Top 10 PIM Software

Accurate and consistent product information will take your business to the next level. After a certain point, your marketing dollars will combine with the same investment you are making in your product line.

Product Information Management (PIM) software is a best-in-class solution that combines your marketing efforts with your product information. It helps you better understand and create a message that your client-facing team can deliver to your customers.

Join us as we explore the best free PIM software, the best PIM tools in market, PIM software examples, and the top PIM software companies that you should keep your eye on.

What Is PIM In Software?

If you have ever felt like your product information is scattered across your company, you are not alone. Having access to information is crucial for making proper decisions in a timely manner, which can affect the going concern of your business.

Product information management is the process of managing all types of product information — descriptions, codes (SKUs), features, pricing — that are required to market, sell and service your products.

This also includes everything from detailed descriptions and technical specifications to high-resolution product photos and even how-to videos or owner's manuals.

The key benefit of PIM is centralization. Storing all your product information in one place makes it easily accessible and manageable for everyone in your organization who needs it.

This means marketing teams can create accurate product descriptions for website updates, sales reps can access the latest specs to close deals with confidence, and customer support can answer customer inquiries with ease.

No more scrambling for the right information or relying on outdated details. PIM ensures everyone is working with the most up-to-date product information, streamlining workflows and eliminating errors. In the next section, we'll explore the many benefits of using a PIM system and how it can transform the way you manage product information.

Who Uses PIM Software?

The PIM methodology is primarily used by the manufacturing, consumer-packaged goods, and medical device industry.

However, product information management software isn't just for companies that make things. Manufacturers use PIM to manage product details like descriptions, codes (SKUs), features, and pricing. PIM benefits many other businesses as well.

Some great examples include retailers, distributors, and any company that sells physical products. A PIM system is a centralized location for all your product information, keeping everything organized and accessible. This means everyone in your company can be on the same page, from marketing and sales to customer support.

The marketing team is the primary owner of a PIM system, but will need the help of your subject matter experts in order to communicate the latest features.

Your marketing team will flourish if it has the latest product descriptions for website updates, while the sales and customer services teams have accurate specs to share with potential and recurring customers. PIM makes this a reality by ensuring everyone can access the most up-to-date product information in one place.

What Is PIM Used For?

While many PIM solutions have different bells and whistles, the core principle of PIM is simple: a single source of truth for all your product data. This means every detail about your products, from technical specs and functionality to high-quality images and instructional videos, resides in one centralized location.

Here's why this matters: accessibility and accuracy. With a PIM system, everyone in your company who needs product information – marketing crafting website descriptions, sales teams closing deals, or customer support answering inquiries – has easy access to the most up-to-date details: no more information silos or outdated documents leading to confusion.

The best PIM software goes a step further, combining a powerful database for managing product data with built-in Digital Asset Management (DAM) functionality. This means seamless storage and organization of all your product visuals, images, videos, and more, alongside the corresponding product information.

Product information system examples can be compared to a beautifully organized library, where every book (product data) is neatly shelved and accompanied by relevant multimedia resources (digital assets).

This system makes it easy for employees to find the information they need, increasing the likelihood of accurate product details being used in marketing materials, sales resources, and everywhere else product information is required.

What Are PIM Platforms?

Your product information – descriptions, stock keeping units (SKUs), features, pricing, and the whole nine-yards – shouldn't be scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and dusty filing cabinets.

PIM platforms help you consolidate this data into a meaningful way that is shared across your entire organization.

A PIM's primary purpose is to act as a centralized hub for all your product data. Companies like Plytix, Pimcore, Salsify, Inriver, and, of course, Lumavate offer PIM solutions that allow you to store and manage everything related to your products in one secure location.

As mentioned earlier, this includes product descriptions (SKUs), features, pricing, and even digital assets like product photos, how-to videos, owner's manuals, training videos, and spec sheets.

Although PIMs are great for the manufacturing and CPG industry, it's not just for manufacturers. Any company that sells physical products (retailers, distributors, channel partners) can benefit from a PIM solution. It ties it all together and makes sure everyone working with product information has access to the most accurate and up-to-date details. No more scrambling for the latest product specs or relying on outdated information.

