IT managers and CIOs: why and how to implement a PIM DAM solution?

Before embarking on the implementation of a solution PIM or DAMsolution, IT managers need to have a clear vision of their organization. Let's take a look at what's at stake with Aurélie Bensch, expert at PIM and the example of Sun Citya manufacturer of licensed products in the fashion sector.

The first points to check on the CIO side

• The possible limitations of your current information system that hinder the fluidity of data exchanges between the different departments. 
• The blocking points in the teams that work with product data on a daily basis and that prevent them from being fully effective.
• Business difficulties that delay the sale of your products on each of your channels. 
• The risk matrix to articulate the different topics collected. 
• The situation at "T", when a company is confronted with the current bottlenecks in product information management, is often the main motivation for initiating a process of reflection PIM.

The main 'pain points' with the example of Sun City

Before the implementation of its software PIM, the manufacturer Sun city had mainly problems of centralization of information in a single tool with all the problems that arise from it: 

• Reduced global visibility on the collection in preparation with each stylist and buyer working on their own files,
•  The process of modifying data is extremely time-consuming when, for example, the same modification has to be distributed to several dozen products, 
• Chaotic management of translations during the creation cycle, with no clear process and, above all, no tools, 
• Marketing and sales data enrichment for a BtoC, or rather BtoBtoC approach impossible with its current tools, 
• Manual management of all visuals and media.

What are the challenges of implementing PIM for IT managers?

Aurélie Bensh, PIM expert at Quable explains that one of the first challenges they face is the integration of the PIM tool into their information system (IS). Often, PIM is integrated into an ERP system that is a bit old or with obsolete processes. The ERP organizes the products in a way that does not allow them to dissociate the products according to the different sites they want to supply. This is one of the reasons why they call on PIM. The goal is to reorganize the data or make sure it is in line with new uses. 

The second challenge is change management. Once PIM is installed, the teams in place must adopt the tool. This requires user guides and workshops. 

Finally, the third challenge is the management of incoming and outgoing data flows within the IS. With PIM, this challenge is met via APIs or flat files/CSVs.

The benefits of a PIM for the business and the teams 

Aurélie distinguishes 3 major advantages to the installation of a solution PIM : 

• The PIM allows to centralize the data from the product sheets with exchanges, contributions, and translations of the data that can be done simultaneously on the same platform, 
• It sends the data to different platforms (marketplaces, e-commerce sites, etc.) in real time and in multiple languages. The tech, digital and marketing teams have access to up-to-date data and can contribute simultaneously, in the same place, on the same product. After this step, the translators can take action and translate the product information, 
• The PIM facilitates collaboration between teams thanks to widgets that highlight the product sheets that require intervention thanks to tags and filters.

Want to learn more about implementing a PIM DAM solution? Download the ebook: IT Managers and CIOs: 4 steps to frame and implement your PIM