3 things holding you back from Akeneo – and why they shouldn't (practical answers)

That’s precisely why PIM systems were created, and Akeneo is one of the market-leading solutions. Still, we realize that starting out, you might have several concerns: Will the costs remain within budget? Will deadlines be respected? Will I quickly adapt to using this new system?

Don't worry – many people share these concerns. E-commerce and IT directors, as well as marketing managers and business owners, often ask themselves these exact things when considering strategic investments like this.

Before introducing Akeneo PIM to your company, it's important to know what the implementation entails. In this article, we'll cover key points, answer your questions, and ease any worries you might have about the process. 

You'll quickly understand how this tool can simplify your digital product catalog, making your business more efficient and competitive. Ready to start exploring?

How to handle your concerns about implementing Akeneo

Transitioning to Akeneo as a new product information management system naturally brings questions and concerns about how the implementation will unfold. In this section, we outline these common uncertainties and give practical advice to make the process easier and stress-free.

Staying within budget: How to avoid overspending on Akeneo implementation?

Cost considerations are often the first to come up when thinking about implementing a system like Akeneo. You may wonder, "How can I ensure costs don't escalate?" The fear of losing financial control over a project is very real. Nobody wants unexpected expenses or budget overruns.

At Tandemite, we rely on a Time & Material (T&M) billing approach, providing the flexibility needed when the exact scope of your implementation might shift or evolve over time, ensuring your costs remain manageable.

Want better control of your Akeneo implementation budget? Here's some practical advice:

↳ Clarify your objectives first: Outline what business goals Akeneo needs to fulfill. This prevents spending resources on functionalities that don't directly support your strategic goals.

* Prior to providing a quotation or starting implementation, we analyze your business – including product range, sales channels, and current issues with product information management – to clearly understand your situation.

↳ Prioritize your requirements: Start by focusing only on the key features of Akeneo. Additional functionalities can be added in later stages to avoid overspending.

↳ Consider integration expenses: Akeneo is rarely implemented as a standalone solution. It typically connects with platforms like your online shop (Shopware, Magento, etc.) or ERP systems, so make sure these integration costs are reflected in your project pricing.

↳ Look at long-term benefits: Akeneo PIM may require an upfront investment, but over time it can generate noticeable savings. You’ll see fewer product data errors, quicker product launches, and improved productivity across teams like marketing, sales, and product management. Looking at it from a long-term perspective can help justify the cost.

Controlling your Akeneo budget is possible when you start with a clear understanding of your needs, plan responsibly, and keep communication transparent with your technology partner.

Implementation time: Is it possible to avoid a long transition period?

Timing is a common concern when starting any new digital tool. Long projects can interfere with workflows and reduce productivity. You’re probably wondering when Akeneo will be fully functional and how soon it will bring value to your business.

The answer depends on many factors, including how much product data needs to be migrated and how many systems need to be connected.

How is an Akeneo implementation usually structured? Here’s a simplified view of the key phases:

1. Getting to know your business needs: This is the same stage we mentioned earlier when discussing budget concerns. Everything begins with understanding your goals. We can't build a smart strategy without them. That’s why we begin by talking with you, analyzing your company and industry, and working together to define the project’s focus and priorities.

2. Introduction to Akeneo and planning: You learn about Akeneo’s features, and the project team defines the scope and sets up the technical environment. Clear roles and responsibilities on both sides help the implementation go faster and more smoothly. This approach helps minimize confusion and enables quick responses to any problems.

3. Data model configuration and integration: We adjust Akeneo to match your organization’s data structure and business requirements, including any necessary automation. We also manage the integration with your existing tools to ensure consistent and efficient data flow.

4. Testing phase and employee training: We test the full system for reliability, then train your team based on their specific responsibilities to guarantee smooth adoption across the organization.

5. Akeneo PIM launch and production use: This is when the system is activated and becomes part of your daily business operations. From there, our team offers ongoing support (technical and consultative) to ensure the system keeps delivering value as your needs evolve. We help you improve your use of Akeneo over time.

Each stage has its own focus. With a trusted implementation partner, you can handle each step effectively and without unnecessary delays.

Transparency in the process: Are you getting the full picture?

One common frustration with Akeneo PIM implementation is not knowing exactly where the project stands. You may feel uncertain if every phase has been explained clearly. That’s why transparency is so important – you want to stay informed about every step and how your funds are being used.

At Tandemite, we aim to eliminate confusion and ensure full transparency. Here’s our approach:

Consistent reporting/Frequent updates: You’ll be kept in the loop with detailed progress reports covering completed work, current tasks, and next steps.

Structured project timeline with milestones: Together, we set clear stages and milestones at the start of the project. This lets you track progress and understand what outcomes are expected at each step, including when to expect them.

Open communication and early warnings: We won’t wait for issues to escalate. If risks or delays appear, we let you know immediately and discuss solutions together.

Consistent check-ins and reviews: We schedule frequent review meetings, keeping you in the loop and giving you space to ask questions, raise concerns, and influence outcomes.

Product management with Akeneo. Without the stress

When adopting a new solution like Akeneo, many questions naturally arise. With the right partner by your side, it becomes a clear and manageable process. Your concerns are valid, and at Tandemite, we’re ready to meet them with a structured, transparent approach:

• We analyze each project carefully and adapt the scope to control expenses.
• We split the project into clear stages, making it easy to follow and stay on schedule.
• We maintain open communication and regularly report on progress to keep you fully informed.

With our method, you can rest assured that your project is progressing smoothly and in line with your expectations.

At every stage, we support you not only as technical experts but also as advisors in product information management who understand your business. Our experience with companies from various sectors allows us to recommend best practices and help you avoid mistakes that could slow your progress.

Don’t hesitate to improve the way you manage your product data. Akeneo offers a powerful and reliable system to work smarter, sell more efficiently, and meet customer expectations. It reduces complex data work to a few clear actions. We're here to help – schedule a free consultation to discuss your current challenges.

Check out our resources and articles to discover everything Akeneo has to offer:

Who uses Akeneo? A closer look at companies that depend on Akeneo every day

Pimcore vs Akeneo: A clear guide to choosing the right PIM for your business

Akeneo or a combination of existing systems & tools? Here’s why PIM is the smarter choice