The need for PIM is only growing. The PIM market size is expected to balloon from $12.2 billion in 2022 to a whopping $23.8 billion by 2027. This explosive growth reflects the increasing importance of accurate and consistent product information and translating this data digitally so that it can be easily shared and accessed.

In short, a PIM solution changes the entire dynamic of your brand if you're dealing with product information. It streamlines workflows, eliminates errors, and empowers you to deliver a superior customer experience.

What Is an Example of a PIM?

While many mimics are on the market, a PIM solution is extremely comprehensive. Certain types of tools have some of the functionality of a PIM, but the core functionalities should remain: a way to centralize your source of truth and connect departments so that it prevents data silos and fragmentation.

Which of the following is PIM software? All of them contain elements of PIM software, with the exception of one holistic solution: Lumavate. The following list of PIM software companies are among the top ten on the market:

Akeneo PIM

Known for its user-friendly interface and focus on open-source technology, Akeneo PIM empowers businesses to centralize product data and streamline product information workflows. It's a great choice for companies seeking an open and customizable PIM solution.

Acquia PIM

Part of the Acquia Marketing Cloud, Acquia PIM offers a robust solution specifically designed for B2B companies. It excels at managing complex product data structures and integrates seamlessly with other Acquia marketing tools. If you're a B2B company entrenched in the Acquia ecosystem, this could be a perfect fit.

Salsify PIM

A leader in the enterprise PIM space, Salsify boasts a powerful platform built for handling massive product data volumes. They offer advanced features like omnichannel product experience management and potent analytics. Salsify is ideal for large companies with complex product information needs.

Plytix PIM

Designed with ease of use in mind, Plytix PIM is a great option for businesses getting started with PIM. It offers core data management functionalities at a budget-friendly price point. If you're a small to medium-sized business looking for a straightforward PIM solution, Plytix is worth considering.

Pimcore PIM

This open-source PIM solution provides a high degree of customization, allowing businesses to tailor it to their specific needs. Pimcore also offers strong data modeling capabilities, making it a good choice for companies with complex product information structures. If you have a strong development team and require a highly customizable solution, Pimcore could be a good fit.

Lumavate

While these PIM solutions offer various functionalities, Lumavate goes a step further. It's not just a PIM system; it's a comprehensive Digital Experience Platform (DXP) that integrates seamlessly with PIM and Digital Asset Management (DAM) functionalities.

Here's why Lumavate should be your top choice:

• Unmatched Simplicity: Forget complex implementations and lengthy learning curves. Lumavate is built for marketers. Its user-friendly interface allows you to start creating digital product experiences within days, not months.

• All-in-One Solution: Say goodbye to the hassle of managing multiple point solutions. Lumavate integrates PIM, DAM, DXP, text messaging, and form building into a single platform. This streamlines your workflow, saves you time and money, and eliminates the need for complex integrations.

• Unbeatable Cost-Effectiveness: Lumavate delivers exceptional value compared to competitors. Starting at just $499 per month, you get a comprehensive PXM platform that packs a punch. Plus, with its rapid implementation and reduced reliance on technical resources, Lumavate minimizes hidden costs.

• Exceptional Customer Service: Lumavate prioritizes your success. Their dedicated customer support team is readily available to answer your questions and guide you through every step of the process.

• Proven Results: Many companies are already experiencing the Lumavate advantage. Within days of getting started, our customers launch beautiful digital product guides and expand their use of Lumavate across their entire marketing and sales operations.

Is Shopify a PIM System?

Shopify is a fantastic platform for building your online store. It allows you to manage product listings, including supervising and accessing important details like descriptions, pricing, and images or videos However, Shopify is designed specifically for eCommerce, meaning the product information it stores is primarily for showcasing products online.

Product information management goes beyond basic eCommerce needs. It is a single source of truth for all your product data, including comprehensive descriptions, technical specifications, high-resolution product photos, and even how-to videos or owner's manuals.

This information is valuable not just for online sales, but for every department in your company and relies on one another to achieve a conducive and cohesive business environment full of growth and potential.

Here is a physical comparison to illustrate the two. Shopify is a beautifully designed storefront window that showcases your products to the world. But PIM is the well-organized stockroom behind the scenes, where everything you need about your products is readily available.

