Blog
What kind of data is managed in a PIM solution?
DynamicWeb
At its core, a Product Information Management (PIM) solution manages all of your product-related data. But that might be more data than you think.
Product Information Management (PIM) and Product Data Management (PDM) systems are essential for organizations looking to streamline their product data handling across business operations. While closely related, these systems fulfill complementary roles in the product lifecycle.
A PIM solution centralizes and organizes commercial product information, making creating, managing, and distributing compelling product content across all sales channels easier. PDM systems, on the other hand, typically focus on managing technical product data, engineering specifications, and product development information throughout the design and manufacturing process.
These systems often work together—PDM handles the technical side of product development while PIM manages the customer-facing aspects of bringing products to market. Synergy between the systems is particularly valuable for eCommerce operations where both technical accuracy and marketing appeal are critical.
In this guide, we examine seven types of data that PIM and PDM solutions manage to help businesses create more efficient workflows, lower errors, and deliver exceptional customer experiences at every touchpoint.
The Importance of Using a PIM System for Product Data Management
Digital commerce requires sophisticated data management and places steep demands on how businesses manage product information. Without proper systems in place, the consequences of poor product data management can be disastrous. Inconsistent specifications, outdated pricing, or missing product images directly impact customer experience, leading to confusion, cart abandonment, and, ultimately, lost revenue.
These areas are where PIM and PDM solutions demonstrate their value. While distinct in purpose, they complement each other throughout the product lifecycle. PDM typically manages technical data during product development and engineering phases, while PIM takes over marketing and shopping activities. When businesses seek to expand their product ranges and enter new markets, robust PIM and PDM make product data a competitive advantage rather than an operational burden.
6 Types of Product Data Stored in a PIM Solution
Type 1: Core Product Data
In most organizations, core product data originates in ERP systems as master data records, which are then enriched and expanded within PIM environments. The PIM system is the central repository that standardizes and validates this information before distribution to sales channels.
Core product data elements include:
- Product identifiers: SKUs, product IDs, manufacturer part numbers
- Universal product codes: UPC, EAN, GTIN, ISBN codes
- Basic product classifications: category assignments, product types
- Standard product attributes: color, size, material, dimensions
- Product status indicators: active, discontinued, seasonal availability
- Creation and modification timestamps
- Internal reference information
PDM systems often take responsibility for managing technical product data during development stages, including engineering specifications, BOM (bill of materials), and CAD references. Once products move to commercialization, the PIM system typically becomes the authority for published attributes.
Properly structured core data creates the organizational framework that all other product information builds upon. By establishing consistent naming conventions and standardized attribute sets within the PIM/PDM environment, businesses create a solid foundation for efficient product data management across the entire product lifecycle.
Type 2: Product Sales and Marketing Details
Within a PIM system, marketing content typically includes:
- Commercial product descriptions and benefit-focused copy
- SEO-optimized content with strategic keywords and meta descriptions
- Marketing claims and unique selling propositions
- Brand storytelling elements and heritage information
- Usage scenarios and solution-based messaging
- Seasonal and promotional messaging
- Cross-selling and complementary product suggestions
- Multilingual and multicultural content management
PDM systems manage factual technical specifications (e.g., "Material: 82% recycled polyester, 18% elastane"), while PIM transforms these into customer-focused marketing messages (e.g., "Made with eco-friendly recycled materials for sustainability-conscious consumers").
Type 3: Product Specifications
In the integrated PIM/PDM ecosystem, product specifications often originate in PDM systems during product development but are then synchronized with the PIM for distribution.
Key elements of product specifications typically include:
- Technical attributes: performance metrics, capacity, power requirements
- Physical dimensions: length, width, height, weight, volume
- Material composition: ingredients, components, manufacturing materials
- Compatibility information: works with, fits models, system requirements
- Regulatory compliance: safety certifications, industry standards, legal requirements
- Assembly details: installation requirements, setup specifications
- Care instructions: maintenance requirements, cleaning guidelines
- Warranty information: coverage details, duration, limitations
By establishing consistent attribute sets for similar products, businesses create more intuitive comparison experiences for customers while simplifying internal data management processes.
Type 4: Digital Assets
Digital assets form the visual and multimedia foundation of product information, helping customers understand products when they can't physically examine them. A robust PIM solution is a centralized repository for these assets, consistently representing the brand across all channels.
Within integrated PIM and PDM systems, digital assets typically include:
- Product images: hero shots, detail views, lifestyle photography, and 360° rotations
- Videos: product demonstrations, how-to guides, and promotional content
- Technical documentation: user manuals, installation guides, and specification sheets
- Marketing collateral: brochures, catalogs, and promotional materials
- CAD files and technical drawings: often originating in PDM systems
- AR/VR content: interactive 3D models and augmented reality experiences
The division of responsibility between PDM and PIM systems is particularly important for digital assets. During product development, PDM systems typically manage technical drawings, CAD files, and engineering visuals. Once approved, these assets may be transferred to the PIM system, which then manages the commercial versions alongside marketing-focused imagery.
Version control and approval workflows are essential capabilities within PIM/PDM solutions. These features ensure that only current, approved assets are published to customer-facing channels while maintaining a historical record of previous versions.
Type 5: Variations and Product Families
Variations and product families represent the structural relationships between related products in a catalog. Managing these relationships effectively is crucial for creating intuitive navigation experiences and cross-selling opportunities for customers.
PIM and PDM systems excel at organizing complex product structures through:
- Parent-child relationships: Base products and their variants
- Variant management: Products that differ by color, size, material, or other attributes
- Bundled products and kits: Collections of items sold together
- Configurable products: Items with customer-selected options
- Accessory and replacement part associations: Compatible add-ons
- Cross-selling and upselling relationships: "Frequently bought together" connections
Type 6: Channels and Distribution Feeds
Channel and distribution data are the final critical component in the PIM ecosystem, focusing on how product information is formatted, validated, and distributed to various sales and marketing channels. Centralized product data is transformed into channel-specific formats that meet the unique requirements of each platform.
A comprehensive PIM solution enables:
- Omnichannel publishing capabilities: Coordinated distribution across websites, mobile apps, print catalogs, and physical stores
- Channel-specific data requirements: Tailored content for each platform's specifications
- Marketplace integration: Formatted feeds for Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and other online marketplaces
- Data validation and completeness scoring: Quality checks before publication
- Scheduled and automated publishing: Timed releases of product information
Explore Our PIM Solution Offerings and Its Role in Product Data Management
As part of Dynamicweb's All-in-One Platform, our PIM solution comprehensively manages product information throughout the entire product lifecycle while natively integrating with our CMS, eCommerce, and Digital Marketing tools.
Our PIM platform seamlessly connects with PDM systems to create a unified product data ecosystem, ensuring technical accuracy while enabling compelling commercial presentations. It features advanced data quality measurement and validation capabilities that help maintain high standards across your entire product catalog. Built-in completeness scoring and validation rules ensure your products meet the requirements for each distribution channel before publication.
Contact Dynamicweb today for a personalized demonstration and learn how our integrated PIM solution can support your specific business needs.