Key Takeaways
- Product data mistakes often lead to delays, errors, and poor customer experiences in manufacturing.
- Common data mistakes include missing specs, format mismatches, and inconsistent entries across teams.
- A PIM designed for manufacturers helps centralize, clean, and manage product data more efficiently.
Poor product data quality costs companies an average of $12.9 million to $15 million per year, with as much as 20–27% of employee time wasted fixing errors.
Implementing a PIM for manufacturers helps you regain control, cutting errors, improving data consistency, and reducing management time.
Product Data Management for Manufacturers
Manufacturers deal with countless product specs, updates, and files every single day. But without proper product data management, things slip through the cracks.
From incorrect details sent to retailers to internal delays, these small data issues turn into big business problems.
Let’s explore the most common product data mistakes manufacturers make, and how a PIM for manufacturing helps you fix them for good.
Why Product Data Management for Manufacturers Matters
Product data isn’t just a bunch of SKUs in a spreadsheet. It’s the core of your manufacturing business.
Whether you’re selling through distributors, online stores, or retail partners, your product information needs to be complete, consistent, and always up to date.
When product data is mismanaged, you risk:
- Wrong information being shown to buyers
- Internal teams working with outdated files
- Delays in launching new products
- Frustrated customers returning items due to incorrect specs
These issues often happen because of data mistakes in manufacturing, and fixing them starts with identifying where things are going wrong.
10 Product Data Mistakes Manufacturers Make
Let’s break down the most common mistakes manufacturers make with data, and how using a PIM for manufacturers can fix them.
- Inconsistent Product Descriptions
- Outdated Product Information
- Product Data Scattered Across Teams and Tools
- Incomplete or Missing Product Attributes
- Non-Standardized Data Formats
- Poor Product Categorization
- Manual Data Entry Errors
- Inconsistent Branding and Messaging
- No Integration with E-commerce or Partner Platforms
- Weak Product Content and Enrichment
1. Inconsistent Product Descriptions
The Mistake:
When different teams create product descriptions for various platforms (website, catalogs, distributor portals), inconsistencies start.
Some descriptions may highlight technical features, while others focus on benefits. The same product might be written in three different ways.
The Impact:
- Confuses buyers
- Reduces trust in product quality
- Leads to errors in order fulfillment
- Weakens brand presence across platforms
The PIM Fix:
Apimio PIM helps manufacturers create and manage uniform product descriptions across all sales channels.
You can store, edit, and update descriptions in one place, and sync them to every connected platform automatically.
PIM also supports multilingual descriptions, so you can ensure consistency even when selling internationally.
Ensure Accurate Product Data with Apimio
Keep your product data accurate and up-to-date product across all channels with Apimio PIM.
2. Outdated Product Information
The Mistake:
Product details like price, availability, certifications, or technical specs change regularly. When updates aren’t made across all systems, you end up with old data floating around.
The Impact:
- Products sold at wrong prices
- Customers order items no longer in stock
- Delays due to missing compliance updates
- Increased return and cancellation rates
The PIM Fix:
Apimio integrates with your ERP, inventory systems, and e-commerce platforms to keep all product information updated in real time.
You make changes once, and they reflect everywhere, helping you avoid miscommunication with customers and distributors.
3. Product Data Scattered Across Teams and Tools
The Mistake:
Manufacturers often store product data in multiple systems, spreadsheets, local drives, ERP, email threads, or shared folders. There’s no single place to manage it all.
The Impact:
- Teams working with outdated or incorrect versions
- Time wasted hunting for files
- Lack of accountability for data changes
- Hard to onboard new employees or partners
The PIM Fix:
Apimio PIM centralizes all your product data in one secure system. You assign roles, track changes, and make sure that everyone works from the same source of truth, whether it’s the sales team, marketing, or engineering.
4. Incomplete or Missing Product Attributes
The Mistake:
Missing data like dimensions, weight, material type, packaging details, or usage instructions reduces product visibility and customer confidence.
The Impact:
- Online marketplaces may reject listings
- Distributors struggle with logistics
- Customers hesitate to purchase
- You miss out on SEO visibility
The PIM Fix:
Apimio lets you define mandatory attributes and alerts you when key fields are left blank.
You can also set up custom attribute sets for different product types to make sure nothing essential is missing.
5. Non-Standardized Data Formats
The Mistake:
Inconsistent use of formats (e.g. cm vs inches, mm vs m), different naming conventions, or mixed languages make data hard to work with, especially when importing/exporting to other systems.
The Impact:
- Integration errors
- Misinterpretation during production or shipping
- Duplicate or conflicting data entries
The PIM Fix:
With Apimio, you define standard formats across your product fields.
Whether it’s units of measurement, naming conventions, or data structure, everything stays consistent, helping your systems communicate better and reducing miscommunication across teams.
