Why An ERP Software Isn’t Enough For Your Business (Here's A Solution You Might Be Missing!)

Learn how a PIM tool can complement an ERP system to improve business efficiency and boost revenue.
Published on

You might be familiar with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software providers such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite, etc – these solutions offer functionalities that will allow you to integrate and manage information and processes into one centralized hub, from production and supply chain to inventory and financial management.

Despite the many benefits of an ERP, there are still gaps that it is unable to solve. In this article, we will introduce how using a Product Information Management tool (PIM) can help unlock opportunities to raise efficiency and potentially boost revenue.

Consider This Crucial Component: Product Data

If you are already using an ERP software, or are considering to invest in one, you might have realized a lacking capability – in-depth product information management. For manufacturers and distributors, this is a critical piece of the business which impacts not only operational efficiency, but also top-line growth.

This is where Product Information Management systems (PIM) comes in. PIM is a specialized solution which provides a unified repository for all product information, including descriptions, attributes, images, and other related data.

Here are three areas where a PIM can be utilized to complement an ERP:

1. Enrichment of product data to improve sales & marketing

ERP systems are primarily designed to manage transactional data such as orders, invoices and payments, but not rich media content.

A study by HingeGlobal found that as much as 25% of consumers are more likely to buy an item when the product has enhanced product content. This includes images, videos, animations, and other multimedia files that make a product visually appealing.

PIM acts as the one source of truth, allowing users to extract accurate and up-to-date product information. Without a PIM, these product details and files are likely going to be scattered across various teams and folders, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to gather and use them for sales and marketing activities.

2. Syndication of product data for multiple B2C sales channels

ERPs are also not well-suited for managing the complex and constantly changing product data formats that are required for e-commerce and marketplaces.  

A PIM can facilitate the management of complex product hierarchies, such as bundles and variants. It can also manage translations, ensuring that product information is consistent across multiple languages.

3. Distribution of product data to increase lead generation

Another feature of a PIM tool is the automation of mundane processes such as catalog generation, quotation & order creation etc. When you create or update your product info and assets, they are synced in real-time, which means your sales reps will always be able to generate the latest product catalogs with just a few clicks of a button.

Some PIM solutions will also allow you to customize and share online catalogs by selecting only the products your buyers requested for. You may even receive RFQs or orders directly from the e-catalog. This reduces your time to market when launching new products or updating buyers with pricing or promotional changes.

So, Do I Need Both ERP and PIM softwares?

Essentially, PIM acts as an extension of ERP, providing additional functionality and capabilities that are specifically designed to support the management of product information. PIM systems typically integrate with ERP systems, allowing for seamless data exchange between the two. This means that businesses can manage both transactional and product data from a single system, resulting in greater efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.

If you don’t currently use an ERP, but are looking for solutions to digitize your business, you might want to consider starting with a PIM system. Setting up a good foundation with clean, high quality product data will make it easier should you decide to invest in heavier tech stacks in the future.

See how it works for your business?

Trustana is a connected product experience platform that allows you to automate your sales operations and helps you grow your business faster. Book a demo with us to learn more!

Table of Contents
Back

Why An ERP Software Isn’t Enough For Your Business (Here's A Solution You Might Be Missing!)

how a PIM tool can complement an ERP system to improve business efficiency and boost revenue

You might be familiar with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software providers such as SAP, Oracle, Epicor, NetSuite, etc – these solutions offer functionalities that will allow you to integrate and manage information and processes into one centralized hub, from production and supply chain to inventory and financial management.

Despite the many benefits of an ERP, there are still gaps that it is unable to solve. In this article, we will introduce how using a Product Information Management tool (PIM) can help unlock opportunities to raise efficiency and potentially boost revenue.

Consider This Crucial Component: Product Data

If you are already using an ERP software, or are considering to invest in one, you might have realized a lacking capability – in-depth product information management. For manufacturers and distributors, this is a critical piece of the business which impacts not only operational efficiency, but also top-line growth.

