PIM systems: an ideal solution for multilingual web shops

If you’re the owner or manager of a web shop you’re probably familiar with PIM systems. In e-commerce these central storage and management platforms for product information have become part of the furniture by now. But what is a PIM system exactly? And how can using such a system be a boon when making your web shop available in multiple languages?

PIM is an abbreviation for Product Information Management. A PIM system makes it possible for e-commerce companies to manage massive quantities of information in one central location while at the same time using all relevant tools and environments such as Google Shopping, Google Ads, social media, automated emails, administrative processes et cetera. Rather than having to use different systems to add and manage product data, all of these features can now be used in a centralised manner. Furthermore, thanks to its extensive linking capabilities, data is now immediately available at the appropriate locations. And updates are implemented directly in all tools and environments. You can imagine how this improves consistency and the amount of time you will save! PIM systems can easily be connected to virtually all prevalent e-commerce platforms, ERP systems, CRM systems and bookkeeping software. They are however very flexible systems and can be fully tailored to your needs and wishes. 

PIM systems are mostly used by companies who deal with massive quantities of products. At leading e-commerce organisations hundreds of articles are being added, edited or removed daily. An example is Bol.com, the most popular platform for online shopping in the Netherlands. Without the ‘ProductFlow’ system, processing the hundreds of thousands of products on their website would be quite problematic. Other online shopping giants such as Amazon would also not be able to function without a PIM system. However, PIM systems aren’t just a worthwhile addition to large companies only. Implementing such a system can also benefit medium sized and even some small businesses. 

The main benefit of a PIM system is centralisation. Product data has to be added, edited, or removed only once. These changes are then automatically implemented in linked tools and environments, often in real-time. You can even keep track of product stock in a PIM system! Speed, utility and synchronisation are keywords when it comes to PIM systems. Consistency is also key: customers will see the same information appear on different platforms. This improves the shopping experience. Furthermore, PIM systems are usually powerful and future-proof. You may offer 100 articles right now but want to expand to 10,000. A PIM system can help you manage your expansion. 

All PIM systems support multiple languages. In effect all product information can be translated through your PIM system after which it is available in the same flexible manner as the original data. In many cases you can also link your PIM system to a translation management system. You simply feed it into or edit it in your PIM system and the sentences will be ‘checked out’ and submitted for translation. After it has been translated you check the sentences for errors, and you’re all done. You can also use automated translation systems, such as Google Translate or DeepL. 

The ‘check out’ of product information usually requires an API, or Application Programming Interface. This software makes it possible for your PIM system and translation environment to communicate with each other. The product information that needs to be translated exits your PIM system through the API and will re-enter in the same way after translation. Depending on your translation method – either a ‘real’ human translator or though automation – your new or updated product information will be available to foreign customers within minutes or days. 

This is difficult to say. These days there is quite a wide range of systems to choose from. Every system had its own pros and cons. In the Netherlands, the most used PIM systems are Akaneo and PimCore. Other widely used systems are SAP Hybris, Informatica, Riversand and IBM InfoSphere. Which PIM system best suits your company depends on your own needs and wishes. 

Are you already using a PIM system and looking to use it for your multilingual web shop? Or are you considering implementation of a PIM system, but not sure which one to choose? Don’t hesitate to contact us! We can offer you well-informed advice.