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With our neutral PIM consulting you keep the overview in the PIM selection.

With a powerful PIM system, you create the basis for a convincing product experience.

Product Information Management (PIM) is an integral part of efficient processes in the development, production and marketing of industrial and consumer goods. A PIM system has a central role in this. Due to growing globalization, digitalization, regulation and changing buying habits, the relevance of rich product data has once again increased significantly in recent years. More extensive product ranges, cross-selling and up-selling, internationalization and a multitude of sales channels are further accelerating this development.

With the increased demands on the management of product data, PIM systems have also been significantly developed. Today, many PIM providers already offer comprehensive functions as standard. From open source to enterprise solutions, there is a wide range of PIM systems. The focus of all solutions is on creating a solid basis for automated onboarding, efficient maintenance and channel-specific derivation of product data.

Product Information Management supports the entire life cycle of a product. Three overarching business processes are distinguished in the PIM system.

Input-Management

Procurement of product data

A PIM system obtains product data from a wide variety of systems and departments. On the IT side, there are usually interfaces to systems such as PLM/PDM and ERP. For retailers, tools for onboarding supplier data are added.

The driver of Product Information Management is to capture all product-relevant data only once. Therefore, product information is automatically consolidated in a central location, the PIM system. Of course, imports of exchange formats, tables, etc. are also possible. When integrating data from external sources, the product data is transferred to the internal product classification. This classification is initially developed and mapped in the data model of the PIM system.

The input management functions are developed to varying degrees in PIM systems. When selecting a PIM, the onboarding of data is a very relevant criterion.

Data-Management

Enrichment of product data

The enrichment of product data is of central importance in the PIM value chain. Configurable quality gates in the PIM system quickly bring transparency to the status of product information. Missing attributes can be added be added in a convenient manner. The inheritance of attributes simplifies data maintenance if an intelligent classification is stored in the PIM.

Product data management also includes the processes for product texts, media production and translation. Here, too, efficiency can be increased by using AI-based tools such as Retresco, Creative Force or Pixyle. Interfaces can be further simplified if the tools for content sourcing are controlled via middleware such as prorizon.

All processes and tasks can be controlled by configurable workflows, and the respective status can be displayed in a clear dashboard.

Publication-Management

Rejection of product data

In order to market products effectively to customers, i.e. to turn product information into a product experience, channels or touchpoints are required. These can include an APP, an online store, marketplaces, stores, B2B catalogs, or print advertising media. The variety of output channels and their specific requirements demand a wide range of export formats and interfaces from the PIM systems. These should always be easy to configure in order to avoid complex programming.

In order to automatically generate complex representations of tables in print formats, for example, a so-called print engine may be required. The engine links the data feed of the PIM with a layout program such as Indesign. The function is comparable to the front end of an online store. Here, too, attributes, texts, and images are derived into defined placeholders.

Standard classifications have been developed for numerous technical industries for the error-free and efficient exchange of product data. These include ETIM and ECLASS. These formats can be output by most PIM systems.

Product Information Management (PIM) also opens up comprehensive advantages for your company.

Increase in conversion rate and average order value

With inspiring and informative product data, you make it easier for your customers and business partners to decide in favor of your product. Comprehensive content has long since become a competitive advantage. Especially in the case of comparable brand products, the presentation is decisive when prices and services are on the same level. With sets, styling tips and product recommendations that you can easily control via your PIM software, you create additional buying impulses. This is how you achieve a superior product experience.

Simplified market entry and shortened time-to-market

With the introduction of a PIM system, you also prepare the basis for opening up additional markets and target groups. For example, your product information can be quickly supplemented with additional attributes for control or translations for new countries. Automation and efficient processes greatly reduce the effort required to set up and maintain products. Lead times are reduced. This means that products can be marketed much sooner than without Product Information Management (PIM).

Single-point-of-truth für Produktdaten und deren Pflege

By using a PIM system, you ensure that your product data is always up-to-date in all channels. Even product-relevant data that is not maintained in PIM, for example from the ERP system, is displayed in PIM. This gives you full transparency in one central location. The presentation via transparent dashboards and integrated data quality management makes the PIM system the central information system in purchasing, sales and marketing.

Reduction of returns and write-offs

Reducing the returns rate is a crucial economic lever. Returns are also caused by inadequate illustrations, texts and material descriptions. They can be reduced through excellent management of product data. Detailed product descriptions and visualization, defined in the content design, prevent customer disappointment. This also avoids high costs for logistics, processing of returns or even their recycling.

Cost savings through efficiency gains and automation

A PIM system reduces the effort required for the procurement, maintenance and provision of product data. Manual work is reduced, multiple imports and exports of exchange formats are eliminated. Much product information is transferred directly from the ERP system or product development. Your teams regain concentration and important working time. This can be profitably used for the further development of data management and the increase of data quality.

Provision of data for traders, marketplaces and portals

Due to the diversification of sales channels and touchpoints, the provision of product data to external parties is becoming increasingly relevant. Retailers, associations and marketplaces have specific requirements for the scope and structure of product information. These are met by the PIM system quickly, easily and without errors. This is done either via an API interface or defined exchange formats such as BMEcat or CSV. Standard classifications are also taken into account during output.

forbeyond - your experienced partner for neutral PIM consulting.

In order to fully exploit the added value of product data, we pursue a holistic consulting approach in PIM projects. In addition to an inspiring and structured content design, we also clarify questions of IT integration, among other things. Another focus is on the organizational embedding of PIM in the company. Experienced PIM consultants accompany you in the consistent implementation of your product data strategy, from strategy to conception to realization.

The selection and introduction of a future-proof PIM system is, of course, of central importance. Our process model has been tried and tested many times and is the basis of successful PIM projects. In recent years, we have been able to prove time and again that we can adapt very quickly to specific issues, new industries and a wide variety of business models. Our references include many key players in the market. Convince yourself of the advantages of forbeyond's neutral PIM consulting.

[Translate to Englisch:] Product stories well told. Auswahl vom PIM-System ist Teil unserer DNA.

Bootcamp: Starting signal for your PIM project

We tailor the focus of our bootcamps to your individual challenges. In intensive workshop modules, you and your team launch your product data strategy within two days. Now in the affordable all-in package.

Analysis & conception: your future PIM ecosystem

Working closely with your teams, we uncover weaknesses in today's product data management. Requirements are recorded. With a view to business model and strategy, the target picture of your Product Information Management (PIM) is created. Start now.

System selection: Finding the needle in the haystack

The market of PIM providers has grown dynamically. There are many good solutions with comprehensive standard functions. The optimal PIM system for you is always the one that perfectly meets your requirements and supports the company's strategy. We help with the selection.

Implementation: The path to a successful Golive

To ensure neutral PIM consulting at a high level, we have decided against fixed partnerships with PIM providers. Even though we do not provide implementation in the sense of programming, we accompany and manage the PIM implementation. We ensure quality, budget and timing.

Every company has unique requirements. The "best" PIM system is always the one that optimally meets these requirements. A PIM comparison is worthwhile in any case.

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