When a company thinks about when it's worth thinking about centralized commercial product information management, there isn't one right answer, because every company's situation is different. However, this article highlights situations in which the implementation of a PIM system should be considered.

Consideration in this case means an hour or two of explaining how a PIM solution would streamline and enhance the company's product information process, as well as what its implementation would mean in terms of money and time. When the overall picture has been clarified and the facts are known, it is easy to make justified and correct decisions about investment.

The benefits of a PIM system should be considered especially when there are changes in the business environment, when customer expectations for product information increase and a competitive advantage is needed, and when changes are being made to the IT infrastructure. These are the three most common reasons for purchasing a PIM.

1. Perspective: The business environment is changing - find out the benefits now!

Finland's economic climate is currently uncertain, and the outlook for many industries is challenging. This puts even greater pressure on companies to make their operations more efficient and improve their competitiveness. One key means here is increasing digitization and automation in business.

When thinking about when to consider getting a centralized product information management solution, it's worth considering that the right moment might be right now. Adeona PIM users have reported an efficiency jump of up to 50% in product information management. This means that they are able to spend even less time on manual maintenance of product information and can instead invest more resources in strategic business development.

2. Perspective: Customer satisfaction brings a competitive advantage

Digitization not only makes working more efficient, but also reduces human errors produced by manual work. With the help of a centralized product information management solution, the quality of product information improves significantly.

This is not only an internal benefit, but has a direct impact on customer experience and product experience. When your customers receive accurate and reliable information about your products, their satisfaction increases. This, in turn, leads to the development of customer loyalty, long-term customer relationships and, at best, even an improvement of the company's image.

Customers now expect even better customer service, which also puts pressure on product information. Customers' demands for product information are constantly growing: they need accurate and reliably accurate information not only about the product's physical properties, dimensions and materials, but also, for example, customization possibilities, the responsibility of materials and manufacturing methods, or the product's carbon footprint. A company that is able to communicate its products and services openly, clearly and consistently gives a reliable impression of itself.

When your company is able to react quickly and flexibly to customer needs, it is better able to differentiate itself from its competitors. Especially when you take into account the possible change in the business environment and the potentially decreasing market demand, standing out from the competition takes on an even more significant role.

3. Point of view: There is a need for changes in the IT infrastructure

The centralized product information management solution should also be considered when you are planning significant IT infrastructure changes in the company, such as website renewal or ERP reform. In these situations, implementing a PIM solution can be a smart move.

In connection with the ERP update, it is worth thinking about the need for PIM

Especially in connection with an ERP update, it is wise to assess the need for a centralized product information management solution. PIM is quite often smart to integrate commercial product information into a master system, which opens up new opportunities and increases flexibility for product information management. With PIM acting as the master of product information, new products are opened directly into the PIM system. There they can be enriched and supplemented with the necessary information before they are further transferred to the enterprise resource planning system (ERP).

This model makes it easier and faster to open new products. It also considerably reduces the amount of information in the ERP and thus eases the maintenance of the ERP.

Such an approach can make ERP implementation smoother and save costs at the same time. Especially in the longer term, the cost savings can be significant.

Read more on the subject: The PIM system as a master of product information

An e-commerce business requires a PIM solution

Especially when running an e-commerce business, a PIM solution is often an extremely sensible tool. It facilitates the maintenance of the online store and speeds up the reaction to the changing needs of customers. The introduction of PIM in connection with the renewal of the online store enables the online store to retrieve the product contents directly from PIM and the contents of the online store are automatically updated in accordance with the product information changes made in PIM.

Not only can you get product information from PIM directly to your online store, you can also link to the product, for example, pictures, brochures, installation, maintenance and recycling instructions. Accurate and up-to-date product information is vital in online shopping, and PIM can ensure that customers get exactly what they are looking for, which in turn improves their customer experience and increases their desire to buy. Adding new products is also easy, as is linking a service or another product to the product.

Read the customer story: Etra's online store gets more business with search engine visibility

A centralized product information management solution can offer significant benefits to your business, especially when you are considering changes to your IT infrastructure. It can make processes more efficient, save costs and improve the customer experience. Whether it is changes in the business environment, an ERP update or running an online store, a PIM solution can be the key to success.

So don't hesitate to explore the possibilities, hear the experiences of other companies and find out the possibilities of a centralized product information management solution as part of your strategy.