The multiplication of sales channels and the growing digitalization are forcing companies to centralize the management of product information efficiently. A PIM (Product Information Management) system allows the centralization, organization, and enrichment of all product-related data (descriptions, images, prices, specifications, translations…) on a single platform. This centralization reduces silos, minimizes errors, and ensures a consistent product experience across all channels (e-commerce, marketplaces, mobile, print…).

For companies with complex catalogs or an international presence, PIM is no longer a luxury but a necessity: it improves operational efficiency, enhances data quality, and accelerates product launches in new markets.

This article, aimed at decision-makers in medium and large Swiss and international companies, first outlines the key criteria for selecting a PIM suited to business challenges (omnichannel, catalog size, data governance, existing digital ecosystem). It then presents six particularly popular PIM solutions in Switzerland and Europe (Akeneo, Pimcore, Salsify, Contentserv, Stibo Systems, and inRiver), highlighting their strengths and limitations, as well as the potential interest of a custom solution. Finally, it provides best practices for integrating PIM into the Information System (ERP, e-commerce, CRM, DAM, API, security, performance).

How to Choose the Right PIM Solution Based on Your Needs and Ecosystem

To be effective, a PIM must align with your business goals (improving conversion rates, reducing operational costs, shortening time-to-market), your commercial scope (B2B/B2C, channels to cover), and the nature of your catalog (number of products, variants, data richness, multilingual requirements).

Centralized management via PIM eliminates information silos and standardizes product sheets. It is therefore crucial to clearly define your omnichannel strategy and measurable objectives (e.g., error reduction, faster product exports, multilingual compliance, etc.) before making any technology choices.

Key criteria also include integration with your existing IT system (ERP, e-commerce, CRM, DAM, supply chain management) and technical architecture: opt for an API-first solution, capable of natively interfacing (via API or connectors) with your systems (SAP, Salesforce, Magento, etc.).

Make sure the PIM also offers governance workflows (multi-role validation, history, quality control) and robust multichannel export capabilities (an API that enables catalog distribution to the web, marketplaces, print…).

Finally, anticipate the total cost (licenses vs. development), flexibility (public cloud, on-premise, or hybrid), and the vendor’s roadmap (versions, support).

In summary, base your decision on the following points:

• Objectives and Metrics: Align the PIM with your business needs (time-to-market, ROI, customer experience) and address current dysfunctions (data silos, duplicates, product errors).
• Catalog Volume and Complexity: Catalog size, number of languages, product configuration, required enrichment.
• Integration with IT Systems: The PIM’s ability to connect to the ERP, e-commerce platform, DAM, or CRM. Well-documented and multi-compatible robust APIs are essential to ensure product information consistency across all channels.
• Data Governance: Validation workflows, rights and roles management, quality monitoring, GDPR compliance, etc.
• Budget and Economic Model: Licenses (SaaS cloud) vs. custom (open source + development), deployment cost vs. recurring savings (see our article on CAPEX vs. OPEX for more information on this topic).
• Performance & Security: Scalable architecture (cluster, cache, specialized search engine, possibility to develop custom modules) and strong access controls (encryption, traceability, two-factor authentication).

By cross-referencing these criteria, you will be able to compare the leading solutions on the market, each offering a mix of functionalities. For example, Akeneo and Pimcore are highly flexible open-source PIM solutions; Salsify is a SaaS PIM focused on “product experience”; Contentserv is a marketing-focused PIM/DAM; Stibo Systems targets very large enterprises with an MDM+PIM approach; and inRiver offers a cloud-based, multichannel platform focused on sales/marketing.

Each has its strengths and limitations, which we will compare for you below.

Comparison of PIM solutions available on the market

Akeneo – Open Source PIM for E-commerce and Mid-Market

Akeneo is an open-source PIM solution (free Community Edition and paid Enterprise version) renowned for its user-friendliness and modularity. It helps e-commerce businesses overcome product data challenges and deliver a consistent omnichannel experience. Akeneo centralizes product catalogs (multilingual), offers a customizable data model, and provides simple enrichment workflows. Its open-source flexibility allows for screen and business model (attributes, families) adaptations without high licensing costs. In addition, a strong community and numerous plugins facilitate integrations and extensions.

Strengths: easy to use, clear interface (completeness management), multilingual, extension library (e-commerce, ERP, DAM). Its PHP/Symfony architecture integrates well with common tech stacks.

Limitations: the Community version lacks integrated DAM and advanced MDM features. For complex needs (very large catalogs, data quality control, or advanced approval workflows), companies often need to opt for the costly Enterprise version or custom development. The granular permissions management is also less mature than in some enterprise-grade solutions. Akeneo is ideal for retailers and brands looking to quickly enrich product data across standard sales channels, offering a good cost-to-feature ratio.

