What is product information management?

Product information management (PIM) is the centralized organization and content enrichment of product-related information for the customer's multi-channel needs.

It is used to manage, for example, technical product information, marketing descriptions, videos, user manuals and illustrations, which are published, for example, in the online store and other digital channels or in physical catalogs, offers and store materials.

Product information management - who benefits from it?

Systematic product information management benefits the company's employees, retailers as well as current and future customers too. Product information is often built as a collaboration between different operators. With centralized product information management, the information can be found up-to-date in one place, from where it can be easily and quickly updated and published to all channels.

Benefits of centralized product information management:

The information is stored and maintained once in one place
Building and automating processes becomes easier
Building connections becomes easier and the number of integration points decreases
Managing and growing selections and data quality management becomes easier
The right information is available to everyone who needs it - easily and quickly
Product information can be published from one source to all necessary systems and services

Why product information management is challenging?

Product information management is a challenge in many companies. The problem is that product information is scattered in different departments and in different systems. The same information is maintained in many different places, there are several different versions of the product information, and some of the information is always outdated or incorrect. The increase in the amount of information, the digitization of business, e-commerce and multi-channels bring an additional challenge to the management and utilization of information. Without a clear data management model, efficient processes and functional tools, the organization does not have a single view of products and all product information. The acquisition, enrichment and distribution of product information to different channels is also inefficient.

Centralized product information management helps:

To gather basic product information and technical product information from ERP, PDM and PLM platforms
To offer good ideas for marketing planning and content production
To guide content management workflows
To enrich product information for good discoverability and search engine optimization
To localize product range, taking into account the languages and regulations of different markets
To channel product information for websites, online stores, checkout systems, industry-specific databases such as Synkka, and public marketplaces such as Amazon
To ensure high-quality and up-to-date product content in all channels and materials
To update product information to all publishing channels automatically

When product information is consistent, comprehensive, up-to-date and sellable:

Your products can be found in electronic services and search engines
Your customers, partners and staff can trust the information they see
You remove obstacles to sales and improve conversion rates
You reduce the number of complaints and unnecessary investigation work
You serve your internal and external customers better - in all channels and meeting points
The digital foundation of your product range is in order and you can focus your efforts on the development of other strategic and operational success factors

How do you manage an assortment of thousands of products across different channels?

Step 1. Collect product information and import it into the PIM system

Product information management starts with collecting product information from different sources. The information can be used from all existing sources, both own and those of suppliers.

Product information can be imported into the PIM system in many different ways: with REST API interfaces, with the help of integrations, by downloading Excel tables, by entering directly or through various portals.

Step 2. Enrich product information

In the Adeona PIM-system, product information is supplemented with images, texts, feature information and attachments.

At the same time, selections, categorizations, product connections and product structures, as well as other commercially important product information are directed to all sales and service channels - channel-specific.

Step 3. Publish to channels

The finished products are automatically published on countless channels in both print and digital form. When information is published from a single source, it is always accurate and up-to-date.

In addition, it is easier to ensure that the customer receives exactly the right information in the right context along the customer path.