Change is happening fast, and every margin point matters. Retailers, manufacturers and distributors all face the same challenge: doing more with less. Faster time to market, lower operational costs and consistent product information across every channel are now essentials, not extras.
But poor product data makes these goals harder to achieve. Disorganised supplier data, duplicate processes and disconnected systems all drain time and money.
This article explores how recent advances in product data management (PDM) and Product Information Management (PIM) technology can turn those challenges into opportunities to reduce costs, simplify operations and turn data into a measurable business asset.
The High Cost of Poor Product Data
Many businesses spend millions each year trying to fix problems that could have been prevented. Inaccurate attributes, mismatched images and missing compliance details may sound like small issues, but they have a ripple effect across the entire business.
Teams waste time manually cleaning spreadsheets and retyping supplier data. Customers get frustrated by incomplete information and abandon purchases. Poor descriptions and wrong specifications drive up return rates, adding unnecessary costs.
Research shows that inconsistent product data can reduce conversions by up to 20% and increase operational costs by 15% or more. Improving data quality is not just good hygiene; it is a direct route to profitability.
From Static Systems to Intelligent Platforms
PIM platforms have evolved dramatically. What used to be static data repositories are now intelligent, AI-powered ecosystems that handle much of the heavy lifting once done manually.
Today’s systems can:
- Automate data onboarding with tools like SKU Launch, which collect and standardise supplier data, fill gaps and detect errors using AI.
- Generate product content using tools such as Descriptionwise, which create SEO-friendly titles, descriptions and bullet points that align with brand and compliance standards.
- Use modular architecture to reduce maintenance costs and avoid vendor lock-in while making updates simpler.
These innovations remove duplication, speed up processes and deliver significant savings by reducing manual work and improving data accuracy.
Streamlining Supplier Onboarding
Supplier data onboarding has long been one of the most expensive and frustrating parts of product data management. Each supplier uses different formats, meaning teams spend countless hours cleaning and restructuring data before anything can go live.
New onboarding tools are tackling this directly. Using machine learning, suppliers can now upload data in their own formats while the system automatically maps attributes and flags only true exceptions for review.
A process that once took weeks now takes hours. The result is up to 60% lower onboarding costs, faster product launches and internal teams freed to focus on enrichment, optimisation and value-added work.
Data Governance as a Cost Control Mechanism
Good governance keeps costs under control. Without clear standards and accountability, errors multiply across systems and channels. Duplicate SKUs, missing attributes and inconsistent naming conventions all create hidden costs that build up over time.
A strong governance model prevents this by ensuring standardisation, accountability and continuous monitoring. In practice, that means having agreed attribute definitions, clear ownership for approvals and dashboards that track accuracy and completeness in real time.
Modern PIMs make this simpler through automation. They surface issues before they impact customers or operations, allowing teams to act quickly and maintain confidence in every piece of product data.
The Superpowers of Automation and AI
AI is no longer an add-on. It is now the backbone of efficient product data management. Automation saves time and reduces human error, while AI brings speed and scale to enrichment and validation.
It can:
- Detect missing or inconsistent values and suggest fixes.
- Map supplier data to your internal taxonomy automatically.
- Generate consistent, compliant product copy at scale.
The most successful businesses use AI and automation as partners, not replacements. Human oversight ensures context, accuracy and brand alignment, while AI provides the volume, speed and precision. Together, they create measurable cost savings and long-term scalability.
Integration: Eliminating Duplication and Waste
Disconnected systems are expensive to run and maintain. Every manual integration between ERP, DAM and eCommerce systems adds friction, risk and extra work.
Modern PIMs eliminate this duplication by acting as a single, trusted hub for product data. When updates are made, changes cascade automatically to websites, marketplaces and catalogues in real time. This removes rework, reduces errors and ensures every team works from one consistent source of truth.
The impact is both financial and operational: fewer wasted hours, faster updates and a more unified customer experience across every channel.
Measuring Financial Outcomes
A PIM investment must deliver measurable results. The most reliable indicators of success include:
- Shorter product onboarding times
- Fewer manual data-cleansing hours
- Reduced return rates from accurate content
- Higher conversion rates from richer product pages
At Start with Data, we work with clients to connect these results directly to financial KPIs, ensuring every improvement contributes to reduced costs and increased revenue.
The Right Mindset: Continuous Improvement
Cost reduction is not a one-off exercise. It is the result of consistent governance and ongoing monitoring. Businesses that treat product data as a living, evolving asset continue to see gains long after implementation.
That means scheduling monthly quality reviews, setting up automated alerts for schema changes and keeping teams trained and engaged. Over time, this discipline compounds, saving money, improving speed and ensuring data remains a dependable foundation for growth.
Ready to Turn Product Data into Profit?
Your product data can either drain resources or drive savings. The difference is how you manage it.
If you are ready to cut costs, accelerate performance and use AI to power long-term efficiency, we can help.
Get in touch with Start with Data today to see how the right PIM strategy can turn your product information into a cost-saving, revenue-generating powerhouse.