How do PIM, PDM, and PLM differ from each other? And why are the sales advantages of a PIM system for managing rich product information unparalleled?

Product information is valuable, yet laborious capital. It needs to be created, edited, shared, enriched, stored, and managed. The entire repertoire cannot be handled with a single system, and without properly designed product information management, the Excel hustle is endless.

PLM, PDM, and PIM are all systems intended for product information management, each playing an important role in a company's processes. What do the acronyms mean, and why does PIM enhance customer experience and boost sales figures?

Product Lifecycle Management:
PLM, Product Lifecycle Management

PLM is responsible, as the name suggests, for managing data related to the entire lifecycle of the product, including internal processes such as definition, design, production, maintenance, and decommissioning. It is typically a tool designed for the needs of manufacturing industry, intended for product development use. PLM systems typically do not include any sales-related product information. 

Product Data Management:
PDM, Product Data Management

PDM is a system in which product data and documents are collected at various stages of product development as part of lifecycle management. It manages materials related to the manufacturing and development of the product, such as CAD drawings, parts lists, and subcontractor information.

Product Data Management system is a crucial part of product design, but the comprehensive data it contains does not meet the needs of sales and marketing.

PDM systems are often used at stages of product development and do not contain information, for example, about inventory or procurement.

Management of Rich Product Information:
PIM, Product Information Management

PIM is a system that consolidates all product information to be distributed outside the company while serving as the internal source of product information, enabling the entire organisation access to product information, thus reducing the silos between different departments and markets. 

PIM often manages product images, instructions, various certificates and other environmental data, product descriptions and other marketing information, information needed by resellers, various pdf publications such as store prints, and localisation and language versions of product information. PIM is typically a marketing and sales tool. 

Often, information from product development systems is also imported into PIM for further distribution, and in these cases, PIM does not replace them but serves as an addition, when a company aims to improve product information quality, enhance marketing, increase sales, and improve product search engine visibility.

With a PIM solution, all commercial product information is up-to-date and consistent regardless of the user, language, and channel. 

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The article was published on 4 March 2020 and updated on 17 January 2023.