Selecting and implementing a Product Information Management (PIM) system is one of the most strategic technology decisions a business can make. Yet many organisations still treat it as a software purchase rather than what it really is: a business transformation.
Without the right preparation across technology, data, and people, even the most advanced PIM will struggle to deliver measurable value.
This article outlines ten key areas for retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to consider when planning a PIM in 2026, including governance, data quality, enrichment, scalability, and ROI.
1. Define your business goals
Before you explore vendors or feature lists, be clear about what you want to achieve.
Are you trying to reduce time-to-market, streamline supplier onboarding, or improve SEO and conversion through richer product content? Every PIM project should start with a business case that aligns technology with measurable outcomes.
At Start with Data, we help clients define a clear vision of success that connects system capabilities to commercial goals and operational KPIs.
2. Assess data maturity and governance
The best technology can only perform as well as the data it manages. A PIM implementation will fail without strong governance, clear ownership, and consistent quality standards.
Ask these questions early:
- Who owns each attribute or data set?
- How are changes reviewed and approved?
- What KPIs measure data quality and completeness?
Data maturity goes beyond accuracy. It includes normalisation, enrichment, and completeness — ensuring that every product record is structured, comparable, and ready to use across all channels. A strong governance framework enables this, reducing risk and creating a foundation for automation.
3. Create a product data roadmap
Your roadmap defines how you move from your current state to a future where product data is complete, consistent, and centrally managed.
It should outline business priorities, dependencies, and realistic milestones for rollout. A strong roadmap usually includes:
- A review of current data management practices
- An impact assessment of process and technology changes
- Plans for resourcing, user training, and change management
It should also consider taxonomy and schema design — the structure that organises your products, attributes, and relationships. A clear taxonomy helps customers find products easily through filters and search, while a strong schema ensures your PIM can manage complex relationships like variants, bundles, and configurable products.
Include milestones for data cleansing, standardisation, and enrichment, not just system implementation. A roadmap should evolve as your data and business mature, rather than remain a static document.
4. Make data quality control a continual process
Data quality is never “finished.” It requires constant attention and improvement.
Before product data enters your PIM, it must be cleansed, normalised, and enriched so it is consistent, structured, and ready for use. Cleansing removes duplicates, errors, and outdated fields. Normalisation aligns formats, units, and attribute values across suppliers and systems. Enrichment fills gaps with detailed descriptions, attributes, and media that improve customer experience.
Modern PIM systems now include data observability tools that track accuracy, completeness, and freshness in real time. These tools highlight issues such as missing attributes, duplicate entries, or inconsistent labelling before they reach customers.
AI can automate many of these checks, but human oversight remains essential. The strongest programmes combine AI-powered validation and enrichment with governance and stewardship.
The goal is to maintain data that is accurate, consistent, and complete — not only at launch but throughout the entire product lifecycle.
5. Engage your key stakeholders early
Successful PIM projects are collaborative from the start. They involve senior leaders, product managers, IT, marketing, and data teams. Early engagement ensures the solution reflects real business needs and secures buy-in across the organisation.
During the discovery phase, capture insights such as:
- How each team uses product data
- Where current processes are breaking down
- What success will look like for different departments
Early alignment helps transform PIM from an IT system into a shared business platform that supports every team’s goals.
6. Identify the direct beneficiaries of PIM
A well-implemented PIM benefits far more than just the IT department. It improves visibility and performance across the business:
- Sales: Access to accurate, updated product information on demand.
- eCommerce: Consistent, SEO-optimised product content that improves customer experience.
- Marketing: Faster, more coordinated multi-channel campaigns.
- Customers: Richer, more detailed information that builds confidence and reduces returns.
When users see tangible benefits in their daily work, adoption follows naturally.
7. Design for multiple user types
Different users have different needs and permissions. In 2026, role-based access control is essential.
Manufacturers, suppliers, content teams, and managers each require different levels of access and visibility. A strong PIM design gives each user group what they need while keeping sensitive data protected.
Modern PIM systems also include AI-driven assistants that personalise dashboards, automate approvals, and recommend actions. This saves time and helps users focus on value-added work.
8. Integrate intelligently
Integration is no longer the biggest barrier to PIM success. Today’s composable systems connect seamlessly with ERPs, DAMs, eCommerce platforms, and marketplaces through APIs and event-driven updates.
When evaluating PIM options, look for:
- Real-time synchronisation of product data
- Multi-language and multi-region capabilities
- Automated syndication to channels and marketplaces
Good integration design ensures smooth data flow, reduces manual intervention, and future-proofs your digital ecosystem.
9. Plan for growth and scalability
Your PIM should grow with your business. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, adding suppliers, or introducing complex product variants, the platform should scale without disruption.
Composable PIMs offer this flexibility. They allow new modules, channels, or data sources to be added without starting over. Combined with structured data models, taxonomy alignment, and enrichment workflows, scalability ensures long-term adaptability and efficiency.
10. Measure ROI and long-term impact
Return on investment goes beyond cost savings. A strong PIM delivers measurable improvements in efficiency, customer experience, and business performance.
Track metrics such as:
- Reduced supplier onboarding time
- Improved data completeness and accuracy
- Higher conversion rates and SEO visibility
- Lower return rates and fewer listing errors
- Increased team productivity and engagement
Modern dashboards make these metrics visible in real time, turning PIM from a project into a performance engine.
Building success with the right partner
At Start with Data, we work with retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to design and implement PIM solutions that deliver real outcomes — cleaner data, faster onboarding, and stronger customer experiences. We turn complex product data challenges into scalable, manageable systems that help your business grow with confidence.
If you’re planning to implement or optimise a PIM solution in 2026, get in touch. We’ll help you design, configure, and launch a PIM that turns your product data into a genuine business advantage.
PIM readiness checklist
Before you begin your PIM journey, ask yourself:
✅ Do we have a clear business case and measurable goals for our PIM project?
✅ Is our product data accurate, complete, and well governed?
✅ Have we cleansed, normalised, and enriched our existing data?
✅ Have we designed a clear taxonomy and schema structure?
✅ Have we mapped out how PIM will integrate with our other systems?
✅ Are key stakeholders engaged and aligned on data ownership?
✅ Do we have the internal skills (or the right partner) to manage change effectively?
✅ Have we defined how success will be tracked after implementation?
If you answered “no” to any of these, it’s time for a conversation. Contact Start with Data and we’ll help you create a roadmap that transforms your product data into a business advantage.