In today’s digital marketplace, change happens at a dizzying pace, so managing your product information effectively is crucial if you’re to attract and keep the attention of your eCommerce customers. Our article dives into Product Information Management (PIM) as a business phenomenon – what it is, its benefits, key features, and how its capabilities can increase your business efficiency, as well as driving substantially increased eCommerce sales. Read on to understand why implementing a PIM is essential for any modern company worth its salt.
PIM: A definition
What is Product Information Management (PIM)?
Product Information Management (PIM) refers to a system that collects, manages, and enriches product information, creating a central repository that can distribute data to various sales channels. A PIM system consolidates all product-related data from different sources, ensuring consistent, accurate, and up-to-date information across websites, catalogs, online marketplaces, and other marketing channels.
A product information management system is not just a static database. It is a living hub for information management that combines structured product data, technical data, product content, and digital assets into a single version of the truth. This ensures that sales teams, eCommerce teams, and marketing teams all work from the same foundation.
Why do companies use PIM?
It streamlines operations and reduce errors
For businesses managing extensive product ranges or dealing with complex product information, PIM systems are indispensable. By centralising product information, PIM software reduces manual data entry errors and ensures product data quality. This efficiency translates into fewer customer complaints, fewer product returns, improved workflows, and enhanced overall productivity.
Without a PIM, companies often rely on spreadsheets or siloed systems, which can quickly create chaos when scaling. A PIM project brings order, structure, and automation, giving companies confidence in their data and enabling teams to focus on growth rather than fixing errors.
It enhances Customer Experience
Accurate and comprehensive product information is crucial for delivering a strong product experience. PIM platforms ensure all product details are consistent across channels, enabling customers to make informed purchasing decisions. This consistency leads to higher customer satisfaction, stronger loyalty, and repeat sales.
In competitive markets where consumers have endless choice, even small errors in product information can harm trust. A PIM platform reduces that risk by ensuring every touchpoint, from eCommerce sites to marketplaces, displays reliable data.
The Benefits of PIM for Modern Business
The benefits of PIM extend well beyond operational efficiency. For every type of business — retailers, distributors, or manufacturers — a PIM project helps align product management, marketing strategies, and commerce operations. It supports sales teams with ready product information and empowers marketing teams with enriched product content.
By improving product data quality, reducing the time required for product launches, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, a PIM solution becomes an essential software solution for any company seeking growth.
Main features of the top PIM solutions in 2025
Omnichannel publishing
A PIM system supports the distribution of product information across multiple sales channels, ensuring each receives the most relevant and accurate data. This capability underpins an omnichannel marketing strategy that delivers consistency throughout the customer journey and avoids fragmented customer experiences.
Automation and AI integration
Modern PIM software solutions integrate automation and AI. Automated workflows reduce repetitive tasks, while AI enriches product descriptions, maps attributes, translates data into multiple languages, and highlights gaps. These features improve product information quality, accelerate onboarding data, and reduce manual workload.
Product relationship management
Strong PIM technology manages product relationships, including bundles, accessories, replacement parts, and variations. This functionality helps companies create compelling product experiences and gives customers clear choices when comparing similar products.
Integration capabilities
PIM software connects with ERP, CMS, DAM, and master data management systems. With smooth integration, businesses avoid silos and build a cohesive product ecosystem that supports sales, marketing, and commerce applications.
SaaS PIM and Composable Commerce
SaaS PIM platforms are cloud-based, scalable, and continuously updated. Combined with composable commerce approaches, SaaS PIM enables companies to adapt quickly by integrating the right PIM alongside other information management solutions. This agility reduces IT overhead, allows flexibility in software selection, and supports future-ready strategies.
How a PIM System boosts eCommerce sales
Faster Time-to-Market
A PIM system accelerates product launches by consolidating all data into one place. Teams no longer need to chase multiple spreadsheets or systems, which means new products reach eCommerce sites and marketplaces faster. The database acts as a single hub, feeding ready product information into all marketing channels.
Improved data quality and consistency
High-quality, consistent information reduces product returns, increases conversions, and builds trust. Customers who find complete product descriptions, accurate specifications, and relevant digital assets are far more likely to buy with confidence. This directly improves product performance and strengthens brand reputation.
Enhanced marketing and personalisation
Marketing teams rely on PIM software to create personalised campaigns. By leveraging enriched product content, marketing strategies can target specific audiences across marketing channels with messaging that resonates. This improves engagement and contributes to measurable sales growth.
Regulatory compliance
In regulated industries such as food, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, PIM platforms ensure accurate product information management and reduce risks of non-compliance. The ability to link digital assets such as certificates or safety datasheets directly with product data helps businesses maintain trust and meet legal obligations.
Impact on sales teams
With centralised ready product information, sales teams gain immediate access to technical data and specifications. This shortens the sales cycle, reduces mistakes, and helps build stronger customer relationships. For B2B companies, this can be a significant competitive advantage.
Impact on eCommerce teams
eCommerce teams often manage thousands of SKUs across multiple sales channels. A PIM platform gives them confidence in data accuracy and enables faster creation of product listings. This frees them to focus on optimising the customer journey and experimenting with new commerce opportunities.