Pimcore – All-in-One Open Source PIM/MDM/DAM Platform

Pimcore is a German open-source, “all-in-one” platform combining PIM, DAM, CMS, and MDM in a single solution. Designed for large organizations with extensive needs, Pimcore is an enterprise-grade open-source software capable of managing any type of digital data across any channel. This approach eliminates the need for multiple tools: marketing data (product sheets) and technical data (specs, hierarchy) are stored together, media (images, videos) are housed in an integrated repository, and web content is managed through the attached CMS.

Strengths: extremely customizable and scalable. Pimcore offers tailored workflows, a very flexible data model, and can scale with the business volume. Its API-first architecture supports headless deployment, and its open codebase (PHP/Symfony) allows for any adaptation. Ideal for complex IT systems (e.g., deep integration with ERP or CRM) and for those who want to centralize as much data as possible within a single stack. Another advantage: no license fees or vendor lock-in, and limitless potential for growth with your company, thereby reducing technical debt and total cost of ownership.

Limitations: more complex to deploy than a turnkey SaaS solution. It often requires technical support (developers or integrators) for installation, configuration, and custom development. The initial deployment may take longer. In summary, Pimcore offers maximum freedom and functionality for high volumes, at the cost of an implementation that typically requires professional intervention.

Salsify – Cloud PXM for Multichannel Product Experience

Salsify is an American SaaS platform that combines PIM and DAM within a Product Experience Management (PXM) approach. It is particularly aimed at brands and distributors looking to feed numerous retail channels (large retailers, marketplaces, etc.). Salsify combines product information and media management to create engaging product experiences across all sales points. Its interface is highly polished and intuitive, designed so that marketing and e-commerce teams can quickly enrich and distribute product sheets without heavy training.

Strengths: all-in-one cloud solution, PIM leader in commerce according to IDC. Strong syndication capabilities (automatic publishing to Amazon, Google, e-commerce sites…), integrated analytics and quality control. Fast deployment with no infrastructure to manage, automatic updates, and commercial support.

Limitations: fully proprietary and SaaS-based model (no open-source edition or on-premise hosting). Expensive licenses and recurring charges per user. This rich toolbox can sometimes be too rigid for highly specific business needs: the standard workflows and connectors cover most retail use cases, but very particular needs may require additional work. Salsify is well-suited to B2C/retail environments requiring rapid deployment and integrated management of omnichannel content, provided the subscription costs are properly budgeted.

Contentserv – PIM/DAM Focused on Marketing and Collaboration

Contentserv is a European provider whose PIM/DAM platform supports marketing teams in end-to-end product data management. Contentserv is a well-regarded solution that helps businesses manage product data, media, and multilingual content from start to finish. It combines a PIM with a robust DAM and emphasizes collaboration: for example, the supplier/retail portal and collaborative workflows make it easier for multiple contributors to feed the catalog.

Strengths: designed for marketing teams and omnichannel distribution. Automatic classification tools, advanced translation management (language geolocations), and complex product configuration (price/variant matrices). Management dashboards, native integration with marketing systems (campaign management, CRM). In short, Contentserv simplifies the creation of rich, localized, and consistent product content across all communication channels.

Limitations: heavy proprietary solution – deployment and maintenance are costly. Its architecture can be complex, requiring a learning curve. ROI is often realized through enhanced data quality and marketing productivity, but TCO includes licenses and often custom integrations. Contentserv is well-suited to large Swiss and European companies looking for a robust PIM+DAM solution with a strong marketing focus and unafraid of vendor lock-in.

Stibo Systems STEP – MDM/PIM for Large International Groups

Stibo Systems (STEP) is a solution widely used by large companies for global product data management. It combines Master Data Management (MDM) and PIM: rather than managing only marketing data, it also handles logistical data (supplier references, inventory, prices). STEP emphasizes data quality and governance throughout the product data repository. It is a cloud/enterprise solution designed for multi-entity and multi-channel environments with high data volumes (retail, industry).

Strengths: excellent MDM maturity, multi-vector management (multiple channels and multiple source references), high scalability. Advanced quality controls and MDM workflows ensure data reliability across the process. Numerous connectors (ERP, e-commerce, etc.) facilitate integration into a complex IT system.

Limitations: long and heavy implementation. STEP is an expensive solution (licenses and services) mainly reserved for very large companies. Its extensive functionality may be excessive for more modest needs. It is mainly justified for very large catalogs and structured organizations (for example, wholesale or industrial sectors). For mid-market Swiss companies, its robustness may be oversized.

inRiver – “Agile” SaaS PIM Focused on Multichannel Marketing

inRiver is a Swedish SaaS PIM platform, highly focused on marketing and commercial use cases. It stands out for its flexibility and large-scale orientation: inRiver is designed to support companies up to a large scale and efficiently manage multichannel product content distribution. Its interface is modern and simple, with features such as product storytelling (creating content packs) and rapid enrichment to meet marketing team needs.

Strengths: easily adaptable cloud solution with a highly configurable data model (flexible data models, APIs). It facilitates product catalog management (marketing plans, promotions, local versions). Its strength lies in its ability to quickly adapt to new channels or formats (mobile, IoT, etc.).