6. Poor Product Categorization
The Mistake:
When product categories are vague, overlapping, or inconsistent, it becomes difficult for customers or internal teams to find what they’re looking for.
The Impact:
- Lower product discoverability on your site
- Frustrated buyers and sales reps
- Ineffective filtering or navigation
- Increased support tickets
The PIM Fix:
Apimio allows you to build custom category trees, define product hierarchies, and apply metadata or filters that suit your business structure.
You can also tag products by use case, material, size range, or any custom filter that helps users find the right product faster.
Improve Product Visibility with Apimio PIM
Boost sales and customer satisfaction by organizing your products with Apimio.
7. Manual Data Entry Errors
The Mistake:
Still copying and pasting product data into multiple spreadsheets or systems? Human error is bound to happen; a misplaced decimal, wrong code, or duplicate record can cause huge issues downstream.
The Impact:
- Incorrect product listings
- Mismatched orders or pricing
- Inventory errors
- Time-consuming corrections
The PIM Fix:
Apimio PIM supports bulk product imports and exports using templates.
You can also automate updates from suppliers or internal systems using integrations or APIs. This cuts down manual entry and helps your team focus on higher-priority tasks.
8. Inconsistent Branding and Messaging
The Mistake:
When content teams and sales teams use different descriptions, logos, or image styles for the same product, it weakens your brand image and causes confusion.
The Impact:
- Lack of brand consistency across platforms
- Confused or disengaged customers
- Lower brand trust and recognition
The PIM Fix:
Apimio PIM stores all product content, from taglines to usage instructions, in one place.
It also lets you upload approved logos, videos, certificates, and product images, ensuring consistent branding across all platforms.
9. No Integration with E-commerce or Partner Platforms
The Mistake:
When your product data isn’t integrated with your online stores, marketplaces, or distributor portals, every update becomes a manual job.
The Impact:
- Delayed product launches
- Outdated listings
- Extra workload for your team
- Errors in pricing or availability
The PIM Fix:
Apimio offers direct PIM integration with Shopify, and more. You update product data in Apimio, and it reflects instantly on your sales channels.
This reduces delays, improves accuracy, and keeps your listings current at all times.
10. Weak Product Content and Enrichment
The Mistake:
Many manufacturers rely only on basic product specs. But today’s buyers want more; lifestyle images, videos, usage scenarios, downloadable guides, and comparison charts.
The Impact:
- Lower conversion rates
- Poor product visibility in search results
- Buyers moving to competitors with better content
The PIM Fix:
Apimio allows you to upload and manage enriched content like high-resolution images, 360° product views, videos, documents, and more.
You can also optimize content for SEO by managing meta tags, alt texts, and keywords right inside the platform.
How Apimio PIM Supports Manufacturers
Apimio is designed with manufacturers in mind. Whether you’re managing 500 SKUs or 50,000, it helps you clean, organize, and distribute your product information the right way, without needing technical skills or complex systems.
With Apimio PIM, manufacturers get:
- Centralized product data
- Real-time sync with all platforms
- User roles and approval workflows
- Bulk uploads and exports
- Integration with Shopify, e-commerce, and supplier systems
- Customizable attribute sets
Conclusion
Product data mistakes don’t just happen; they build up when there’s no clear system in place. For manufacturers, these errors can delay production, frustrate teams, and damage customer relationships.
Using a PIM made for manufacturing helps you manage product data more accurately, reduce errors, and keep everything consistent across systems and teams.
If you’ve been dealing with scattered files, repeated corrections, or slow updates, it’s time to rethink how you’re handling your product data.
What to Do Next?
- Explore how PIM can elevate your brand’s operations.
- Find out how PIM for retailers can help you increase sales and expand your business.
- Get started with Apimio PIM today and revolutionize your eCommerce strategy!
- Keep up with our blog for the latest updates and industry trends.
- Schedule a demo to see how our PIM software can enhance your business processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the common mistakes in data collection?
Manufacturers often deal with missing attributes, inconsistent formats, duplicate entries, and outdated product specs. These errors usually happen when data is entered manually or stored across different spreadsheets without a central system
2. Can a PIM solution help manuWhat is a PIM in manufacturing?
A PIM (Product Information Management) system for manufacturing helps collect, manage, and distribute product data from one place. It ensures your specs, images, and details stay accurate and consistent across departments and channels.
3. What are the long-term benefits of implementing a PIM solution for manufacturers?
The long-term benefits of implementing a PIM solution include improved data accuracy, enhanced operational efficiency, better customer satisfaction, reduced costs associated with data errors, and a stronger ability to scale the business effectively.
4. How does inconsistent data affect a manufacturing business?
Inconsistent data can lead to errors in product listings, confusion among customers, and inefficiencies in supply chain management. It may also result in lost sales opportunities and damage to the brand’s reputation.
