Why is Software with Multi-Channel Support PIM so Crucial for Your Business?

Businesses are constantly seeking new opportunities. A typical electronics retailer of nowadays would likely be expanding its presence on marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, while also selling their products on their own e-commerce website as well as physical stores. This is a smart approach, however this causes many issues like data inconsistency, inventory management complexities, order fulfillment, and logistics troubles.

If your business is dealing with complex product catalogs and is selling products across multiple platforms, choosing PIM software with multi-channel support is not a flight of fancy but an absolute necessity.

Without such Product Information Management your business will likely struggle to update and maintain product information across multiple platforms, slow down time-to-market, and will be more prone to errors related to information inconsistency across multiple sales channels.

With a multi-channel PIM solution, on the other hand, your business can easily scale to new channels or regions while keeping the product information consistent and error-free with minimal additional effort. Apart from keeping your product data all-round, accurate, and consistent, PIM helps you easily adapt it to be channel-specific in order to succeed in different markets and connect with diverse customer segments.

The Criteria for the Right PIM Choice

Data Quality Management and Enrichment

The functional PIM systems provides you with opportunity to define your own data quality rules and automatically check for missing or inconsistent data fields to prevent errors before data reaches channels. Common enrichment features in PIM systems include automated filling of metadata or image tagging. Features like this help you increase the quality of your data and visibility across channels. A proper PIM system should also give you insights into data completeness, enrichment status, and compliance with channel-specific requirements. This data then can be used to proactively manage data for better performance.

Built-in Integrations with Third-Party Systems

First and foremost, make sure that the PIM system you are considering for implementation provides integration with the platforms where you sell or plan to expand to (such as Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, Magento, eBay, etc.) as well as with current ERP, CRM, and other internal systems. If such integration is currently not available, consider other PIM options, since custom integration will likely be way costlier than expected. Opting for a PIM system that offers multiple built-in integrations is a wise choice since it eliminates the potential issues when you scale.

Support for Channel-specific Product Data

A simple adaptation of product information for various platforms is one of PIM system’s main priorities, with PIM software ensuring that product listings match the criteria of each platform. Make sure that your preferred PIM is capable of handling data localization for various languages or regions as well as customizing channels individually (e.g., PIM functionality allows you to create, and manage unique product descriptions, pricing, or images for each platform). Preparing channel-specifc product descriptions is the key to your sales performance. For instance, when you're promoting certain product, your perfect PIM system will allow you modify product information to cater to the specific requirements of every sales channel:

• On Amazon, your PIM will ensure that the product listing features keyword-optimized descriptions centered around trending search terms. The PIM system will also allow you to establish pricing that incorporates Amazon’s fees and adjust product availability and inventory levels instantly.

• On e-commerce platforms like Shopify, the PIM system allows you to craft a more extensive, brand-focused narrative which might appeal to customers seeking detailed product information. You can also add distinct images and videos that emphasize the product’s unique advantages.

Localizations and Multilingual Support

For international sales, the PIM should support multilingual data management, allowing for translations and adaptations across languages. The PIM should handle currency, region-specific product data (e.g., compliance labels or certifications), and regional preferences. For example, on regional marketplaces (such as Zalando in Europe or Rakuten in Japan), the PIM software allows you manage localization by modifying product descriptions, sizes, and measurements to meet local standards, convert currencies, and even adjust the language to connect with local shoppers.

Workflow Automation and better Collaboration

PIM software with multi-channel support should undoubtedly offer automation capabilities for handling recurring tasks, such as updating product information, and workflow management to maintain uniform processes among different teams and keep information consistent across multiple sales channels. For example, without automated event-triggered updates, manual updates become necessary, which, in combination with diverse sales channels available, will undoubtedly lead to errors and inconsistencies.

Customizable approval workflows ensure the accuracy of data going live on multiple channels, especially when teams need to review or approve data changes.

Scalability for New Channels

As you expand, the PIM should allow you to easily add new channels without extensive reconfiguration. Only a PIM software with a flexible data model allows adapting to new channel requirements as your business scales.

Therefore, make sure that your future PIM allows creating workflows for both approval and content enrichment. Also look for a PIM system that provides tools for automated data enrichment, validation, and quality control (e.g., automatically fill missing fields, suggest relevant keywords, translate content, etc.).

Why is AtroPIM one of the Best Multi-Channel PIM Solutions?

AtroPIM is a free open-source Product Information Management solution that offers integrations with multiple popular e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, ERP systems, and more. Here are the reasons why AtroPIM is an excellent software for businesses seeking PIM with multi-channel support:

Integration and automated data transfer to third-party platforms

AtroPIM seamlessly connects with different systems like ERP, E-commerce Platforms, Marketplaces, and allows automated data transfer among them. This is crucial for multi-channel businesses because it guarantees product information is coordinated across all sales channels without the need for manual involvement.

Flexible and customizable synchronization

AtroPIM is known for its limitless customization capabilities. It also supports bilateral data synchronization with the option to push or pull data from any system. This adaptability allows businesses to customize data flows according to their individual requirements, such as, for example, updating prices on an hourly basis, or adapting product descriptions on daily basis. With AtroPIM event-based synchronization (using the Workflows module) is also possible and guarantees that data is immediately updated when certain events (such as product updates or orders) take place.

Modular Architecture

AtroPIM modular software with both free and paid modules available for additional functionality. It allows businesses to add specific modules which can be purchased or rented, enabling business to pay exclusively for the functionality they need and use. This method offers businesses the option to pay only for necessary services and incorporate additional features as the business expands.

No coding required for system configuration

The system is user-friendly and does not require coding for basic setups. This allows businesses to control and adjust integration and synchronization processes without necessity of profound technical skills, which makes AtroPIM accessible to a broader set of users.

Key Takeaways

A multi-channel PIM system ensures data consistency across e-commerce websites, marketplaces, and physical stores, preventing data errors. It’s essential to choose a PIM with built-in integrations for popular platforms and internal systems to reduce integration costs. The system should allow for region-specific adjustments like tailored descriptions, pricing, and images. Automation for data updates and content enrichment is key to maintaining consistency. It is advisable to look for a scalable and flexible PIM with modular architecture, if you want to ensure functional multichannel support of product data that comes with reasonable costs.