3 Tips on creating success with PIM throughout the organization

PIM

You probably know it. A product or product line changes and you spend a lot of time manually updating various spreadsheets, files, websites, catalogs, presentations and more. It takes time and most people have experienced missing one or more items, or even entering incorrect information along the way. And it will certainly not be easier if the responsibility for the different channels is shared between different departments or roles. You think there should be a smarter way to handle these amounts of information - and this is where PIM comes into the picture.

What is PIM?

A PIM solution collects and structures all product information in one system, a product database that connects your ERP system with all channels that contain data. A system that allows you to work and update data and easily export the changes to all places where they are to be used, e.g. physical folders, websites, e-commerce solutions, in-store displays, ERP systems, etc.

Creates added value everywhere

But an effective PIM solution is not only a system, it is also a strategic advantage. It goes without saying that you save a huge amount of time by maintaining and managing all product information in one place. But the benefits go further. Because defective product information costs more than most people think and PIM not only raises the bar for every commercial part of your company. Correctly implemented, PIM will offer added value for the entire company.

The data organization can be trusted

With PIM you can streamline and automate your processes and effectively distribute data to all relevant channels. At the same time, you can unambiguously assign data ownership and ensure transparency and overview throughout the company. This makes the organization simple and transparent and all employees can rely on the data with which they are in contact. The data quality has been significantly improved and can also be felt in your warehouse and customer service, which will quickly experience fewer returns and fewer time-consuming questions from customers.

Sell more

PIM also means that the company has a much faster time-to-market and can expand a range much faster to both old and new markets. And in fact, some companies implementing PIM are also experiencing a sales increase. Partly because the growth of e-commerce places higher demands on product information - and the better your product data, the easier customers can shop with you online. And then PIM also facilitates working with product texts that ultimately determine which products Google finds first. Last but not least, PIM offers a solid bridge to external platforms, such as online market places, which are becoming increasingly important for both B2B and B2C companies.Over het algemeen zijn er veel voordelen uit te halen als u wat verder kijkt dan Product Management bij het tekenen van de lijnen voor de PIM-oplossing.

3 good tips for PIM

But how do you do that? We have combined our experience in 3 good tips:

1 - Also map the supporting processes

Although the company's product managers will soon enjoy a more efficient PIM workflow, there can be great potential to also map and optimize the supported work processes so that the solution is anchored throughout the company. Look for example. on the interfaces between product development and purchasing, or between production and stock. We often notice that PIM can do much more than most people think.

2 - Involve the right people from the start

It is vital that key people from all major business areas and processes are involved from the start and that they are well informed of where the solution will take the business. Employees who have to work with PIM in their daily life must always be involved and be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel from the beginning. In addition to product managers, marketing and IT, the project must also involve employees - think broadly and completely from product development to sales and marketing.

3 - Think PIM for intern and extern

Work on product information must be based on your own organization and customer needs, so always keep both yourself and customers in mind. The PIM solution must be intuitive and user-friendly for employees who work with the system - and at the same time reflect the needs and wishes of customers for information. Clear KPIs based on customer value also ensure that your benchmarks actually increase the entire company and that you get the expected ROI on your investment.