This is where Product Information Management systems (PIM) comes in. PIM is a specialized solution which provides a unified repository for all product information, including descriptions, attributes, images, and other related data.

Here are three areas where a PIM can be utilized to complement an ERP:

1. Enrichment of product data to improve sales & marketing

ERP systems are primarily designed to manage transactional data such as orders, invoices and payments, but not rich media content.

A study by HingeGlobal found that as much as 25% of consumers are more likely to buy an item when the product has enhanced product content. This includes images, videos, animations, and other multimedia files that make a product visually appealing.

PIM acts as the one source of truth, allowing users to extract accurate and up-to-date product information. Without a PIM, these product details and files are likely going to be scattered across various teams and folders, making it cumbersome and time-consuming to gather and use them for sales and marketing activities.

2. Syndication of product data for multiple B2C sales channels

ERPs are also not well-suited for managing the complex and constantly changing product data formats that are required for e-commerce and marketplaces.  

A PIM can facilitate the management of complex product hierarchies, such as bundles and variants. It can also manage translations, ensuring that product information is consistent across multiple languages.

3. Distribution of product data to increase lead generation

Another feature of a PIM tool is the automation of mundane processes such as catalog generation, quotation & order creation etc. When you create or update your product info and assets, they are synced in real-time, which means your sales reps will always be able to generate the latest product catalogs with just a few clicks of a button.

Some PIM solutions will also allow you to customize and share online catalogs by selecting only the products your buyers requested for. You may even receive RFQs or orders directly from the e-catalog. This reduces your time to market when launching new products or updating buyers with pricing or promotional changes.

So, Do I Need Both ERP and PIM softwares?

Essentially, PIM acts as an extension of ERP, providing additional functionality and capabilities that are specifically designed to support the management of product information. PIM systems typically integrate with ERP systems, allowing for seamless data exchange between the two. This means that businesses can manage both transactional and product data from a single system, resulting in greater efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.

If you don’t currently use an ERP, but are looking for solutions to digitize your business, you might want to consider starting with a PIM system. Setting up a good foundation with clean, high quality product data will make it easier should you decide to invest in heavier tech stacks in the future.

See how it works for your business?

Trustana is a connected product experience platform that allows you to automate your sales operations and helps you grow your business faster. Book a demo with us to learn more!

Upgrading ERP with a PIM FAQ

What is the role of a Product Information Management (PIM) system in relation to an ERP?

A PIM system focuses on managing and enriching product data for multiple sales channels, while an ERP system handles back-office functions like inventory management, order processing, and financials. Integrating both systems ensures accurate, up-to-date product information is easily available for business operations and customer-facing touchpoints.

How does a PIM improve the product data handled by an ERP system?

While ERP systems store critical product data, they often lack the tools to enhance or structure this data for online sales. A PIM system takes this raw data from the ERP, enriches it with detailed product descriptions, specifications, images, and other attributes, making it ready for e-commerce platforms and marketplaces.

Can integrating a PIM with an ERP reduce manual work?

Yes, a PIM system automates much of the process of organizing and enriching product data, significantly reducing manual data entry and the risk of human error. It allows businesses to efficiently manage product information across multiple platforms without duplicating effort in the ERP system.

How can a PIM boost revenue for e-commerce businesses?

A PIM ensures that product data is consistent, accurate, and comprehensive across all sales channels. This leads to improved customer experience, higher conversion rates, better search visibility, and ultimately, more sales. Rich product content also supports better search engine optimization (SEO) and higher product discoverability.

How does a PIM improve data accuracy for better decision-making?

By centralizing and streamlining product data management, a PIM system provides a single source of truth. This ensures that decision-makers have access to reliable, real-time product information, leading to more informed business decisions and efficient operations.

What kind of business processes benefit the most from using a PIM alongside an ERP system?

