What Does a Product Information Manager Do?

The only valuable data is accurate data. Manufacturers employ product information managers to maintain product data. 

What Does a Product Information Manager Do?

This critical role is responsible for obtaining and updating all applicable product information across an organization. Product management can include tracking and analyzing product data. It is common for a product information manager and product manager to collaborate in maintaining product information for the business to use.

What is product data? Examples of product data include product descriptions, benefits, features, pricing and dimensions. A product information manager can also be tasked with tracking and providing accurate information with regard to product-related digital assets such as product images, owner’s manuals, troubleshooting videos, installation videos, and product spec sheets.

Some companies have a full-time role dedicated to product information management, while other companies may have multiple people in the organization responsible for it, a team of product information managers, if you will. Product information managers are typically seen as subject matter experts for the product data they oversee.

What Is the Basic Product Information?

Now that you know what a product information manager does, you may be yearning for an example to better understand the process and what type of product data is involved. Product information is any relevant information about a product, even a product description. In other words, “any information held by an organization about the products it produces, buys, sells or distributes.”

Product information can take the form of information like a product’s SKU, pricing, features, benefits, dimensions or even functionality. Product information is not limited to the physical description of a product. Product information can also include related digital assets such as product photos, how-to videos, owner's manuals and spec sheets. Product information is beneficial to the consumer and the buyer. The more information that is easily accessible to the consumer, the more likely it is they will buy and have a positive experience with your company.

Yes, we realize this is a lot of data for a product information manager to process. That is why they are considered experts in their field!

What Is a Product Information Management System?

Product information management or PIM is a software solution that is used to centrally store and manage all types of product data for product information managers. Think about it this way: instead of having multiple filing cabinets filled with folders or multiple folders on a computer drive, PIM software has the ability to manage and organize a company’s product data, and keep it safe and secure in one location. Product data is accessible from anywhere by different employees across teams, divisions and locations. The information that is stored and managed by PIM software can be used by an organization in everything from the website to a product guide or by a salesperson trying to close that next big deal. This product data can include information about product descriptions, SKU, pricing, features, benefits, dimensions and functionality, among other things. As we explained above, product information can also include related digital assets such as product photos, how-to videos, owner's manuals and spec sheets if the PIM solution has built-in Digital Asset Management (DAM) functionality.

A PIM solution allows multiple authorized users to log in to the software and update product data in real time. Employees across divisions can look to a single source of truth for all product information. PIM software helps to reduce internal conflict, increase productivity, improve cross-collaboration, provide insights into various products, and increase the speed with which products are placed in the market.

What Is an Example of Product Information Management?

There are multiple product information management examples in the market. Some of the product information system examples providing solutions available today are offered by companies like Plytix, Pimcore, Salsify, Inriver, Catsy, and Lumavate. No matter the company, each of these solutions offers the ability to centralize the management of product data. In addition, some solutions offer additional functionality. Let’s take a look at a few of the most prominent PIMS.

PIM software examples include:

• Agility Multichannel – This PIM software solution is great for retailers looking for a product information management solution that connects with many e-commerce platforms.

• Pimcore – This solution offers a PIM plus digital asset management and a master data management (MAM) solution. Use this solution when and if you need to update all portions of your brand’s data management.

• Lumavate – Lumavate is unique in that it offers full PIM functionality with its enterprise-grade Digital Experience Platform (DXP). This allows users to add and manage their product information and related digital assets, plus use this information in digital experiences within the same platform. Additionally, any changes made to the product information are automatically updated in the applicable digital experience.

• Syndigo – This PIM is perfect for product management of intricate details, allowing for very detailed product information, including up to 250,000 unique product attributes.

Are you ready to try Lumavate’s product information management system? Book a live demo today to see how PIM can increase your business success.