When Is Your Company Ready for a PIM System?
In the world of trading companies, everything revolves around product information. If that information is incorrect, displayed wrongly on the website, or outdated, the business is at risk of errors, returns, delays, and above all: frustration. Yet, we still see many SMEs working for years with fragmented systems, manual processes, and Excel files until it simply becomes unsustainable.
How do you know it’s time for PIM?
The signs that your company is ready for a PIM system are surprisingly predictable. Here’s what we often hear from clients before they make the switch:
- The number of systems keeps growing, and management is becoming chaotic
- The product portfolio is expanding, along with the need for richer content
- More and more FTEs are needed just to keep everything up to date
- Teams work in isolation, keeping track of progress manually in Excel
At that point, it becomes clear to most businesses: this way of working isn’t scalable. Something central needs to be put in place and that’s where a PIM system comes in.
Where do things often go wrong?
For many trading companies, product information is scattered across multiple systems: the ERP, Excel files, network drives, websites, catalogs, you name it.
As a result, the following problems arise:
- Data inconsistency: the same products have different descriptions across different channels
- Error-prone processes: changes are not updated everywhere at the same time
- Loss of time: employees must log in to multiple systems and enter data twice
- Dependency on individuals: when the colleague who “knows everything” retires, the structure often disappears
And perhaps the biggest issue of all: nobody has a clear overview.
What does a good PIM system deliver?
A well-implemented PIM system is far more than a data management tool, it’s a growth accelerator.
You will benefit from:
- More efficiency: Less duplicate work and fewer errors
- One single source of truth: always up-to-date and consistent product data
- Better collaboration: everyone works in the same system
- Faster time-to-market: products go online faster, giving you an advantage on your competitors
- Fewer tools needed: manage all channels and shops from one place
But the biggest benefit? Peace of mind within your organization.
Customer case: From 21 Excel files to scalable growth
A client in the food sector had been working for years with separate Excel files. One for each product category and language, totaling 21 files. Every update had to be made manually and uploaded to three different webshops. When the parent company asked them to launch two additional webshops, the limits of this setup became painfully clear. Managing everything manually was no longer an option.
With the PLGGR | PIM, they were able to:
- Centralize all their product data
- Manage multiple webshops from a single system
- Assign assortments per shop flexibly, without “data pollution”
- Easily add new shops via integrations with Shopify or Webflow
- Manage orders through our integrated PLGGR | Order Entry App
The result: less work, fewer errors, faster launches for new shops and above all, control over their growth.
Conclusion: A PIM isn’t a luxury it’s a prerequisite for scalable growth
Wondering whether your organization is ready for a PIM system? If you recognize these challenges, the answer is likely already clear. By investing in structure, you prevent chaos and create room for growth.
Want to find out if a PIM is relevant for your organization?
Take the free Quick Scan: in just 2 minutes, you’ll see how much time and cost you can save with a well-structured PIM system.
