{"id":533,"date":"2017-01-30T14:59:31","date_gmt":"2017-01-30T14:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/?p=533"},"modified":"2025-06-19T09:23:36","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T15:23:36","slug":"5-obstacles-hindering-product-information-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/5-obstacles-hindering-product-information-management\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unlikely Obstacles Hindering Fluid Product Information Management in Industrial Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Obstacles Hindering Product Information Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>What is industrial information management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? In the fast-paced world of industrial manufacturing, efficient <\/span><b>industrial information management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is crucial. It ensures that your suppliers, distributors, partners, and customers receive accurate and up-to-date product data, ultimately leading to a seamless operational workflow. However, five unexpected<\/span><b> pitfalls of product information management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in this industry can hinder the smooth and efficient functioning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-14838 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-62-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-62-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-62-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-62-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-62-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-62.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Weak\u00a0Channel Support<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Efficient <\/span><b>product information management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in industrial manufacturing relies on effectively reaching various channels. When your PIM system focuses on only a few primary channels and leaves the rest to be handled manually, it can disrupt your entire workflow. This reactive approach often results in content inconsistency. Variations in image sizes, writing styles, and product options can jeopardize your brand messaging and potentially lead to lost sales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tip 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When evaluating a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/pim-distributors\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIM system for e-commerce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in industrial manufacturing, ensure it supports various channels. During the demo, inquire about compatibility with different marketplaces and channels. Ask about the system\u2019s flexibility for exporting data to meet specific channel requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-14839 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-63-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-63-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-63-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-63-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-63-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-63.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Unorganized Spreadsheets<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Relying solely on spreadsheets for <\/span><b>product information management and manufacturing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is common in industrial manufacturing. However, this manual approach can introduce many problems, especially when dealing with complex data sets. Multiple versions of spreadsheets can lead to errors in product descriptions and pricing. Moreover, the constant need for manual updates consumes valuable employee time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tip 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While spreadsheets are essential in industrial manufacturing, maintaining an organized structure is key. Establish consistent categories within spreadsheets and utilize scripts to eliminate formatting issues such as extra spacing and inconsistent capitalization.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Unorganized or Lack of Access<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigenius-x.com\/decentralized-data-management\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decentralized product data management <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can lead to critical information being stuck in individual inboxes, particularly when employees are on vacation or unavailable. Relying on a single team lead for access to crucial data can result in workflow disruptions during their absence. Technical issues like hard drive crashes can further exacerbate the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Tip 3:<\/strong> A robust<\/span><b> product information management system<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with role-based access and security features is essential in industrial manufacturing. Systems with historical tracking capabilities allow you to monitor changes and identify responsible parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-14840 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-64-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-64-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-64-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-64-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-64-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-64.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Too Much Content<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Industrial manufacturing organizations often accumulate vast content, especially when lacking a structured PIM solution. Teams and employees may work with their copies of product data, leading to increased effort when consolidating information. Valuable<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/what-are-digital-assets\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> digital assets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can also be lost in forgotten network drives or personal thumb drives.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tip 4:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Addressing content overload requires a structured approach. Utilize spreadsheets to maintain data organization by establishing consistent categories. Implement scripts to clean up data by removing extra spacing and standardizing formatting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-14841 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-65-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-65-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-65-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-65-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-65-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Catsy-Post-Template-65.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. File Names<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inconsistent file naming conventions can create chaos in industrial <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/product-information-management-system\"><b>product information management<\/b><\/a><b> for manufacturing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When everyone adopts their unique naming structure, efficient search tools become ineffective. Instead, employees are forced to manually sift through lists, hoping to find the right product information in the correct folder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Tip 5:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Implementing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/guides.lib.purdue.edu\/c.php?g=353013&amp;p=2378293#:~:text=A%20File%20Naming%20Convention%20(FNC,and%20commonalities%20between%20your%20files.\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">standardized file naming conventions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is crucial in the industrial manufacturing sector. This ensures easy accessibility and retrieval of product information. Establish clear guidelines and encourage adherence to these conventions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Removing Concealed Issues in the Process of Industrial Product Information Management<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In industrial manufacturing, companies closely monitor operations to identify and eliminate inefficiencies. However, some factors quietly get in the way of effective product information management (PIM) that many do not notice. Addressing such blind spots is essential in creating a smooth process that supports better choices, promotes the company, and enhances customer satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Not realizing what PIM offers.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many teams do not see the complete <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/product-information-management-system\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">product information management tools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> available. Enterprises without knowledge about <\/span><b>product information management best practices<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> won\u2019t choose the correct tool or gain full benefits from using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/pim-erp-integration\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">enterprise PIM<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> solutions. Through a demo, decision-makers can observe how platforms can improve how and what gets managed and the accuracy of the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Data Does Not Match Between Different Channels in the Company<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A significant issue for manufacturers is that data is not unified between their sales and distribution channels when using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/shopify-dam-pim-software\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIM e-commerce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> platforms. When data is inconsistent, the company\u2019s staff and customers can get confused. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/for-brands\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PIM for Brands<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ensures that the data used across different system points is the same, which is very important for avoiding errors in data management.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Processes the Company Uses are not Current.<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with the best software, old ways of working can still cause problems. Many manufacturing businesses still depend on spreadsheets or separate databases. As a result, they cannot use the suggested practices in the <\/span><b>product information management demo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Modern systems are designed for easy automation, teamwork, and increasing size, which is especially required in manufacturing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ignoring Strategies that Focus on Customers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handling internal data is only one aspect; the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best PIM software<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> helps make customers happy. Based on in-depth research and managing product details, businesses adjust their strategies to suit users\u2019 wants. Increased details about products result in a positive customer experience, resulting in better customer retention over the long term.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Catsy\u2019s <\/span><b>product information management capabilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> offer a flexible solution tailored to the needs of industrial manufacturing brands. It empowers you to efficiently store and manage product specifications, images, and other vital data. With Catsy, you can effortlessly publish your product information to various marketplaces, populate your eCommerce website, and create marketing collateral. Moreover, Catsy can seamlessly integrate with your digital catalogs and online product listings through a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/essential-role-of-robust-content\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">robust API.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We invite you to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/request-demo\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">schedule a demo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to discover how Catsy PIM can revolutionize your product management and eliminate obstacles hindering <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/research-and-product-information-management\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research and product information management<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the industrial manufacturing sector. Experience the flexibility and efficiency that Catsy can bring to your operations, allowing you to scale your business and deliver consistent product information to your stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcommerce.com\/blog\/product-information-management-best-practices\/\">Best Practices for Product Information Management &#8211; Bigcommerce<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Obstacles Hindering Product Information Management What is industrial information management? In the fast-paced world of industrial manufacturing, efficient industrial information management is crucial. It ensures that your suppliers, distributors, partners, and customers receive accurate and up-to-date product data, ultimately leading to a seamless operational workflow. However, five unexpected pitfalls of product information management in this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[3,4],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23883,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions\/23883"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/catsy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}