E-commerce, digital marketing, inventory management, and order fulfillment processes benefit greatly from integrating a PIM with an ERP system. The PIM streamlines product data for faster go-to-market times, while the ERP ensures smooth back-office operations like inventory management and order tracking.

How does a PIM impact the scalability of a retail business?

A PIM allows businesses to manage large volumes of product information more efficiently, making it easier to scale operations. As businesses expand into new markets, add product lines, or diversify sales channels, a PIM ensures product data remains consistent and easy to manage.

Can a PIM help with multi-channel selling?

Yes, a PIM ensures that product information is structured and adaptable to different e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and physical stores. By syncing product data across all touchpoints, it allows businesses to maintain brand consistency and optimize product content for each channel.

How does integrating a PIM and ERP reduce time-to-market for new products?

By automating product data management and enrichment, a PIM speeds up the process of getting products ready for sale across multiple channels. When combined with the efficiency of an ERP system, this leads to faster product launches and quicker responses to market demand.

What are the financial benefits of using a PIM alongside an ERP system?

A PIM reduces inefficiencies, manual work, and errors associated with managing product data. This leads to cost savings, faster time-to-market, and improved customer satisfaction, ultimately increasing revenue. The ability to scale and enhance product content also supports higher average order values and better customer retention.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
key-performance-indicator-kpi
Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
generative-engine-optimization-geo
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
answer-engine-optimization-aeo
Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)
direct-to-consumer-dtc
Product Content Management (PCM)
product-content-management-pcm
White Label Product
white-label-product
User Experience (UX)
user-experience-ux
UPC (Universal Product Code)
upc-universal-product-code
Third-Party Marketplace
third-party-marketplace
Structured Data
structured-data
Syndication
syndication
Stale Content
stale-content
SKU-Level Analytics
sku-level-analytics
SKU Rationalization
sku-rationalization
SKU Performance
sku-performance
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
sku-stock-keeping-unit
SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
seo-search-engine-optimization
Sell-Through Rate
sell-through-rate
Search Relevance
search-relevance
Search Merchandising
search-merchandising
Rich Media
rich-media
Retailer Portal
retailer-portal
Retail Content Syndication
retail-content-syndication
Retail Media
retail-media
Personalization
personalization
Product Data Versioning
product-data-versioning
Replatforming
replatforming
Retail Analytics
retail-analytics
Repricing Tool
repricing-tool
Real-Time Updates
real-time-updates
Product Visibility
product-visibility
Product Variant
product-variant
Product Validation
product-validation
Product Upload
product-upload
Product Title Optimization
product-title-optimization
Product Taxonomy Tree
product-taxonomy-tree
Product Taxonomy
product-taxonomy
Product Tagging
product-tagging
Product Syndication Lag
product-syndication-lag
Product Syndication
product-syndication
Product Status Tracking
product-status-tracking
Product Schema
product-schema
Product Page Bounce Rate
product-page-bounce-rate
Product Onboarding
product-onboarding
Product Metadata
product-metadata
Product Matching
product-matching
Product Lifecycle Stage
product-lifecycle-stage
Product Information Management (PIM)
product-information-management-pim
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
product-lifecycle-management-plm
Product Info Templates
product-info-templates
Product Import
product-import
Product Feed Validation
product-feed-validation
Product Feed Scheduling
product-feed-scheduling
Product Feed
product-feed
Product Family
