For organizations with a rich product range with a lot of product information, the use of a Product Information Management (PIM) system is a nice addition to the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. A PIM system can even make your B2B eCommerce more successful!
What is a PIM system?
PIM stands for Product Information Management. With a PIM system, you can supplement, bundle and structure the product information available from your ERP system. Thanks to a link, the products in your webshop automatically receive extensive and detailed product information. In addition, with the help of a PIM system for B2B e-commerce, you have all the necessary information about the products central.
Why use a PIM system?
As a wholesaler or manufacturer, you can provide your customers with detailed and up-to-date product information with a PIM system. We previously emphasized the importance of product content when selling food. But of course, every B2B webshop can use a PIM system and thus distinguish itself with the help of attractive product content.
The PIM system ensures that you are better able to control the product information. Moreover, this means that you not only have complete information but that this information is the same on all channels (webshop, catalogue, etc.) while you manage it centrally. This, of course, saves a lot of time and also improves the quality of the product information and the customer experience. Actually, your PIM system is, therefore, part of your B2B omnichannel strategy.
Helping Website Tools Generate Sales
PIM can’t save a struggling eCommerce site all by itself, but it does make other crucial tools function better. Additionally, PIM plugs directly into content management systems (CMS), site search engines, and commerce modules. When you actively edit and manage product data, images, video, brochures, and product categorization with the PIM, each of these systems functions more intelligently, helping your customers find and purchase your products quickly.
As competition ramps up in B2B eCommerce, businesses that build their strategy with a PIM at the core will have a much higher rate of success now and in the future. According to Forrester , B2B eCommerce will account for 17% of all B2B sales in the U.S. by 2023, reaching $1.8 trillion.
A centralized hub will contain product information making it that much easier for wholesalers and distributors to maintain a consistent presence across products and channels. Those operating without a PIM in place will struggle to compete against more mature eCommerce operations that provide better data governance, distribution, and accessibility by their partners, suppliers, agencies, and online marketplaces.
How Does A PIM System Work?
A wholesaler receives product information from many different suppliers. One supplier uses a different format than the other and therefore the information is not consistent. With the help of a PIM system for B2B e-commerce, all this information is bundled and translated into the same format. When a reseller has linked his webshop or PIM system, the product information there will always remain up to date.
Want to learn more about PIM?
If you have any questions regarding Product Information Management, from PIM Selection to Implementation or how a PIM would fit in your IT landscape? Feel free to browse our Knowledge Base of articles on everything PIM related.
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