Creating order with the help of clear assignments in a PIM database

A tidy house, a tidy mind. There is more truth in this old saying than is often assumed. Especially, when it comes to structuring data. A PIM or DAM system can only process and play data out efficiently, if the data is clearly assigned or assignable.
Thanks to clever features, structuring data in a PIM database is very easy. In the following, we present these features from our dynamicPIM® in more detail.

Filter – a classic among structuring data

The filter feature is a classic, which enables you to structure data easily. Filters are extremely powerful due to multi-filtering and can therefore cover various filter scenarios.

In dynamicPIM® there are also filter levels that allow multi-filtering across all products. These are the central search elements  and structure labels in a PIM database.

Multi-filtering and up to 5 levels

Our systems structure by tags, not by folders. This is a much more modern and useful way to do it, as it allows any form of cross-linking. And that is what you need very often.
Up to 5 such levels are possible, and each user can save his sets individually. Anything else would make the application considerably more complex – and that would violate our usability principle.

It takes time to establish a meaningful structure

Structuring data in a DAM or PIM database requires time and resources that you need to provide. It is the most important step when setting up a system that works with clear and easy to understand processes due to its structured filing. As a result, you find relevant data much more easier.

 Tagging – The easy way to find information

Free and predefined tags allow a further level of classification in data structuring. There are different forms of tags: Free tags are typical labels that can be freely defined by each user. They are stored in the system and also suggested to other users. Default tags are set centrally by the system. They cannot be defined freely by users and usually follow a fixed media structure filing concept.

Structuring a PIM database using types

In addition to filters and taggings, dynamicPIM® and dynamicDAM® also include types. With these types we map unambiguous classifications. They act as the “washing baskets” of our file structure or are comparable with different types of coffee. Based on the concept “There can only be one”, they are clearly defined. That means that a product cannot be assigned to more than one type. This requires a clear structural concept right from the start. It pays off enormously if you have considered this conceptually right from the start.

Clearly important – there can only be one

“What kind of guy / type is this?” That’s what we often say in German and that explains exactly what we want to express. It’s just a type and he can’t be anything else. It is not possible to have two types.

Structuring data in a PIM system is made easy due to filters, tags and types. These three tools work together perfectly. Therefore, you have to assign them a clear function. And this is essential for the structure of the product content. Tags or taggings are the most important parameters, along with filters and types.

All three structure and categorization tools can be assigned to a specific task. They have to receive this task system-wide. Only the types are clearly assigned.

Structuring data in a PIM database – an illustrative example:

Multi-Select-Filter

  • Used to structure brand (1), segment (2), category (3), product (4), the filter (5) remains unused for the time being

Types

  • Classification of the general product type: single product, tray, pallet, display etc

Default Tags

  • Top-seller, long-tail, discontinued model etc.

Free Tags

  • Initially unoccupied and deactivated

This is a possible way of giving the respective tools a clear task and clear criteria. It also means that it is always obvious for all filters and later exports, searches and classifications what they are used for and how they can be used.

Important: Do not allow mixed forms of the features. Systemically, it must be absolutely clear what they may be used for and, conversely, much more importantly, what they cannot be used for.

Flexibility of a professional system due to customized fields

Each application has its own specifications. Every situation is different and yet there are many things in common. In order to meet these requirements, a system of this kind must be highly flexible. It is not enough to work with template or master structures. Flexibility beyond the master data must be absolutely guaranteed in a PIM database. Customized fields allow this flexibility. Our system can be extended without limit with your customized fields and offers several field types to choose from.

Customized fields in use

Since we can integrate dynamicDAM® into dynamicPIM®, customized fields are also possible in the media data management. They are obligatory in the PIM system because all master data fields are based on them. With this feature, data can be structured as flexibly as possible.

The principle here extends to the selection of the field type, an assignment to a tab in the system and – if necessary – a refined authorization for each individual field. In this way, we fulfill every application scenario that you can imagine. From a highly complex structure to a fast and simple basic system.

Structuring data in DAM or PIM database is a conceptual challenge. As soon as this mental work is mastered, data can be provided with filters, tags or types. This allows you to find your requested data faster within the system, which in turn leads to an efficient workflow.
Sounds simple? It is. And we will be happy to show you how this proves itself in practice during a personal consultation.