As eCommerce continues to evolve with competing platforms, technologies and approaches, businesses are increasingly looking at composable commerce strategies that enable them to use various best-of-breed technologies in one coherent ecosystem.
Often referred to as composable commerce, this approach, when executed well, allows businesses to stay agile and competitive in crowded marketplaces. A composable approach empowers merchants to select best-in-class tools and integrate them into a modular architecture.
While the promise of composable commerce is compelling, its success depends heavily on having a solid foundation. For online merchants, I would argue that foundation is the product catalogue. A comprehensive, accurate and enriching database of product information that enables users to find and understand what you are selling and why they should buy it. So it makes sense for the first system a user incorporates into their composable commerce strategy to be the Product Information Management System, or PIM for short.
Many different PIM platforms exist but for the purposes of this article, I will focus on the Akeneo PIM, one of the leading solutions in this space and a CTI Digital technology partner.
In this article, we’ll explore why a PIM system should be the cornerstone of your composable commerce ecosystem and highlight the unique advantages of Akeneo PIM. Whether you’re an eCommerce merchant seeking scalability, efficiency or improved customer experience, this guide will demonstrate why investing in a PIM system is a worthwhile stop on that journey.
Understanding the role of a PIM system
A PIM system is a central repository where businesses can manage all product-related information, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and enrichment across all sales channels. It enables merchants to streamline product data management and deliver high-quality, consistent product information to customers, regardless of the channel.
Key functions of a PIM system include:
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Centralised Data Management: Consolidates product data from multiple sources into one place with a consistency of data fields and formatting.
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Data Enrichment: Enhances product data with categories, attributes, descriptions, images, identifiers and prices.
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Multichannel Distribution: Synchronises product information across eCommerce platforms, marketplaces and channels, allowing for multi-channel selling strategies.
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Localisation: Facilitates translations and adaptations for global markets, such as multi-currency pricing.
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Governance and Quality Control: Ensures that data is accurate, consistent, and compliant, often with multi-stage approval processes.
Why a PIM system should be the first tool in your composable ecosystem
PIM lays the foundation for integration
A composable commerce ecosystem relies on seamless integration between tools. A PIM system acts as the single source of truth for product data, providing a stable foundation for other tools like eCommerce platforms, CRMs, Finance and ERP systems, all of which are likely to need some or all of your product data to function properly. Without a PIM system, inconsistencies and inefficiencies can ripple through your entire ecosystem.
Drives a superior customer experience
Customers demand accurate, detailed, and engaging product information. A PIM system ensures that every channel reflects that high-quality data, reducing friction in the buying journey, reducing support requests, reducing returns and boosting customer confidence. This is particularly critical in industries like fashion, electronics, and home goods, where detailed product information significantly influences purchasing decisions.
Speeds up time-to-market
In today’s fast-paced market, being the first to launch a new product or enter a new channel can be a competitive advantage. A PIM system like Akeneo accelerates this process by streamlining product data management and distribution, allowing merchants to move quickly as new sales channels emerge.
Simplifies global expansion
Launching in international markets requires localised product information, including translations, cultural adaptations and compliance with regional regulations. Akeneo PIM’s localisation capabilities make it easy to manage these complexities, ensuring a smoother expansion process.
Reduces operational overhead
Managing product data manually can be a drain on resources. By automating processes and improving data quality, a PIM system reduces the time and cost associated with managing product information, freeing up resources for other initiatives.
Why Akeneo PIM is a perfect fit for composable commerce
Akeneo PIM is a market-leading solution known for its user-friendly interface, scalability and ability to handle complex product data requirements. Although other PIM systems exist on the market, we think Akeneo is a great choice for merchants building a composable commerce ecosystem. It offers the following benefits within a composable commerce stack:
Comprehensive API
Composable architectures work by enabling different tools to connect and communicate, creating a seamless ecosystem for your eCommerce business. Akeneo facilitates with a powerful REST API and tools such as Postman, allowing data to flow in and out of the platform. This ensures clean, accurate product data from a single source is distributed across your ecosystem.
Centralised product data management
In a composable ecosystem, merchants rely on multiple tools such as eCommerce platforms, ERPs, CRMs and other tools required for successful business operation. Akeneo PIM serves as a central hub, ensuring all tools have access to consistent, up-to-date product information. Updates are made in Akeneo and passed along to all connected systems, eliminating silos, reducing duplication, and maintaining alignment across platforms.
Enhanced product data enrichment
Customers expect rich, detailed product information to make informed purchase decisions. Akeneo PIM enables merchants to enrich product data with high-quality descriptions, media, images and technical specifications. With advanced features like product families and attributes, Akeneo helps ensure every product listing is complete, compelling and helpful. Driving sales, reducing returns and improving client satisfaction.
Seamless multichannel integration
Composable commerce thrives on integration, and Akeneo PIM excels in distributing product data across channels. Whether it’s your eCommerce storefront, marketplaces like Amazon and Ebay, or social media channels such as TikTok shops, Akeneo ensures that accurate product information is delivered consistently to where your potential customers are shopping. This reduces time to market and builds brand trust.
Scalability for growing businesses
As businesses expand their product catalogues or enter new markets, managing product data becomes increasingly complex. Akeneo PIM is designed to scale with your business, handling large volumes of data and supporting multiple languages and currencies for global operations.
Improved operational efficiency
Managing product data manually or across disparate systems can be time-consuming and error-prone. It is also the antithesis of a composable architecture. Akeneo PIM automates repetitive tasks like data entry, validation and updates, freeing up commerce teams to focus on strategic activities rather than administrative work.
The CTI Digital view
In a composable commerce ecosystem, where flexibility and integration are key, a PIM system should be the foundation in your stack. The three pillars of an eCommerce operation are products, customers and orders, and any good composable architecture should provide the tools needed to effectively manage all three. Akeneo PIM excels in product management, centralising and enriching product data while ensuring consistency, scalability and efficiency across all channels.
By investing in Akeneo PIM, merchants can lay a strong foundation for their composable ecosystem, delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving business growth. Whether you’re a mid-sized retailer or a global enterprise, Akeneo PIM can help you streamline operations, scale your business and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive eCommerce landscape.
As experts in composable commerce and digital transformation, CTI Digital is here to help you integrate Akeneo PIM into your ecosystem and maximise its full potential. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your journey to composable commerce success.
