What Is PIM in Content Management?

Organizations looking to improve their customer experiences through product information management (PIM) software may struggle to distinguish between PIM and product content management (PCM) solutions. Are both solutions necessary? Isn't a PCM enough?

A product content management solution is designed to enrich the customer journey. It is focused on leading the potential buyer through the purchasing process. For example, a product's composition may differentiate it from the competition. A product content strategy may use that feature to attract shoppers, while product information would specify the materials that make up the product.

Product information management software organizes all product data into a central location, establishing a single source of truth. Whether it's publishing a product catalog or delivering a presentation, employees draw data from the same source for accurate and consistent information across all channels.

In essence, a PIM solution focuses on information, while a PCM targets experience.

What Is PIM in Content Management?

A PIM system simplifies the retrieval of product data. It centralizes information so that end users can collaboratively store, modify, and manage product content. Consolidating information such as the following ensures that all materials use the same curated data.

• Product Reviews and Ratings

• Warranty Information

• Compliance Data

• Product Descriptions and Specifications

If a PIM solution includes a digital asset management (DAM) tool, organizations can manage product information and digital assets such as product images and how-to videos from the same system through a single interface.

What Is a PIM Used For?

PIM software is more than a centralized database of product information. The best PIM solutions provide the following functionality.

• Customization. PIM software allows businesses to create reusable curated data for different audiences. Employees can quickly draw from pre-existing materials that target a specific market segment.

• Multichannel Delivery. Organizations often struggle with consistent information across multiple delivery channels. With a PIM, users pull from the same centralized data, ensuring accurate information whether in a product catalog or an online store.

• Data Quality. Product information management software helps control the quality of data being stored. It incorporates quality standards to ensure data consistency and accuracy.

• Navigation. The top PIM tools in market have comprehensive search capabilities for rapid data retrieval. They support easy-to-navigate tools that facilitate the creation of product materials.

• Version Control. PIMs that offer version control make it easy to identify who made the latest changes and what is the most current information. Tracking changes ensures accountability and reduces the accidental use of dated information.

Top PIM solutions, like Lumavate, allow companies to leverage their digital assets and product information by combining PCM, PIM, and DAM functionality in a single platform.

What Is an Example of a PIM?

The size of the PIM market is expected to reach $19.47 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.30 percent through 2029. The need for companies to organize their product information is propelling growth. With increased market size comes an influx of solutions that vary in their ability to meet the needs of the end user. The following are a few examples of the top 10 PIM software products.

Akeneo PIM

Akeneo PIM is a cloud-native solution that includes product experience management capabilities. It can be integrated with other Akeneo tools using application programming interfaces (API). Although the Community or entry-level tier is free, the second or Growth tier starts at $25,000 annually. An Enterprise level is available.

Acquia PIM

Acquia began operations as the support arm for Drupal, an open-source content management solution. Acquia provided support, services, and product enhancements for enterprise-level Drupal users. Its PIM solution is based on Drupal. The company has added to its product offerings with the acquisition of Widen in 2021 and Monsido in 2023.

Salsify PIM

Salsify's first tools were designed to help companies manage e-commerce sales. Since 2012, it has expanded its capabilities to include PIM, DAM, and Product Experience Management (PXM) functionality. Its data-sharing features are designed to help large retailers scale their processes across widespread distribution networks.

PIMcore

PIMcore is another solution that offers a free open-source version for entry-level organizations. All other versions require a subscription. Its solution includes managing product information, digital assets, and master data. The software can scale and interface to other enterprise software, such as customer relationship management and business intelligence solutions.

Lumavate

Lumavate is a product experience platform with built-in PIM and DAM functionality. Its digital experience platform allows users to pull from the PIM and DAM to create personalized customer experiences. It supports granularity down to every SKU and offers custom attributes to make product data more searchable. The platform was purpose-built for manufacturers and their product management teams.

What Is PIM in Product Management?

Product Management is a function in product development teams that focuses on product life cycles. Part of product management workflows includes managing product information. In many instances, product information management is absorbed into the product manager role.

Product managers develop product strategies from the launch of a new product to its retirement. They are responsible for providing accurate information to other departments and partners while maximizing a product's profitability throughout its lifecycle. In many instances, companies are creating product information management roles to lessen the burden on product managers.

Whether a PIM manager or a product manager, the roles need automated tools to make the process more efficient and eliminate the misinformation that often develops as a product matures. That's where PIM solutions like Lumavate can help.

Lumavate's digital experience platform (DXP) combines PIM and DAM functionality to deliver the following:

• Flexibility in product types to separate product lines or products from parts and accessories.

• Granularity down to each SKU

• Accuracy by centralizing data into a single source of truth

• Accountability by tracking user changes

• Efficiency with multi-user access

A comprehensive DXP provides the functionality to deliver engaging experiences. Separate PCM software is unnecessary if the DXP has built-in PIM and DAM capabilities like Lumavate's platform. With Lumavate's solution, product or product information managers can register products, create how-to videos, or publish product catalogs without the stress of possible errors or misstatements. Contact us for a free trial.