As you may have guessed from the example, companies using Shopify can greatly benefit from a PIM solution. A PIM allows you to centralize all your product information, including details not relevant to online sales.

Then, you can seamlessly integrate your PIM with Shopify so that your online store displays the most up-to-date and accurate product information. This approach entrusts your entire organization with the decision-making power it needs and provides improvements that translate to a superior customer experience.

How Do I Choose a PIM System?

So, you've realized the power of PIM and are ready to dive in. Before doing so, you'll want to conduct some due diligence with your team. With a whole sea of PIM solutions out there, how do you choose the perfect one for your business?

Here are five key questions to consider before making your final decision:

1. What Features and Functionality Do You Need?

Think about your product information management goals. Do you need a central hub to store basic product details? Or are you looking for a more powerful solution with features like digital asset management, workflow automation, or advanced reporting analytics?

Choosing product information management software with functionalities that perfectly align with your needs will guarantee you get the most out of your investment.

2. Connecting the Dots Through Integration In Your Ecosystem

Chances are, your PIM won't exist as the only standalone piece of software in your organization. Consider the other systems you use daily – marketing automation tools, your CRM, your fulfillment channels, your follow-up systems, or your e-commerce platform.

Does the PIM you're considering offer seamless integrations with these systems? Simplifying data flow between platforms saves you time and ensures all your product information stays consistent across the board.

3. Putting Every Part of Your Product Information Management to Work

How will your product information be used? Will it power your website, product pages, mobile apps, printed catalogs, or all of the above? Understanding how you'll use product information will help you choose a PIM that provides the necessary output options and formats for your specific use cases.

4. Budget Considerations For The Entire Initiative

PIM solutions come with varying price tags. Defining a realistic budget for your PIM implementation is important before you start shopping. This will help you narrow your options so that you choose a solution that fits your financial constraints or investment needs.

5. Time and Attention: Allocating Your Resources

Are you facing a tight deadline for implementing a PIM solution? Some solutions require lengthy configuration processes, while others, like Lumavate, can be implemented in less than a day. Knowing your ideal timeline will help you prioritize solutions that can be up and running quickly if that's a critical factor for your business.

Of course, the best time is yesterday, but give yourself some leeway and discuss with your team about how quickly you need something that works well.

PIM: Simply the First Step

A Product information management tool of any kind is a must-have for many manufacturers or industries that handle or produce physical products. Adobe inDesign, Microsoft Excel and a suite of other tools just won't cut it in the long run.

Your company will require a dedicated centralized solution that can move everything from those dusty filing cabinets and the hard drives of your individual staff into a place that everyone can access.

Centralizing your product information is important as it should translate into digital assets and digital experiences.

For example, Lumavate is a comprehensive Product Experience Management (PXM) solution that contains DAM and DXP functionalities. It allows you to use product information and their related digital assets to create stunning digital experiences that will make a lasting impact on your customers.

With Lumavate, you don't need to have any IT experts on hand to create awesome content for customers, like eye-catching product guides or presentations. It's easy – the DXP connects to your PIM and DAM, letting you grab the latest product information, videos, and still assets in record time.

You get all of the upside, with none of the confusing technical aspects that are associated with digital experiences.

See the Lumavate Difference

While a PIM solution is the first step, the best PIM solution will include a comprehensive range of tools that can help you unify your marketing and product efforts. A PXM is a strong way to build a brand all in one place.

You need a way to easily share and use that data in digital experiences, printed materials, and marketing efforts. Most PIM solutions require integrations or custom development to achieve this.

Lumavate goes beyond PIM, offering a complete PXM platform. Its built-in DXP seamlessly connects to the PIM and DAM functionality, allowing you to create dynamic digital product experiences in minutes. This eliminates the need for technical resources and empowers marketers to take control.

Experience the power of Lumavate firsthand. Book your free 14-day trial to explore the platform's capabilities. Lumavate also offers personalized demos, allowing you to see how it can address your specific needs.

With Lumavate, you have everything you need to centralize your product data, create captivating digital experiences, and empower your marketing and sales teams to achieve greater success. Take control of your product story today and start your free trial of Lumavate!