Natalie Carrell - eCommerce Sales Director
Product Information Management (PIM) solutions are critical to a company’s success in the current age of omnichannel selling. Like with any technology, the key to unlocking its full potential starts with a successful implementation. Below are five common pitfalls to avoid when implementing your PIM.
Lack of planning and preparation: Implementations can be complex and time-consuming, so it's important to have a clear plan in place before you start. This plan should include a detailed assessment of your current business processes, your goals and objectives for the project, requirements, resources needed, and the timeline for implementation.
Not involving the right stakeholders: A successful PIM implementation requires the input and cooperation of a wide range of stakeholders, including marketing, sales, IT and product management. It's important to get everyone involved from the beginning so that you can build a solution that meets the needs of everyone. In addition, a successful PIM implementation requires the support of senior management early on in the process.
Choosing the wrong solution: There are a number of different PIM solutions on the market, so it's important to choose one that's right for your business needs. Failure to do so can lead to selecting a PIM that does not meet your organization’s specific requirements or lacks necessary features and functionality. Be sure to evaluate your requirements carefully before making a decision and be thorough in your selection process.
Low Data Integrity: One of the most important aspects of PIM is managing your data effectively. This means having a clear understanding of the data you have, where it comes from, and how it's used. But that’s not quite enough, as implementing a PIM requires high-quality product data. If your organization’s data is incomplete, inconsistent, or inaccurate, it can lead to issues during implementation. It is essential to invest time, effort, and in some cases, support from a third party, to cleanse and enrich your data before migrating it into the PIM. Pro-tip: Once your data is clean and organized, be sure to put effective data governance practices in place to keep its quality and consistency. This includes clear ownership, data standards and processes that prevent data integrity issues and inefficiencies.
Complex data integration: Integrating a PIM system with existing systems, such as ERP, CRM or e-commerce platforms, may be needed and desired and is often recommended. However, knowing these integrations can be challenging, it is important to plan appropriately, understand any dependencies across projects and involve the proper technical experts for your broader digital transformation.
By avoiding these risks, you can increase your chances of a successful PIM implementation.
As you consider a PIM implementation, here are a few additional tips for avoiding common pitfalls:
Set realistic expectations: PIM and syndication projects can take time and money. Be sure to set realistic expectations with stakeholders so that they're not disappointed with the results.
Be flexible: Things don't always go according to plan. Be prepared to make changes as needed throughout the implementation process.
Communicate regularly: Keep stakeholders updated on the progress of the project. This will help to keep everyone on the same page and avoid surprises.
Celebrate successes: As you reach milestones, be sure to celebrate your successes. This will help to keep everyone motivated and engaged throughout the change management process.
If you’re interested in exploring professional assistance in implementing or choosing a PIM, contact one of our Aleysian eCommerce experts today.