product-family
Product Export
product-export
Product Discovery
product-discovery
Product Detail Page (PDP)
product-detail-page-pdp
Product Dimension Attributes
product-dimension-attributes
Product Description
product-description
Product Data Syndication Platforms
product-data-syndication-platforms
Product Data Sheet
product-data-sheet
Product Data Quality
product-data-quality
Product Data Harmonization
product-data-harmonization
Product Comparison
product-comparison
Product Content Enrichment
product-content-enrichment
Product Compliance
product-compliance
Product Channel Fit
product-channel-fit
Product Categorization
product-categorization
Product Badging
product-badging
Product Bundling
product-bundling
Product Attributes
product-attributes
Product Attribute Completeness
product-attribute-completeness
PDP Optimization
pdp-optimization
Price Scraping
price-scraping
Out-of-Stock Alerts
out-of-stock-alerts
PDP Heatmap
pdp-heatmap
PDP Conversion Rate
pdp-conversion-rate
Omnichannel Strategy
omnichannel-strategy
Omnichannel
omnichannel
Net New SKU Creation
net-new-sku-creation
Multichannel Retailing
multichannel-retailing
Mobile Optimization
mobile-optimization
Marketplace Listing Errors
marketplace-listing-errors
Metadata
metadata
Marketplace Reconciliation
marketplace-reconciliation
Lifecycle Automation
lifecycle-automation
Marketplace Compliance
marketplace-compliance
Marketplace
marketplace
MAP Pricing (Minimum Advertised Price)
map-pricing-minimum-advertised-price
Long-Tail Keywords
long-tail-keywords
Localization Tags
localization-tags
Listing Optimization
listing-optimization
Inventory Management
inventory-management
GTM (Go-to-Market) Strategy
gtm-go-to-market-strategy
Intelligent Search
intelligent-search
Image Optimization
image-optimization
Headless Commerce
headless-commerce
GTIN (Global Trade Item Number)
gtin-global-trade-item-number
Fuzzy Search
fuzzy-search
Flat File
flat-file
First-Mile Fulfillment
first-mile-fulfillment
First-Party Data
first-party-data-a51e9
Feed Testing Environment
feed-testing-environment
Feed-Based Advertising
feed-based-advertising
Feed Optimization Tool
feed-optimization-tool
Feed Management
feed-management
Feed Diagnostics
feed-diagnostics
Faceted Search
faceted-search
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
erp-enterprise-resource-planning
EPID (eBay Product ID)
epid-ebay-product-id
Enrichment Rules
enrichment-rules
E-commerce Platform
e-commerce-platform
Enhanced Brand Content (EBC)
enhanced-brand-content-ebc
EAN (European Article Number)
ean-european-article-number
Drop Shipping
drop-shipping
Dynamic Pricing
dynamic-pricing
Duplicate Content
duplicate-content
Digital Transformation
digital-transformation
Digital Shelf
digital-shelf
Digital Asset Management (DAM)
digital-asset-management-dam
Data Syncing
data-syncing
Data Normalization
data-normalization
Data Mapping
data-mapping
Data Governance
data-governance
Data Feed Transformation
data-feed-transformation
Data Feed Error Report
data-feed-error-report
Data Feed Rules
data-feed-rules
Data Enrichment Pipeline
data-enrichment-pipeline
Data Deduplication
data-deduplication
Customer Experience (CX)
customer-experience-cx
Conversion Rate
conversion-rate
Content Scalability
content-scalability
Quality Assurance (QA)
quality-assurance-qa
Content Localization
content-localization
Content Governance
content-governance
Content Gaps
content-gaps
Channel-Specific Optimization
channel-specific-optimization
Channel Readiness
channel-readiness
Category Mapping
category-mapping
Catalog Management
catalog-management
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
buy-now-pay-later-bnpl
Breadcrumb Navigation
breadcrumb-navigation
Buy Box
buy-box
Automated Workflows
automated-workflows
Automated Categorization
automated-categorization
Automated Content Generation
automated-content-generation
Attribution Tags
attribution-tags
Attribute Standardization
attribute-standardization
API (Application Programming Interface)
api-application-programming-interface
Attribute Mapping
attribute-mapping
AI Tagging
ai-tagging
First-Party Data
first-party-data
Data Clean-up
data-clean-up
Blacklisting (in feeds)
blacklisting-in-feeds
A/B Testing
a-b-testing