Limitations: like Salsify, inRiver is purely SaaS, with a pricing model based on catalog percentage or per-user licenses. Independence from the vendor is therefore limited. For very specific needs, it is necessary to check the availability of connectors or resort to additional development. inRiver is well-suited for companies with strong omnichannel ambitions (distribution, cosmetics, fashion, etc.) looking to accelerate their product time-to-market.

Custom PIM: A Flexible, Scalable, and Independent Alternative

Beyond packaged solutions, some companies consider a fully custom-built PIM or a semi-custom solution (based on an open-source tool or framework such as Pimcore). This choice offers several advantages. First, with open source, you have access to the source code: the platform can be customized as needed to match your business processes (data attribution, management rules, interface). Recent studies highlight that “the main motivations for adopting open-source software are advanced customization and technological independence,” something we increasingly observe with our clients who wish to move away from heavy, restrictive solutions imposed in the past.

With open source and custom development, the company faces none of the limitations of a standard product: workflows and data remain 100% controlled internally, and the potential for evolution is infinite to align the solution with your growth and roadmap changes.

Here are the main reasons why companies choose to develop their own custom PIM:

• Maximum flexibility: a custom PIM precisely adapts to internal needs (workflows, data formats, specific reporting). It can also grow without the obligation of moving to a paid upgrade.
• Scalability: since the code is open, it’s possible to evolve the solution (architecture, performance, new interfaces) at the pace of the business. For example, Pimcore (open source) is often used as a base for a scalable business-specific PIM.
• Independence from vendors: by adopting this custom or hybrid approach, you avoid vendor lock-in. Instead of paying for licenses and having to renew your IT system with every product update, you invest in internal development. You also free yourself from the arbitrary decisions of proprietary software vendors who add or remove features at their discretion and on their own schedule.
• Long-term ROI: no recurring license fees for users. The initial cost (development, hosting) is often offset by the absence of fees and the complete alignment with business value (no extra costs for unused features).

Of course, the downside is CAPEX: time must be budgeted for development and internal maintenance or for hiring a specialized integrator/engineer. The project then takes the form of an IT R&D initiative. It requires solid project governance (agile method, incremental evolutions) and technical skills. However, for companies seeking flexibility and wishing to exploit their entire data chain without compromise, open-source custom development remains a highly attractive option. In addition to integrating existing solutions, Edana offers this type of support.

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Best Practices for Efficiently Integrating Your PIM into Your Existing IT System

Once the PIM is chosen, its integration into the digital ecosystem must follow several principles. First, prioritize an API-first or headless architecture: the PIM must be able to communicate with each business system via standardized RESTful APIs (microservices). This approach facilitates maintenance and scalability (for example, a middleware can orchestrate exchanges with the ERP, e-commerce site, and DAM).

Here is an overview of the different types of connections made to integrate a PIM into its digital ecosystem:

Connection to ERP/CRM: synchronize references, inventory, prices, and technical attributes between the ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and the PIM. Available connectors or an integration bus (ESB/iPaaS) can automate these exchanges to avoid manual entries. A custom-built interface is also an option.

E-commerce, e-service, and marketplaces: plan for the automatic export of catalogs to your e-commerce platform (Magento, Shopify, Salesforce Commerce Cloud…) and your marketplaces (Amazon, Galaxus…). A mature PIM will offer ready-to-use adapters or APIs to quickly feed each channel. Note that multichannel distribution requires robust APIs to ensure the consistency of product information across all touchpoints.

Digital Asset Management (DAM): integrate your images, videos, and documents into the PIM or synchronize it with an existing DAM system. Ideally, there should be a central repository for media so that they automatically remain linked to product sheets.

Performance & Security: scale the PIM to its usage (clusters, cache, indexed search engine such as Elasticsearch) to handle the load (server queries, media volume). Implement security measures (strong authentication, encryption of sensitive data, logging). Also, manage access rights finely (who can edit or approve sheets).

Finally, plan the integration in stages: start by connecting one or two channels to validate the architecture (performance and security tests), then expand to others.

Plan to train users (product owners, marketing teams) on the new data processes and document field mappings (to avoid any information loss during synchronizations). The objective is to use the PIM as the single source of truth.

Get Support from Edana

As we have seen, the selection and integration of a PIM must be guided by business needs and the company’s strategy.

Edana’s approach focuses on open platforms (Pimcore, Akeneo…) and/or custom development to ensure scalability, security, and the absence of lock-in. By relying on hybrid architectures (a combination of cloud and on-premise, depending on the needs), we ensure seamless integration into the IT system while protecting sensitive data.

Open source notably allows for infinite PIM customization and ensures technological independence. Our agile methodology and technical expertise (PIM, DAM, API, security) maximize ROI: we deliver a tool perfectly aligned with your business model, with no hidden costs.

If you would like to explore a PIM project suited to your Swiss or international context, our experts are here to assist you. Let’s discuss your product information management challenges and your omnichannel ambitions.

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