What Is the Meaning of PIM Programs?

What Does PIM Stand For?

PIM stands for Product Information Management. This refers to the process of managing all types of product information that is generally required to market and sell products, as well as to provide follow-up services. Product information management is usually accomplished by centralizing all product information into a single location. This allows for the most effective management as well as access by multiple authorized users across the organization.

What Is The Meaning of PIM Programs?

PIM programs are software that enables companies to most effectively manage their product information. PIM programs operate by centrally storing and managing all kinds of product data. Some examples of the product data that PIM programs use includes product descriptions, pricing, features, benefits, dimensions, functionality and stock keeping units or SKUs. Digital assets like product photos, how-to videos, owner's manuals and spec sheets can be included in the product information. However, in order to ensure PIM programs are equipped to handle these assets, it's important to make sure a PIM solution has built-in Digital Asset Management (DAM) functionality.

PIM programs provide the companies that use them with a few distinct advantages. One is that it allows multiple users to log into the software at the same time from different places. It also ensures that product data can be kept up to date in real time. Overall, PIM programs function as a single source of truth for all product information. When employed correctly, they allow a company to keep all of their product information accurate and accessible.

Why Do I Need a PIM?

A PIM solution is an invaluable tool for many industries, but there are few that find it more central to success than manufacturing. Today, many companies in the manufacturing industry continue to follow outdated information management techniques. Many manufacturing companies continue to keep their data stored in spreadsheets, in various shared file folders on a company's network, or even on an individual's hard drive. This leads to a scenario where there are multiple locations for any asset, from a product image to a specs sheet. With all of the information so spread out and decentralized, it is impossible both to effectively manage this critical information, and to keep it updated.

By choosing a PIM solution a company gives itself access to a broad array of product information management tools. These tools provide companies with numerous benefits over attempting to organize product data using old fashioned methods like spreadsheets.

Benefits of Adopting a PIM Solution

1. Having a Centralized Location for All Product Data: The key to a PIM solution is having a single place to store all product data. It is from this central idea that the many benefits of having a PIM solution flow.

2. Ease of Updating All Product Data: In addition to keeping all product information in a single location, a PIM solution also allows for real-time updates to product information to happen across the board. Because all of the information is kept in a single location, all updates happen seamlessly for all data.

3. Boost Accessibility to Product Data: By keeping all product information stored in a centralized location, it is easy to grant permission to users to access the data they need to do their job properly. This is not just within the company, but can include brand partners as well.

4. Increasing Brand Consistency: The seamless updates and increased access means that accuracy and brand consistency will be up.

5. Allow Multiple Users to Access Data: PIM solutions allow for many users to seamlessly access the data simultaneously wherever they are located.

6. Increase Customer Satisfaction: More accuracy and better access means that customers will have better access to correct information before, during and after the buying process.

7. Product Information Management Tools: Many PIM solutions offer an array of product information management tools that can allow additional functionality to how you search, organize, manage and access your company's product information.

Who Uses PIM Software?

The truth is that PIM software is used by a wide array of industries, including manufacturers, retailers, distributors and any other company that depends on product information. A PIM system is invaluable for any company that needs to centralize the management of product information across the company. Oftentimes, it is the marketing team or product management team that takes on the main task of installing and operating the PIM system, if the company does not have a specific team dedicated to this task. However, even though the PIM software is managed overall by a single department, it's important to remember that there are many departments and individuals within the company who benefit from using the PIM system. Everyone from sales to customer support, product management, and marketing all have to use the PIM system regularly.