Automations in the PIM system

It won't get any easier

Working with data can be labor- and time-intensive. Particularly for maintaining the data, resources are necessary to keep the content of the PIM system up-to-date. Resources that could be better utilized elsewhere. With our PIM system dynamicPIM®, we have addressed this situation by utilizing targeted automation through an API interface and output containers, the output formats. The automated text generation is an additional cherry on top. Let's take a closer look at these automations in the PIM.

The API Interface: Master Data Maintenance at the Push of a Button

The API interface automatically and purposefully transmits data according to structure, fields, and requirements, or imports data into our system. There are generally several options for this.
The first way is manual maintenance. This is sensible when dealing with smaller structures, few products, and possibly lower frequency of turnover.

The second way is mass upload of structured data. For this, we offer the Excel import in dynamicPIM®. An Excel template (.xlsx) can be generated from the system that always represents the current fields of the system – thus adapting dynamically to the system. It also considers that certain metadata for links to media objects or product/product relations are provided. This means that structured imports can also process the more time-consuming tasks of building relations (media/media, product/media, product/product). This is extremely important as it represents a significant strength of PIM systems. They ideally map all relationships that are of interest for sales.

Pulling and Passing Data – Completely Automated

The third way is the API interface, one of the automations in the PIM. The API interface accesses the data fields in the background and can pass data to a counterpart as well as pull data from other systems. And it works completely automated and as individually as needed, e.g., in a specific time sequence.
This function typically comes into play when input from a global system is to be fed in, for example, an internal SAP application. Here, it must be defined which data should be pulled, at what time intervals, and with what restrictions. Workflow scenarios can also be considered, as there may be end dates set that automatically archive the data in our system.

Automations in the PIM System Also Work in Output

In the output, that is, from our system, there are also various possibilities for automations in PIM. Trade partners pull the required data via an interface directly. These are subject to considerations of the customer group, as only data associated with this customer group should be pulled.

Or a shop system pulls master data from the API and automatically fills the shop with it. A website pulls data for product detail pages (PDP) from our system and enriches it with comparison tables as well as optionally all associated media objects like images and videos. If something changes – even in global systems – it is only changed at one location and updated in the next cycle. As if by magic.

There are many scenarios: what they all have in common is that they significantly optimize the data flows of product and media data and ensure that data is outstanding in quality and up-to-dateness.

Automated Text Creation from the PIM – retresco Makes It Possible

Especially when it comes to the creation of product texts, e.g., for an online shop, automations in the PIM system can increase efficiency. The text engine from our partner retresco is optionally integrated as a module in dynamicPIM® and can be used with separate licensing in full functionality.
This feature automatically generates texts from structured data, thus allowing for the creation of engaging texts in different variants. The big advantage: This allows texts in different languages and variants to be sent to various trade partners, thus preventing duplicated content for Google & Co. This is a real SEO boost for your texts!

Once the product cartridges have been created, only the structured data needs to be maintained properly.

Since texts are now created specifically for each trade partner, all target groups are served individually, and the copywriter does not have to create each individual text.

Is the Copywriter Out of a Job Then?

Clearly: No. It is, as often happens in the context of digitalization projects. The job will change, but it is not replaced. The text engine especially helps with very large quantities of product descriptions or item texts that frequently undergo changes. For each product group, so-called cartridges must be created, which enable the compilation of texts.
Here, expertise and a good sense of text structure and style are required. Introduction, main body, conclusion … all text passages must be created and adapted to the respective product type, such as shampoo, razor, lipstick, make-up, television, hi-fi system, etc.…

The Output Containers in the PIM System – Product Data as You Need It

Let’s move on to further automations in the PIM: The Output Containers are an output format that either applies generally or is only accessible to certain user groups. In addition to the API, which can provide data in the background, these output containers can be used in many application cases, for example, as a Microsoft Excel output format.

You can create an Excel table for a mass download or with a specific customer format for trade partners like Rossmann, dm, REWE, Aldi, Amazon, Zalando, Otto, Media Markt, etc. with just a few clicks. The formats can be completely different and are created directly from the current data upon retrieval. Moreover, output containers can be added to the shopping cart, allowing many products to be created at once in one table.

It works the same way with a PDF for a product sheet or several product sheets. Everything can be collected in the data cart or downloaded as individual product sheets directly per product. Here, too, the data is generated from the current stock upon retrieval.

PowerPoint or Custom Output Format – What Would You Like?

All data can also be generated as a PowerPoint file. This file is multi-page and contains all the data of the product or products. Here, they remain fully editable and can thus be used as a presentation. Many application cases are conceivable: complete sales folders that the sales team can then use as a product presentation.

And there’s even more: The aforementioned three formats are included as standard. But all other text or code-based formats are also possible. HTML, XML, JSON – tell us what you need or what your customers require.

Automations in the PIM come in many forms. From automated data transfer via the API interface, to text generation based on structured data, and to various output formats of the desired product data. But they all have one thing in common at their core: They make our handling easier and ensure efficient work with dynamicPIM®. But see for yourself and feel free to contact us.