Challenges to address when implementing a PIM
Data migration
Migrating legacy product data into a new PIM platform is complex. Data must be cleaned, normalised, and validated to ensure product information quality. Without a solid data management process, inconsistencies will carry over into the new system.
Integration with existing systems
Poor PIM integration can create bottlenecks. Choosing the right PIM and planning integration with ERP, CMS, and commerce platforms ensures smooth operations. Companies should consider long-term scalability when designing integrations.
User adoption and training
Adoption is often underestimated. Sales teams, marketing teams, and eCommerce teams all need training to understand workflows and applications. Building a PIM strategy that includes change management and user support ensures that teams embrace the system rather than resist it.
Strategy and process alignment
A successful PIM project aligns with the broader business strategy. Governance, workflows, and responsibilities must be clearly defined to ensure the technology delivers measurable value. Without strategic alignment, the benefits of PIM will be limited.
Use cases: PIM for B2B, B2C, and D2C
B2B
Distributors rely on PIM platforms to manage technical data and ensure complex product information is accessible and accurate. This improves efficiency for sales teams and creates trust with customers who need detailed specifications to make purchasing decisions.
B2C
Retailers depend on PIM solutions to manage vast catalogs, digital assets, and product content. By ensuring consistency across marketplaces, eCommerce sites, and print catalogs, they reduce returns, improve customer satisfaction, and strengthen brand reputation.
D2C
Manufacturers and consumer brands use PIM software to maintain accurate product information management solutions across all channels. Whether on their own websites, marketplaces, or social media, PIM ensures product ecosystem consistency and builds direct relationships with customers.
PIM for eCommerce Teams
eCommerce teams require efficiency, accuracy, and automation to succeed. A PIM platform provides the structure needed to handle onboarding data, manage product listings, and coordinate with marketing strategies. With reliable workflows, eCommerce teams can focus on growth and delivering better product experiences.
PIM and Sales Channels
A PIM solution ensures consistency across all sales channels, from eCommerce sites to marketplaces and catalogs. Centralised data ensures that each channel receives enriched product information tailored to its format. This avoids duplication, reduces costs, and increases sales opportunities.
PIM for Marketing and Marketplaces
Marketing impact
Marketing strategies rely heavily on product data and digital assets. With PIM software, marketers gain access to accurate product descriptions and digital assets, enabling them to launch campaigns faster and deliver compelling product experiences to targeted audiences.
Marketplaces impact
On marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and industry-specific platforms, listing requirements are strict. A PIM solution automates the creation of compliant product listings and ensures onboarding data is always correct. This improves visibility, reduces errors, and increases sales.
PIM Strategy for Long-Term Growth
A strong PIM strategy combines people, processes, and technology. Treating product information management as a core discipline allows companies to innovate confidently. With the right PIM, companies can adapt to new sales channels, adjust to customer expectations, and expand into new markets.
PIM and Digital Assets in Commerce
Digital assets such as images, documents, and videos are essential to product management. A PIM system links these assets to product data, ensuring consistency. This integration enhances commerce by allowing marketing channels to deliver rich product experiences, from detailed galleries to downloadable datasheets.
SaaS PIM and Composable Commerce
SaaS PIM software delivers scalability, flexibility, and constant updates. When tied into composable commerce, it provides businesses with the agility to select the best applications for each function. This combination reduces dependency on monolithic systems and allows companies to build an adaptable information management architecture.
PIM for Retailers, Distributors, and Manufacturers
- Retailers: manage product listings and catalogs across eCommerce sites and marketing channels.
- Distributors: depend on accurate onboarding data and information management solutions to deliver reliable product information to B2B customers.
- Manufacturers: standardise product development, manage product content and digital assets, and ensure consistent commerce strategies globally.
Future Outlook: PIM Technology and Business Applications
The future of PIM technology lies in automation, advanced analytics, and deeper integration with marketing channels. Businesses will increasingly use product information management software not only to centralise data but to gain insights into product performance, refine marketing strategies, and improve product management processes.
As companies embrace composable commerce and new applications, PIM platforms will serve as the backbone of their product ecosystem. By focusing on information management solutions, companies can maintain agility and deliver compelling product experiences across every channel.
You need a PIM from 2025 onwards
In 2025, the complexity and scale of product information will only increase. A PIM platform is no longer optional; it is essential. By adopting the right PIM, businesses can manage complex product information, meet regulatory requirements, and deliver superior customer satisfaction.
With automation, integration, and better product information management, companies will unlock stronger product ecosystems and more reliable workflows. From product development to marketing strategies, PIM ensures long-term success in global commerce.
At Start with Data, we specialise in helping businesses implement and optimise PIM software. Our expertise spans retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. Our services cover:
- Discovery and overview of requirements
- Selecting the most suitable software solution
- Seamless integration with commerce platforms
- Data migration and cleansing
- Taxonomy design and database structuring
- Content enrichment and digital assets management
- Ongoing support for your company’s PIM journey
We unify people, processes, and product content to delight customers and drive measurable sales.