PIM & DAM
Data is the project.
Product data and media are stored in Excel spreadsheets, on hard drives and in people’s heads.
A PIM or DAM system can organise this – but only if it is clear beforehand what data is needed for what purpose and who is responsible for maintaining it.
A PIM doesn’t tidy up.
The most common cause of failed PIM projects is not the technology, but an unresolved question: Who decides how a product is described – and who is responsible for ensuring that the information remains up to date? If this remains unresolved, the result is a costly system.
- We start by clarifying what data you need – not what the system is capable of
- Data quality is at the heart of the project, not a by-product
- Responsibilities are clearly defined before the first screen is built
Centralised, consistent, efficient
Services in detail
Four tasks,
one foundation.
Consultancy & System Selection
First, we assess whether you need a system – and if so, what requirements it must meet.
- Assessment of data, sources and channels
- Requirements specification that will also stand up to a tender process
- Cost-benefit analysis prior to investment
- Assessment of whether PIM, DAM or both is the right approach
Data model & implementation
The data model is the most important decision in the project – and the one that is hardest to rectify.
- Structuring attributes, variants, relationships and languages
- Defining mandatory fields and approval statuses
- Phased roll-out: one product range, one channel, then expand
- Interfaces to ERP, the online shop and other channels
Migration & Data Quality
The overlooked aspect: inventory data is rarely as good as it looks on paper.
- Import, reconcile and clean up inventory data
- Identifying duplicates, gaps and inconsistencies
- Rules that maintain quality in the long term rather than just achieving it once
Care processes & roles
To ensure that the system is still being maintained after six months.
- Roles, permissions and approval workflows tailored to your processes
- Editorial interfaces tailored to the way you work
- Training for all stakeholders, not just administrators
- External access for agencies, retailers and suppliers
Two systems, two tasks.
The terms are often confused. The difference determines where you start.
PIM – Product Information
Attributes, variants, relationships, prices, texts, translations. Answer to: What is this product, and how do we describe it consistently across all platforms?
DAM – Media and Files
Images, videos, documents, print files – complete with metadata, versions, access rights and automatic derivatives for each channel. Answering the question: Which file is the correct one, and who is authorised to use it and for what purpose?
What if it’s both?
Usually, you need both – but not at the same time. We recommend starting with the area where the workload is greatest at present.
Different requirements. Tailored solutions.
Our digital projects do not start with a specific technology, but with the question: Which processes need to be optimised? If product data and media are scattered across multiple locations, a PIM or DAM system may be the right solution. If content and product data need to be consolidated within a single system, a digital experience platform comes into play. And if off-the-shelf software does not fit our clients’ specific workflows, we develop bespoke solutions. We also provide web development and web design for digital presence, as well as hosting to ensure reliable operation.
In a nutshell
That depends on where most of the manual work is currently involved. With lots of variants and languages, it’s usually the PIM; with lots of images and channels, it’s the DAM.
Up to a certain size, certainly. It becomes problematic when several people are updating the data at the same time, when data needs to be fed into multiple channels, or when figures start to diverge.
No. We provide platform-independent advice; implementation is carried out using Pimcore or openDXP – out of a sense of responsibility for the subsequent operation of the system. If another platform is a better fit, we’ll say so and provide the requirements specification for it.
We’re starting on a manageable scale – one product range, one channel. We’ll confirm the timeframe for this once we’ve carried out the stock-take.
Your team – with roles and interfaces tailored to your processes, and training for everyone involved.
Yes. We take charge, reconcile the data and highlight any gaps or inconsistencies – before they make their way into the new system.