The best technology to use is the technology that suits the user and its application. The software that can do ‘everything’ is usually not very flexible and the software that can only do one thing particularly well must be combined with other software, at a higher price.

There is no right decision. Every use should be examined beforehand. There is a project for every problem. One must first ask: what kind of products do I have? Where do I need my products? Who manages which products? What are the requirements for a PIM? What are the requirements for a DAM? What are my branding guidelines?

The reality is that no preparation will be enough and you rarely know where you are going to end up within a year or two. Therefore it is important to follow an agile principle, focus on flexibility and versatility of the system, and see what you need while you work with it.

Problem 1: I need a central product list

You can buy, configure, and use a PIM; then you will have central product management. Though it often becomes problematic when you want to have high-res product images from different angles in the PIM or you have to manually copy the product data from the PIM to the website.

Another long-term recommended option is to look at the problem away from the system. Do you need an up-to-date product list that you can enrich or expand with new information, as and when markets, situations, or systems change?

In Picturepark there is a simple solution:

1. Create your product list in Picturepark
2. Create your products manually

OR

1. Import products from an Excel file

It’s possible to create a simple product list in a few minutes.

After these steps, you have a central list of products: for your website, shop, and as a single source of truth for all employees.

The advantages of one central product list:

• Always up-to-date information.
• Simply connect to other systems.
• Easy to adapt and update.
• Available for all authorized users.
• No copy and paste of information and typographical errors.

The website and webshop can obtain the products via API or service provider:

1. Request a Picturepark API token for your integration.
   https://picturepark.com/help-cp/API_Clients.html
2. Access all published items from the product list. https://demo.picturepark.com/Docs/Rest/index.html#operation/ListItem_GetMany

API Call Get List Items by ID via Postman

Now you can add additional attributes, add new products, or create new product families within Picturepark. You can create marketing personas and assign your products to personalized product campaigns.

You can enrich your product information while you grow your business and you don’t even have to change the system or integration to your website or webshop. Just expand the solution based on your needs, as you do with your business.

Problem 2: I need all data in the cloud

The Picturepark Content Platform is a cloud solution and all data is stored in the cloud. You can easily upload data there. Recommended for the setup, is the development of useful system architecture: outlining who can access which data and under which circumstances they can do so.

The advantage of Picturepark is that you can start with a simple setup and expand at a later stage if it is necessary. You have the power and freedom to choose, which also gives you the peace of mind to know that you are covered for future eventualities. You can get started with the Picturepark Cloud by uploading your latest campaigns and then expand the inventory with product data, branding guidelines, and the company manuals.

The simplest approach to use on Picturepark can be quickly explained:

1. Create a Metadata Layer in Picturepark and add a title and a tag box; which connected list contains only a name for a start.
2. Import all data.
3. Tag the data with the most important keywords.

Create Basic Layer and Upload your Data

Later, it is advisable to translate the keywords and add more information. A breakdown of the keyword list is conceivable, perhaps supported by an automated cleanup. Perhaps the file name allows a first keywording or you opt for automated tagging of images via Clarifai.

Problem 3: I have to inform my stakeholders

Picturepark offers very simple solutions, it includes options to:

1. Invite the stakeholders to Picturepark and authorize the relevant files.
2. Share information via email, as a Picturepark Share.
3. Use a microsite, by adapting existing code examples.

You can find more information about the publishing desired information using a Microsite on Microsites and Embed Code.

There is no one ‘right’ solution to all problems, but there is often one right way to do it. The right approach, as well as the right platform, should be agile because this way you can solve one problem after another; without wasting time and money.