Open-source PIM and proprietary software: myths and realities
Many companies understand the value of PIM in improving and optimizing the management of their product information for marketplaces such as e-commerce sites, as well as for physical distribution networks. However, some preconceived ideas about proprietary SaaS PIM and Open Source PIM persist, due to a lack of understanding of the issues involved in controlling and exploiting all the data circulating within the company, but also elsewhere.
Let's take a look at these different visions of PIM:
The Do It Yourself trap
While open-source PIM tools are initially attractive for 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, CIOs 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, due to parallel developments carried out by the company, and sometimes even installed extensions are no longer compatible.
New, additional investments- both human and financial - then add up to a hefty bill.
Prejudice: open source PIM is free
Open source PIM at very low cost or as a free version is always limited. In fact, you need to subscribe to higher levels of pay-as-you-go packages to access more comprehensive, higher-performance solutions, and often even acquire pay-as-you-go external modules with their own maintenance and update business model.
Support, integration costs, upgrades, interoperability and solution flexibility are all factors to consider when assessing the cost and investment of a PIM solution, whether open source or not.
In the end, there's nothing like subscribing to an "All Inclusive" offer, with which you can take off without any unpleasant surprises (such as having to refuel during the flight at the "high altitude" rate): the final budget turns out to be much lower.
Ideally, and the most astute software publishers understand this, you should be able to try out the PIM solution and all its functions free of charge for a sufficiently long period of time to get an idea.
Reality: the DAM tool essential to PIM too often absent
The long-term benefits of DAM
Integrating a DAM tool into a PIM platform brings a host of benefits:
- you retain control over your digital assets,
- you manage user access rights for each medium,
- the work of your teams is facilitated by the modeling of business workflow processes,
- each employee organizes his or her tree structure according to 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 beliefs to rest
In many cases, the OPen Source PIM remains a loss-leader: the list of paid options grows longer, like a car where you have to pay extra for air conditioning, zero-mileage assistance, electric windows, or even windows at all.
Compare and estimate your costs: are hosting, maintenance, data security, support, deployment and functionalities included in the offer or extra?
In comparison, the Afineo platform offers a more comprehensive package at a lower price. In fact, 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 sales proposal:
- the company doesn't mess around with quality (some of the corners you have to negotiate are tight),
- nor performance (in the race, you want to stay in the lead).
Article translated from French