First of all, you should always ask yourself: where does the company want to go? What expectations do those responsible have of a PIM system? In order to be able to carry out a meaningful PIM software comparison, it must first be defined how the company can be made more successful. Only then can you identify the risks that you may encounter on the way there and find solutions to avoid them.

In order to be able to understand the requirements that the company places on the PIM system, it is first necessary to take a look at the company and its business processes. All departments that will work with the PIM system or are affected by its introduction must be analyzed. It is important to understand what drives these people and what their problems are. Suppose you had to find the best way to get from A to B. To solve this problem, one also needs a systematic approach. But which car is suitable for it? Do you only have to transport yourself or do you need more space? Is a car enough or a delivery van? In a figurative sense, these are the questions that must be asked in the selection process for the PIM comparison. In addition, the architecture landscape is added, as is the data model. A checklist of the basic requirements for choosing a PIM system helps keep all points in mind. Once all the essential requirements have been identified in the company, they are recorded in a specification, the so-called specification.

Experienced consulting partners know the market and potential PIM software providers very well. You know which manufacturer can meet the specifications with the previously defined requirements with its system and what strengths and weaknesses the software has. Because in the end it has to fit not only with the technical requirements, but also with the corporate strategy. It is the task of the consulting company to create a long list of around 15 candidates. Qualified business consultants do this taking into account and negotiating the existing budget. For this purpose, the relevant software manufacturers are provided with a list with the core requirements, which must be answered within a certain specified time. The shortlist with around five remaining candidates is selected from the results, and these are analyzed again in detail. Together with the company, the consultants then decide which two to three system manufacturers will be invited to present their software at the end.

For the presentation, the manufacturers are given around ten use cases as tasks. The aim of the pitch presentation is to demonstrate to the management decision-making body how the respective software works in everyday life and what it can do. Of course, it makes sense to run through various problems or relevant points as concrete use cases in the presentation. The individual steps are simulated with the help of sample data. Software providers can therefore convince Pitch under the same conditions in the PIM comparison.

The pitch presentations are then evaluated and compared. The advantages and disadvantages of the PIM systems presented are compared and compliance with the requirements is analyzed. And of course the respective budget and the cost expectations of the software manufacturer also play a major role when it comes to the PIM selection.

The results are prepared by the responsible consulting company for a management decision. If the parties involved are undecided or disagree, the last step can be a “proof of concept” of the last two software finalists. Only when the systems have really proven themselves in practice simulation, the costs have been negotiated and an approximate schedule for implementation has already been drawn up should a recommendation for action be presented to the decision-making body.

If the recommendation for action shows that the software is really convincing, the decision in favor of the respective provider is not difficult. However, if several PIM systems are suitable for the company, it is up to the management committee to make a final decision and to conclude the PIM system comparison.