PIM and DAM Systems Compared

DAM vs. PIM

Organizing your company's data is essential for success, but if you have a lot of it, this can also be a challenge. Product information management (PIM) and digital asset management (DAM) platforms can streamline this process, but they work in different ways with different types of data. So, which one do you need? Or do you need both? Before comparing PIM software with a DAM platform, you need to understand each option.

What Is a Digital Asset Management (DAM) Platform?

A DAM platform acts as a centralized hub for storing, organizing, finding, and sharing your company's digital assets, making it easier and faster for users to find what they need. This can help improve productivity, encourage collaboration, and ensure brand consistency.


The types of digital assets managed in a DAM platform can include:
•    Images
•    Videos
•    Audio files
•    Logos
•    Social media graphics

What Is a Product Information Management (PIM) Platform?

A PIM platform helps companies organize and distribute their product data. A PIM platform can help a business improve the accuracy of its product information across all channels and get products to market faster.
The types of information managed by PIM platforms can include:


•    UPC and SKU numbers
•    Product ingredients/materials
•    Product descriptions
•    Shipping requirements
•    Product specifications such as size and weight

How Are DAM and PIM Platforms Similar?

When you compare PIM software with a DAM platform, you'll quickly notice that they're both used as central repositories for data that a company needs to market its products. They both make it possible to share this information across different channels and include metadata features to help improve searchability. And the overall goal of both DAM and PIM platforms is similar: Both are designed to helps a company streamline its marketing processes and boost productivity.

How are DAM and PIM Different?

When you compare DAM and PIM platforms, the most obvious difference is in the type of data they manage. PIM deals with product information such as SKUs and product descriptions. DAM, however, has to do with brand assets like images, videos, and other marketing materials. You might also notice a more subtle difference when comparing PIM and DAM systems: A DAM platform is built for finding, updating, and sharing data, while a PIM platform is geared toward storing and optimizing data.

Why Use a DAM Platform?

The tools and features found in DAM platforms are helpful if your company:
•    Has a large number of digital assets
•    Consistently shares assets between departments
•    Lacks a single, well-organized repository for digital assets
•    Distributes assets across multiple channels
•    Use internal and external employees for content development

Why Use a PIM Platform?

The tools and features found in PIM platforms are helpful if your company:
•    Has a large assortment of products and SKUs
•    Uses a product catalog that needs to be updated regularly
•    Sells products on multiple platforms
•    Gets product information from different sources

Using DAM and PIM Together

When many companies compare DAM and PIM platforms, they find that they actually need both. Unfortunately, using separate DAM and PIM platforms can have drawbacks, like:
•    Increased cost due to paying for two systems
•    Wasted time switching back and forth between platforms
•    Inconsistent data between the systems
•    Increased likelihood of errors
•    Complicated learning processes due to separate interfaces


That's why Image Relay has created Marketing Delivery. Our all-in-one platform combines DAM and PIM to create a seamless platform for managing all of your digital assets and product information. Marketing Delivery includes a wide range of useful DAM and PIM features, such as an Asset Library for storing digital assets, a Products Hub for organizing product information, and integrations with a wide range of other software to streamline your workflow. All of our tools and features come together to create a single source of truth for better brand consistency and more efficient marketing. Book a demo now to find out everything Marketing Delivery has to offer.

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Marketing Delivery digital asset management software is purpose-built to streamline workflow and assure brand consistency from a secure, all-in-one platform. Explore PIM and DAM system plans or schedule a demo to see it for yourself. 

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