There are many Product Information Management (PIM) vendors there are vying for your business. How can you possibly choose one vendor from the throng? Choosing the wrong one will cost your business time,money and manpower. Follow these tips to find the right PIM vendor for your unique business needs.
Check Out Hot Vendors
If a PIM vendor is hot, there’s usually a good reason for it. Maybe even two or three. Check out third party industry reports such as the annual report by Ventana Research to find out what vendors are in demand and why. Does the vendor invest in ground-breaking research? Do they offer services that most other vendors don’t? Is the software easy to use? Can the vendor send real people to your business or does everything have to be done on the phone or online?
Wants to Know Your Business’ Core Vision
Good PIM vendors will not ignore your business’ core vision. They want to know what your business is all about and how it differs from others in order to best match their services to your specific needs and goals. They will learn about your company before they start trying to sell you any specific software or services.
Does the Vendor Have Experience in Your Industry?
Your particular industry has challenges that set it apart from others. Why then use a PIM vendor that offers the same services to all industries? See if your vendor has experience working in your industry. If this information is not on the vendor’s website, ask for references from satisfied clients in your industry. Good PIM vendors have a partial customer list on their websites for you to check out. They also have customer testimonials.
What Other Services Can They Offer?
A good PIM vendor doesn’t just offer software business tools. They can also offer additional services such as training or converting your paper files into electronic files. Having access to tech support is a must. Sometimes the details about tech support services are not on vendor websites. You must email the vendor and they will be happy to send the details.
