IT managers: their key role in a successful PIM project

In today's increasingly digital world, the role of the IT Manager has changed. In the past, he or she was mainly concerned with maintaining and ensuring the smooth running of systems. Today, they are at the heart of the company's digital transformation strategy. Why this change? Because digital technology is everywhere, and companies need to adopt innovative technologies to keep pace.

IT no longer simply "runs" systems. It now drives major, strategic projects that have a direct impact on business performance and agility. 

In this new environment, PIM (Product Information Management) is a key tool for staying competitive. By centralizing and enhancing product information, it closely involves IT teams. They ensure data quality, consistency and availability, contributing to a better customer experience and sustained growth.

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What is an IT Manager?

The IT Manager (or Information Systems Manager) occupies a strategic position within the company. He or she is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the IT infrastructure, business software, security systems and, more broadly, the organization's entire digital ecosystem.

His role is not limited to technical management: he acts as an interface between business teams, general management and external service providers. He or she ensures that the solutions implemented meet the company's concrete needs, while respecting security, performance and regulatory compliance constraints.

They supervise technological choices, manage digital projects, support users and anticipate future developments. In an increasingly data-driven environment, the IT Manager has become a veritable conductor of digital transformation.

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The key skills of an IT manager

To carry out their mission successfully, IT Managers need a wide range of technical and human skills.

From a technical standpoint, he or she is proficient in information systems, software architectures, cybersecurity, cloud computing and data-related issues. He/she must be able to design a coherent, scalable and secure architecture, capable of interfacing with various tools (ERP, CRM, PIM, CMS, etc.).

But beyond technical skills, he or she must be an excellent project manager, able to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams and follow a precise schedule. They must also know how to communicate effectively, explain technical concepts to non-specialists, and support business teams through change.

Finally, its strategic role requires excellent management of priorities, the ability to stand back and anticipate the impact of technological choices on the company's overall performance.

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The relationship between IT managers and PIM

PIM at the heart of omnichannel strategy

PIM (Product Information Management) is much more than just a tool for managing product data sheets: it's a fundamental part of a company's omnichannel strategy. By centralizing all product data (descriptions, visuals, technical characteristics, regulatory information, translations, etc.), PIM makes it possible to structure and distribute consistent, reliable and up-to-date information across all channels.

This applies equally to e-commerce sites, marketplaces, mobile applications, paper catalogs and physical distribution networks. A high-performance PIM helps to increase productivity, speed up time-to-market and deliver a more fluid, engaging customer experience.

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The role of the IT manager in a PIM project

In a PIM project, the IT Manager plays a decisive role right from the start. He or she participates in the choice of solution (SaaS or on-premise), taking into account security, scalability, budget and interfacing with existing tools.

It then manages the technical integration of the PIM with the other components of the information system: ERP, CMS, DAM, CRM, MDM, etc. He or she must guarantee reliable, automated data flows that comply with defined business rules.

Data quality also depends heavily on the IT Manager's actions: format control, import/export management, synchronization monitoring, etc. Finally, the IT Manager provides technical support to business teams, to ensure smooth adoption of the tool. Finally, the IT Manager provides technical support to business teams, to ensure smooth adoption of the tool.In a PIM project, the IT Manager plays a decisive role from the earliest stages. He or she participates in the choice of solution (SaaS or on-premise), taking into account security, scalability, budget and interfacing with existing tools.

It then manages the technical integration of the PIM with the other components of the information system: ERP, CMS, DAM, CRM, MDM, etc. He or she must guarantee reliable, automated data flows that comply with defined business rules.

Data quality also relies heavily on his actions: format control, import/export management, synchronization monitoring. Finally, he provides technical support to business teams, to ensure smooth adoption of the tool.