What is a PIM system? And why do you need one

In this article you will learn:

• What a PIM system is

• Why you need a PIM system

• How much a PIM system costs

What is a PIM system?

PIM stands for Product Information Management. You use a PIM system to store, improve and enrich your product data. More and more companies offer their products across a range of channels. Think of your own channels such as webshops, point of sale and in-store screens, but also external channels such as bol.com, Amazon, Winkelstraat and so on.

Because these different channels often require different specifications (also called properties or attributes) to get your products online, managing your product data takes more and more time as you add more products and more channels to sell on.

Naturally, you want to manage this growing pile of information efficiently and in one place, and that is exactly where a PIM system comes in.

Why do I need a PIM system?

You need a PIM system the moment managing your product data starts to take too much time. If, for example, you receive products from different suppliers in different file formats and layouts, you need to structure that product data. By structuring the data, you create a clear overview and categorisation of your product set.

By structuring and categorising your product database, it becomes easier for customers to filter your products. For instance, if you have filled in the brand and the colour for every product, your customers can filter by the brand and the colour of the product they are looking for. The same applies to things like material, size and so on. The better you have structured this product data, the easier it is for visitors to your website or other channels to find your products.

What does a PIM system cost?

The cost of a PIM system varies widely and depends on the number of products in your database and the features you need. The most basic solutions start at a few thousand euros and can run into the millions.

Want to know what it costs to use the Afosto PIM system? Request a demo and we can look at your specific situation together.

Questions about a PIM system

What does PIM mean?

PIM stands for Product Information Management. In other words, managing your product data.

What does a PIM system cost?

The cost of a PIM system is usually determined by the number of products in your database combined with the number of channels you want to connect to that product data. Prices vary considerably and range from a few thousand euros up to hundreds of thousands of euros.

For whom is a PIM system?

You need a PIM system if you manage large numbers of products or if you want to sell your products across many different channels. A PIM system helps you manage that product data in one place.

Why should you use a PIM system?

By using a PIM system you save time and money on managing your product data. When your product data is well structured, it is also easier for visitors to your website to find specific products. Creating product specifications (also called attributes or properties) and making sure they are entered consistently by the different users of your system is hugely important for keeping your dataset well managed. With the enormous growth of online marketplaces, this is becoming an increasingly important part of your online success in the world of ecommerce.