Open-source PIM and proprietary software: myths and realities
Many companies understand the benefits of PIM for improving and optimising the management of their product information for marketplaces such as e-commerce sites, as well as for physical distribution networks. However, there are still some preconceived ideas about proprietary SaaS PIM and Open Source PIM, due to a lack of understanding of the issues involved in managing and exploiting all the data circulating within the company and elsewhere.
Let's take a look at these different visions of the PIM:
The Do It Yourself trap
While Open Source PIM tools are initially attractive because of their access to source code, not all companies have the resources to 'develop' their own PIM in-house or to develop around an open source core.
And for the lucky ones, i.e. those best equipped in terms of technical skills, IT Departments will tell you: bespoke PIM takes time, and therefore costs money.
What's more, when the solution introduces new versions (which is often the case), upgrades become difficult, if not impossible, because of the parallel developments carried out by the company, and sometimes even the installed extensions are no longer compatible.
New and additional investments, both human and financial, then make the bill soar.
Prejudice: open source PIM is free
Open source PIM at very low cost or as a free version is always limited. You have to subscribe to higher levels of pay-as-you-go packages to access more comprehensive, higher-performance solutions, and often even acquire external pay-as-you-go modules with their own maintenance and update business model.
Support, integration costs, updates, interoperability and flexibility of the solution are all factors to consider when assessing the cost and investment of a PIM solution, whether open source or not.
In the end, to keep all your feathers, there's nothing like subscribing to an 'All Inclusive' package, with which you can take off without any nasty surprises (such as having to refuel during the flight at the 'high altitude' rate): the final budget turns out to be much lower.
The ideal solution, and the wisest software publishers have understood this, is to be able to try out the PIM solution and all its functions free of charge for a sufficiently long period to get an idea.
Reality: the DAM tool essential to PIM is too often absent
The long-term benefits of DAM
Integrating a DAM tool into a PIM platform offers a host of benefits:
- You keep control of your digital assets,
- You can manage user access rights for each medium,
- the work of your teams is made easier by the modelling of business workflow processes,
- each employee organises their tree structure according to their business needs.
In a context where control of your media data and distribution is a real development challenge, the Afineo platform combines assets that translate into long-term competitive advantages.
Putting an end to beliefs
In many cases, the OPen Source PIM remains a loss leader: the list of paying options grows longer, like a car where you have to pay extra for air conditioning, zero mileage assistance, electric windows, or even windows altogether.
Compare and estimate your costs: are hosting, maintenance, data security, support, deployment and functionalities included in the package or extra?
In comparison, the Afineo platform offers a more comprehensive package at a lower price. It includes a wealth of superior features, such as a truly integrated DAM and stress-free deployment.
Afineo does not disassociate these elements of relaxation, like so many others, in its commercial proposal:
- the company is not kidding around with quality (some of your bends to negotiate are tight),
- or performance (in the race, you want to stay in the lead).
Article translated from French