6 Steps for Integrating Digital Asset Management and Product Information Management Systems

What are the steps for integrating digital asset management (DAM) and product information management (PIM) solutions? In a world filled with digital assets and the product information that supports them, how can organizations streamline the integration of these two solutions?

According to Forrester, “Product information management (PIM) users can turn to digital asset management (DAM) to win the digital shelf, and DAM users can accelerate the shift to omnichannel with PIM.”

Integrating any technology solution involves a series of steps and processes. Where should you focus?Six steps can help integrate your DAM and PIM solutions to deliver significant advantages by centralizing and synchronizing essential data. As a result, this will improve operational efficiencies, seamless collaboration across teams, and build more efficient processes for content creation and distribution.

Step 1: Identify the Product Identifier

The first step in integrating a DAM and a PIM solution is to determine the product identifier to use between systems. Whether it’s SKU, UPC, GTIN, or another identifier, ensure each asset in the DAM is associated with the appropriate products. Consider the possibility of assigning assets to multiple products for comprehensive coverage.

Step 2: Define Asset Metadata for PIM

Identify the asset metadata to push to the PIM system. Instead of relying solely on asset names, focus on standardized definitions. Reference specifications such as GS1 can provide valuable codes to map the assets accurately, defining product image types. Include any relevant materials such as technical documentation, videos, DIY guides, and images. Consider additional information like expiration dates for assets with time-sensitive rights or product life concerns.

Step 3: Determine Assets for PIM Integration

Select assets to push to the PIM system. This typically involves images with associated product identifiers and image types. Ensure that assets are approved before delivery to the PIM system. Meeting brand guidelines, channel-specific criteria, and using the most accurate product information is essential to the entire process.

It’s important to stay flexible to accommodate evolving asset requirements and needs. This might include 360-degree spin sets or VR/AR content, as requested by users. Optimizing and personalizing the buying experience can make all the difference.

Step 4: Optimize Product Information in DAM

Identify the necessary product information to include in the DAM for each asset, and optimize it. This practice improves searchability and ensures metadata consistency across assets. Instead of manually filling in basic product information like sizing or weight, focus on descriptive information that aids marketers in content categorization for best results.

Step 5: Establish Sync Interval

Next, determine the sync interval between the DAM and PIM systems. Real-time sync might be ideal, however, it may not be feasible in all cases. Consider a frequent sync interval, such as every five minutes or every hour for DAM to PIM sync. For PIM to DAM sync, a less frequent interval can be suitable, depending on your business needs.

Step 6: Implement Sync Solution and Monitoring

Lastly, implement a sync solution that accommodates the defined integration requirements. Consider whether an initial sync is necessary, either by using the same sync mechanism for a large migration or performing a one-time mass update. Additionally, set up monitoring and error notifications to promptly address any sync failures and ensure data integrity and consistency between the DAM and PIM systems.

Integrating digital asset management and product information management systems offers big benefits for businesses looking to enhance their information management processes. By following these six steps, you can establish a solid foundation for seamless collaboration between DAM and PIM, leading to improved operational efficiency, enriched customer experiences, and streamlined content creation and distribution processes.

The Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) Solution

The fastest and most efficient way to fully integrate a PIM and DAM solution is to use an integration platform as a service solution. OneTeg is a no-code/low-code platform that uses pre-built Connectors to solve the challenges associated with integrating different platforms across the technology ecosystem.

Watch the video to learn more about iPaaS and OneTeg here.