CASE STUDY
PIM Modernization Assessment for a National Office Products Network
Introduction
A national office products network, supporting multiple buying groups and over 120 independent dealers, relied on a legacy Product Information Management (PIM) platform that had become increasingly difficult to maintain. Over the years, extensive customizations, complex workflows, and evolving business requirements caused the system to grow rigid and costly. With a major upgrade looming—estimated at 18 months and up to $1M—the organization needed clarity on whether to proceed with the upgrade or evaluate modern alternatives. To guide this decision, they engaged Litcom to complete a comprehensive PIM assessment and modernization strategy.
Challenges
Although the Informatica PIM platform had supported the business for more than a decade, it no longer aligned well with the organization’s operational needs. Customizations had increased system complexity, slowed data management processes, and raised overall maintenance costs.
Leadership faced several key challenges:
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Limited visibility into which capabilities were still essential
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Difficulty upgrading due to heavy customization and outdated architecture
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Increasing effort required to manage product data across diverse dealer groups
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Uncertainty around whether the existing platform could support future business growth
With a major upgrade on the horizon, the organization needed an objective, strategic evaluation to determine the best path forward.
Solution
Litcom conducted a detailed functional, technical, and architectural assessment of the current PIM environment. Key activities included:
Reviewing business and buying group requirements to understand must-have capabilities
Analyzing customizations to determine which could be simplified, redesigned, or removed
Assessing data structure, taxonomy, and opportunities for cleaner organization
Evaluating integrations between PIM, PRIINT, and other internal systems
Identifying process gaps and inefficiencies across product data workflows
Conducting a high-level comparison of leading modern PIM solutions
Litcom then developed a modernization plan outlining upgrade requirements, risks, cost considerations, and alternative platform options, giving leadership a clear understanding of potential future-state scenarios.
Results
The assessment provided the organization with the clarity needed to make an informed modernization decision. Key outcomes included:
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A detailed view of the current PIM environment, capabilities, and limitations
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A clear comparison of upgrade versus replacement options
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Recommendations to simplify architecture, reduce customizations, and streamline workflows
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A modernization roadmap aligned with operational needs and long-term growth
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Greater confidence among leadership and buying groups in planning next steps
With Litcom’s guidance, the organization is now positioned to move forward with a strategic, cost-effective modernization approach that strengthens product data management across its national network.
