6 Important Questions to Ask During a PIM Demo

1. How does your PIM software manage digital assets?

Because PIM is the process of managing data you need to market and sell products, you want to understand how the software you are considering manages your digital assets. The right PIM software must manage your complex product data and digital assets from one central platform.

In turn, you can work from a single source of truth across all departments and all marketplace channels.

You want the demo to show you how the software collates product information from your internal and external data sources based on what you are currently using whether it is an ERP, PLM, or various supplier feed.

2. Can your PIM system handle a growing amount of product data?

This is a key question because every company has its own types of information and media assets they manage. From basics likes SKUs, product names and technical specs to product relationships, categories, and marketing data, you want to know you have the capabilities to handle your product expansion.

Be sure to ask for specific types of information relevant to your business and how scalable the software is to meet your changing needs. If you are using multi-channels for eCommerce, ask them to show you how the software can tailor your product data and digital assets to meet the different requirements.

3. How should I prepare my company for a PIM implementation?

The software company should offer consultation and implementation services to help you make a smooth transition that improves productivity. If you jump in without an assessment of your current setup and tech stack, the software can hinder productivity due to an ill-prepared team or poorly conceived system update. Successfully deploying a PIM involves asking questions specific to your business.

Therefore, before a provider sells you the software, they should offer a platform and technology evaluation to assess your current infrastructure.

This ensures they can improve your current setup and provide the right PIM to align and improve your digital services. As well, you want to ensure your PIM allows you to remain compliant with regulations applying to your industry.

When these important steps are taken, you’ll enjoy a seamless transition to an effective new digital system designed to scale your business.

4. Can your system tell you what information and retailer criteria are missing?

If your company contends with multiple marketplaces or plans to expand your reach with new channels, you want to make sure the software helps streamline the process to upload product information. Have them show you how easily their software allows you to set up new sales channels and helps you remain compliant with the different platform requirements.

Does it allow you to set up validations to ensure all product content is accurate and complete? Does it notify team members when they miss critical information?

5. Does your product information management platform help you optimize content?

You want your PIM to allow you to drive more demand. Using relevant search terms is the best way to boost your SEO performance. The demo should explain how you can tap into new opportunities.

Examples include drop shipping or long tailing to improve ranking, increase visibility and boost revenues.

Optimizing your site for search engines helps customers find you, so you need to see how the software allows you to use well-structured product data to improve your SEO rankings.

For search engine optimization you need your PIM to allow you to easily optimize product content.

6. Is the platform flexible enough to be prepared for the future?

Have them show you how the PIM allows you to expand your product range. You want workflows and reporting tools that allow you to achieve more in less time while keeping an eye on how your team is progressing. You have to remain responsive so you can take advantage of market trends, but also react quickly to unexpected opportunities.

For example, if you sell outerwear, a sudden snowstorm in late spring calls for winter boots and warmer coats.

You might also see demand in unexpected markets and want to quickly go global. A supplier might let you in on a deal that allows you to expand into a new category. All these changes require a responsive PIM process that allows you to get things to market in just a few clicks whether it is new categories or entirely new international markets.

Asking these PIM questions will help you find the right PIM software for your needs. If you would like to learn more about how Pimberly allows you to do all these things and more, click here to book your demo today.