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3 ways to source product information

There’s a growth in eCommerce, hybrid, and brick-‘n-mortar businesses far and wide choosing to implement PIM systems as the cornerstone of digitising their product information management. After all, accurate, up-to-date and complete product data is a critically important component of a high-quality customer experience. That’s why, whether you are a retailer, distributor, or manufacturer, sourcing reliable product data in the first place is the foundation of any effective strategy for using a PIM system to its full capabilities.

Our article examines three key methods for sourcing product information:

  • Directly from suppliers
  • From specialised data sources
  • Via data pools or warehouses

 

We’ll present a typical use case for each method, demonstrating its benefits for three business models – B2B, B2C, and D2C.

Table of Contents

Sourcing directly from suppliers

Pros:

  • Supplier portal: To optimise data exchange, many businesses use an interface (portal) integrated with the PIM system. This allows suppliers to input, update, and validate product information directly, to ensure that data is accurate, complete, and formatted correctly before being imported into the client’s PIM.
  • Accuracy and specificity: Data sourced from suppliers is often the most accurate, as it comes directly from the product creators.
  • Real-time updates: When suppliers are engaged in a strong partnership, product updates such as new versions or discontinued lines can be communicated immediately.
  • Customisation: Suppliers can offer product data in custom formats that are compatible with the business’s specific PIM system requirements.

Challenges:

  • Inconsistent data quality: Not all suppliers have the systems in place to guarantee high-quality data feeds, which can result in inconsistency in incoming data formats and quality.
  • Time-consuming: Without dedicated supplier portals, businesses with multiple suppliers find that the process of collecting, validating, and integrating product data can be excessively labour-intensive.


Use case: B2B (Manufacturing)

A B2B manufacturing company, sourcing industrial components from various suppliers, can use this approach to ensure its PIM system reflects the most accurate technical specifications. This level of detail is crucial when dealing with industrial products that require precise measurements and technical data. Real-time updates from suppliers help ensure that product information remains current across the company’s digital catalogues and distribution channels.

Utilising specialised data sources

In certain industries, businesses are obliged to meet specific regulatory or industry standards. Specialised data sources provide pre-validated, industry-compliant data for these businesses. These sources often include data formats such as GTINs, EDI in B2B markets, or GDPR-compliant information, ensuring that product information meets strict industry regulations.

Pros:

Regulatory compliance: Specialised data sources guarantee that the data aligns with industry standards and legal requirements, which is particularly important for highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance.

Consistency: These sources typically provide even the most specialised data in a standardised format, reducing the need for additional formatting or adjustments.

Enrichment: Many specialised data providers offer enhanced data, including technical attributes, certifications, or sustainability information, providing additional value.

Challenges:

Cost: Accessing specialised data comes with a financial investment, which can be a stretch for smaller companies.

Limited scope: Specialised data sources are often confined to certain industries or product types, so they may not cover the full range of a given business’s needs.

Use case: B2C (Pharmaceuticals)

A B2C pharmaceutical retailer requires its product data to comply with strict regulations on labelling, safety, and marketing. By sourcing product information from specialised databases, the company ensures that all data complies with local and international health regulations. This approach also helps enrich product listings with crucial information such as dosages, contraindications, and approvals from regulatory bodies.

Purchasing data from data pools or warehouses

Data pools or warehouses provide a scalable solution for businesses looking to source large amounts of product information quickly. These sources aggregate product data from multiple manufacturers, offering businesses a broad range of information that can be purchased and integrated into their PIM systems.

Pros:

  • Scalability: Data pools are ideal for businesses that need to source data for a large volume of SKUs across different categories.
  • Cost-efficiency: For companies handling thousands of SKUs, purchasing data in bulk is far more cost-effective than attempting to manage relationships with each supplier individually.
  • Speed of implementation: Since data pools typically standardise their data, it can be integrated into PIM systems quickly and efficiently.

Challenges:

  • Generic data: Data from pools may not always be as detailed or specific as that sourced directly from suppliers, potentially requiring further enrichment.
  • Inconsistencies: The data quality can vary depending on the source, and there may be delays in updating the data as product information changes over time.


Use case: D2C (Apparel and fashion)

A D2C fashion retailer expanding its product range can utilise data pools to rapidly source data on clothing, accessories, and footwear from various brands. By purchasing this data in bulk, the retailer can quickly populate its online store with product descriptions, images, and SKUs. The scalability of this method allows the retailer to onboard new products and suppliers efficiently, helping to reduce time-to-market and stay competitive.

Final words

At Start with Data, we don’t just help businesses implement PIM systems, we ensure they’re powered by high-quality, structured, and enriched product data. Our product content services include sourcing, structuring, and enriching product information, whether from suppliers, data pools, or specialised sources.

From setting up supplier portals to integrating industry-compliant data, we help retailers, distributors, and manufacturers streamline product data acquisition and ensure it’s accurate, complete, and PIM-ready.

If you’re looking to optimise your product data sourcing strategy, get in touch. We’ll work with you to build a scalable, efficient approach to managing product content that supports your growth, compliance, and digital commerce goals.

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