Summary
Product data is at the heart of customer experience, but managing it effectively requires the right strategy and technology. In this episode, Alex Semrl, Managing Director of Contentserv US, discusses the evolution of product information management (PIM) and how the recent acquisition by Centric is creating new opportunities for unified product lifecycle management. Learn how businesses are streamlining operations, improving data quality, and enhancing personalization by integrating PIM and PLM. Infoverity helps organizations bridge strategy and execution to unlock value across the product lifecycle. Listen now to explore how end-to-end product data solutions are shaping digital transformation.
Transcript
Jocelyn Biltgen 00:00:
You’re listening to Infoverity’s Trust Us podcast, where you can gear up for your data management journey with bite-sized discussions on industry trends and thought leadership. On each episode, we’ll feature industry experts to help you navigate your path to mastering your enterprise data.
Welcome to Trust Us, the Infoverity podcast, where we dive deep into the latest trends and insights in the world of information management. I’m your host, Jocelyn Biltgen, Associate Director at Infoverity, and joining me today is my co-host, Taylor.
Taylor Becht 00:32:
Hi everyone, I’m Taylor and I’m excited to be here with Jocelyn to bring you another insightful episode. Today we have a special guest joining us, Alex Semrl, Managing Director of Contentserv US.
Alex, welcome to the show.
Alex Semrl 00:45:
Thanks Jocelyn and Taylor. It’s great to be joining the Infoverity Trust Us podcast with you both.
Jocelyn Biltgen 00:51:
We’re excited to have you. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell us about some industry trends that you’re seeing in the PIM space specifically?
Alex Semrl 01:00:
Absolutely. One of the major trends we’re seeing is the increasing importance of data quality and governance. Companies are realizing that having accurate and consistent product information is crucial for delivering a seamless customer experience. There’s also a growing focus on integrating PIM systems with other enterprise systems to create a unified view of product data. We’re noticing a shift toward more personalized customer experiences, which requires robust and flexible PIM solutions that can scale with the organization.
Taylor Becht 01:37:
That’s some really fascinating information, Alex. Based on that, how do those industry trends align with the recent news of Contentserv’s acquisition by Centric?
Alex Semrl 01:48:
Great question, Taylor. The acquisition by Centric is a very strategic move and aligns perfectly with these trends. By combining Contentserv’s PIM capabilities with Centric’s PLM expertise, we’re able to offer a comprehensive solution that addresses the entire product lifecycle. This integration allows us to provide our customers with more robust data management and collaboration tools, and better support the growing demand for personalized and data-driven customer experiences.
Jocelyn Biltgen 02:15:
That’s such a great strategic move, and I’m excited to hear more. I’d like to offer our listeners a little more information about PIM and PLM. Alex, what do you think are the most important differences between a PLM and a PIM?
Alex Semrl 02:33:
Sure. PLM, or product lifecycle management, focuses on managing the entire lifecycle of a product—from conception through design, manufacturing, and disposal. It’s all about collaboration and ensuring that everyone involved in product development has access to the most up-to-date information.
On the other hand, PIM, or product information management, centers around managing and distributing product data across various channels. It ensures that product information is accurate, consistent, and current. So, while PLM focuses on internal processes, PIM is really about the external presentation and distribution of product data.
Taylor Becht 03:40:
That’s great information, and it’s a very common question. With all of that said, can you tell us more about what makes Contentserv and Centric a unique pair of solutions to help customers?
Alex Semrl 03:51:
Happy to. The combination of Contentserv and Centric brings together the best of both worlds. Contentserv’s strength lies in managing and distributing product information effectively, while Centric excels at managing the product development process. Together, we offer a seamless solution that helps customers streamline operations, improve data quality, and enhance collaboration across teams and business units. This integrated approach allows businesses to be more agile and responsive to market changes, ultimately leading to better customer satisfaction and business outcomes.
Jocelyn Biltgen 04:50:
That really goes into a lot of the feedback we hear from customers about end-to-end solutions—from product inception all the way to the moment a customer purchases it.
To summarize our discussion so far, here are a few key points:
- Data quality and governance are becoming increasingly important in the PIM space, along with PIM integration with other enterprise systems and a shift toward personalized customer experiences.
- Contentserv’s acquisition by Centric combines PIM capabilities with PLM expertise to offer a full product lifecycle solution.
- PLM manages internal product development while PIM manages external product data distribution.
Does that resonate with you, Alex?
Alex Semrl 05:23:
Absolutely. Integration capabilities are really important. Having seamless data exchange and ensuring teams can operate effectively within both systems with a unified view of their data is foundational.
Jocelyn Biltgen 05:43:
Yes, and that integrated foundation is essential for enabling analytics and AI. Having consistent, well-managed data allows everything else to build on top.
Taylor, do you have any other questions for Alex today?
Taylor Becht 06:03:
I do. Alex, could you share some real-world examples of how customers have benefited from using Contentserv and Centric together?
Alex Semrl 06:11:
Absolutely. One of our customers, a global retail brand, was struggling with managing product information across multiple channels. By implementing Contentserv’s PIM solution, they centralized product data and ensured consistency across all touchpoints. With Centric’s PLM, they streamlined their product development process, reduced time to market, and improved collaboration. As a result, they saw a significant increase in customer satisfaction and sales.
Jocelyn Biltgen 06:50:
That’s a great example, and I hope it resonates with our listeners. Alex, final question—where can people connect with you or learn more?
Alex Semrl 07:03:
Absolutely. Our teams will be at Shop Talk in Las Vegas the last week of March. We’ll also be at Print Day with the Infoverity team on April 10th in Chicago, and at B2B Online in Chicago on April 28th.
If you’re attending any of those, we’d love to meet in person. You can also connect with me or the team on LinkedIn, or follow Contentserv updates at www.contentserv.com. We’re also active on social media.
Jocelyn Biltgen 07:52:
That’s awesome, Alex. Thank you so much for joining us today. We always enjoy having you on the show.
Alex Semrl 08:01:
Likewise. Thank you, Taylor and Jocelyn. I really appreciate the opportunity.
Jocelyn Biltgen 08:08:
That’s a wrap for today’s episode of the Infoverity podcast. Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe and stay updated on the latest episodes. Until next time, take care.
For more than a decade, Infoverity has been established as an industry-leading consultancy, specializing in solving enterprise data management business problems with best-in-class technical solutions. Our firm has consultants located around the globe, with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and Valencia, Spain. If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you, please visit our website at infoverity.com. