With more than 2.14 billion people shopping online worldwide, around 90,000 e-commerce businesses operating in Poland alone, and the digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic now firmly established, competition in online retail has become intense. To build a lasting competitive advantage in e-commerce, companies need to scale their operations, automate processes, optimize costs, and respond quickly to market changes. One solution that supports these goals through centralized product information management is a PIM system such as Pimcore. The platform is already used by more than 100,000 organizations in 56 countries. Why should your business join them?
In this article, you will learn:
- how a PIM system helps build a competitive advantage in e-commerce,
- when implementing PIM delivers the greatest value,
- in which situations it may be better not to implement it,
- how the two most common PIM implementation models work,
- why an Agile and MVP-based approach can deliver initial results faster,
- what a PIM implementation looks like in practice and what to consider before starting the project.
What does Pimcore bring to e-commerce?
Pimcore is a platform that combines PIM (Product Information Management), DAM (Digital Asset Management), MDM (Master Data Management), and CDP (Customer Data Platform) capabilities. Thanks to its modular architecture, it supports not only product information management but also the integration of data, digital assets, and business processes used in e-commerce.
In practice, Pimcore supports e-commerce in the following areas:
| Area | How Pimcore helps |
|---|---|
| Product Information Management (PIM) | Centralizes product data and makes it easier to publish information across online stores, marketplaces, and other sales channels. |
| Digital Asset Management (DAM) | Enables businesses to store and manage images, videos, technical documentation, and other materials used in marketing and sales. |
| E-commerce platforms | Supports traditional online stores, B2B platforms, subscription-based models, and solutions built around bookings or content-driven sales. |
| Integrations | Connects with ERP, CRM, BI, ESB, marketplaces, and other business applications through its extensive API. |
| Omnichannel sales | Makes it easier to manage offers and synchronize data across online stores, marketplaces, and business partners. |
One of Pimcore’s key advantages is its open, API-based architecture, which enables integration with ERP, CRM, BI, ESB, and many other enterprise systems. This makes it possible to adapt the platform to the existing IT environment and expand it as business requirements evolve.
Signs your e-commerce business needs a PIM system
Not every business needs a PIM system from day one. However, as an online store grows, so does the number of products, sales channels, and people involved in managing the product offering. At a certain point, handling product data manually becomes both time-consuming and increasingly prone to errors.
Consider implementing a PIM system if:
- product information is scattered across Excel spreadsheets, an ERP system, the online store, and other sources,
- you sell through several channels at the same time, such as an online store, marketplaces, and a B2B platform,
- you are expanding into international markets and managing product descriptions in multiple languages,
- several people or departments work with product data,
- updating the product range takes too long and requires manual copying of information,
- errors, inconsistencies, or outdated product information occur frequently,
- launching new products takes too long, resulting in an extended time to market,
- you are planning further growth and want to prepare the organization for a larger scale of operations.
If several of these points apply to your business, implementing a PIM system can significantly improve product information management, reduce errors, and accelerate growth across multiple sales channels.
How does PIM support e-commerce to build competitive advantage?
The end of data silos
PIM helps to eliminate the problem of data silos, i.e. the storage of fragmented and unsynchronized information about the same products in different departments or parts of the same organization. Centralisation, which is the foundation of PIM, makes it possible to avoid errors created by data coming from different sources and being made available to different sources. This, in turn, is associated with reduced time to market (TTM).
Structured, complete and up-to-date data ultimately means that product sales can be launched more quickly. Consequently, using PIM reduces the time it takes to display a product in a particular channel and market, allowing you to stay ahead of the competition.
Faster workflow and better product data quality
Based on aggregated information, you can also build business processes and data flow diagrams in Pimcore Workflow Management. Workflow, the workflow engine, operates on states, statistics, actions, transitions and notifications. With this tool, you can make sure that your data is complete and correct.
Flexible working in a remote environment
The implementation of a PIM system unifies the work of a distributed team operating remotely. PIM can be accessed via the Internet from any place on Earth and from any computer while maintaining the security of data transmission. Unification results from the previously-mentioned reduction of data silos and information flow patterns. Asynchronous working from different locations could even lead to errors. Meanwhile, thanks to the versioning system and workflow, PIM keeps the process of working with data in check.
Quicker launch of online sales
Implementing PIM also makes it easier and easier to launch online sales, especially if you plan to operate in multiple markets and languages. Integration mechanisms allow you to use any sales platform. Importantly, in special cases, Pimcore itself can be used as B2B and B2C e-commerce. In situations where a quick change of sales channel is required, such as moving from offline to online at the onset of a pandemic, this allows for shorter ‘recalibration’ and customer outreach times. This solution is particularly attractive for manufacturing companies that want to launch or expand their own sales channels.
Easier cooperation with partners
If you sell through multiple channels, with PIM you can more easily manage your partnerships (marketplaces, wholesalers and large shops) and effectively share data with them about your products they sell at their outlets. Your partners can integrate with your PIM system to automatically retrieve information about your offerings. The elimination of manual work reduces errors and cuts the costs incurred by painstakingly updating your product offerings.
Scale up and facilitate entry into foreign markets
Finally, as a system that manages the translation of product content into multiple languages, PIM helps you to reach out to foreign markets. You can integrate Pimcore with GlobalLink's Translation Memory System (TMS) or use its in-house translation support tools. The platform has also joined forces with Translations.com, a company that provides tools to simplify the process of creating multilingual content. Importantly, PIM centralises the work of translators, who will be able to work on all language versions in one place, abandoning work in Excel. The system also helps with localization, such as adapting prices and units of measurement to specific markets.
Need to know more about PIM functionality? Take a look at our Top 7 list: ‘Pimcore PIM – our top 7 functionalities’. See the value implementing a PIM-based solution brings to your business? Our experts can help you.
Approaches to PIM implementation
A system like Pimcore PIM can be implemented in two ways: either in a cascade model (waterfall) or in an iterative model (scrum using MVP). How do these approaches differ in practice?
Method 1: In the spirit of the waterfall
The waterfall model means moving to each subsequent stage of PIM implementation after the previous one has been completed. We also immediately set about creating the entire system, integrating all product data sources and all sales channels.
We rely on guidance gathered from many stakeholders during the analysis and planning stage of the project. This stage can take up to several months. Although requirements are validated with the market at the beginning of the project, any noticed changes are not always introduced after the analysis stage. As a result, after the implementation, the assumptions made at the beginning of the process may turn out to be no longer valid, and the system does not respond to business needs.
What can be done to avoid this?
Method 2: In the spirit of scrum and MVP
The answer to evolving business and market requirements is the iterative path. Here, we use the scrum framework, i.e. an approach to system development in which, thanks to shorter work loops (two-week sprints), we regularly check whether the PIM meets the customer's requirements and needs. We strive to develop an MVP (Minimum Valuable Product, a working product with the necessary minimum functionality). Based on years of experience, we can name the following benefits for the customer from the implementation of this basic version:
- Possibility of product input or integration with an internal system.
- Mechanisms for product information management, product model.
- Necessary output channels.
This perspective involves finding areas where the system can be implemented as quickly as possible. This allows for a smoother transition to testing, as well as gathering feedback from the team using PIM. In the next iteration, when we add more data sources and sales channels to the existing integration areas, we can also optimize the process and automate it where necessary.
In the iterative approach, the collection of requirements and information about input data sources and sales channels starts during the zero stage, the workshop, where we collect the basic requirements. Throughout the project, we work with the customer to iteratively collect additional requirements and details. Any changes to the scope are then introduced at bi-weekly sprint-planning meetings. The customer also attends these meetings and can influence the plan on an ongoing basis. This is how we work at Tandemite.
Email us and find out how we will carry out a PIM implementation in your organization.
From our experience
“With a growing number of products and sales channels, it quickly becomes clear how much time teams spend searching for information across different files and systems. A PIM system brings order to this area and gives teams one place to work with accurate, up-to-date data. This makes it easier to expand the product range, support business partners, and introduce products to new sales channels.” - Katarzyna Bończyk, Head of Growth, Tandemite
A good example is the project delivered for Emotivo. The company manages an offering of more than 7,500 attractions and works with over 1,500 partners. Such a complex ecosystem required centralized product information management and the automation of processes related to publishing and updating data.
The Pimcore PIM-based solution helped organise product data, improve collaboration with partners, and prepare the platform for further growth and an increasing number of products and sales channels.
➡️ See how we organized product data and automated processes in the Emotivo project
Instead of a conclusion: when not to opt for PIM?
In what situations is the implementation of PIM a high risk? First of all, when – running e-commerce – you sell only in a single channel and in a single language with a single source of product data. After all, the essence of PIM is the integration of different product information databases and diversified sales channels and at least two language versions.
Secondly, PIM will be too complex for the advantages it can provide if you do not plan to scale your business. If, on the other hand, you plan to grow in the long term or are just starting to run a shop and want to prepare for future expansion, e.g. to foreign markets, PIM will be a solid foundation for you that can be expanded gradually at a relatively low cost of implementing extensions.
Also, note that companies choose to implement PIM when they launch omnichannel sales or move to remote working conditions.
FAQ
Can PIM help reduce time-to-market?
Yes. By centralizing product information and automating data publishing across multiple sales channels, a PIM system enables businesses to launch new products much faster. Product descriptions, images, and specifications can all be updated in one place, reducing errors and significantly shortening the time needed to prepare products for sale.
Does a PIM system improve collaboration with marketplaces and business partners?
Yes. A PIM system centralizes product data and enables it to be automatically shared with online stores, marketplaces, and business partners. As a result, every sales channel works with the same accurate and up-to-date product information.
How should you prepare your business for a PIM implementation?
The first step is to review and organize your existing product data sources and identify which business systems will need to integrate with the PIM platform. It is also important to define who is responsible for creating and maintaining product information and to establish a clear workflow for managing product data across the organization.
Does a PIM system have to be implemented all at once?
No. Many organisations now adopt an iterative implementation approach. The most important features and integrations are delivered first, while additional functionality is introduced gradually as business needs evolve.
Does PIM support international expansion?
Yes. A PIM system makes it easier to manage multilingual product content, localise information for different markets, and synchronize data across multiple sales channels. This helps businesses expand internationally while maintaining consistent product information in every market.
Does every online store need a PIM system?
No. PIM delivers the greatest value to businesses managing large product catalogues, multiple sales channels, multilingual content, or several product data sources. For smaller online stores with a limited product range and straightforward sales processes, implementing a PIM system may not provide sufficient return on investment.
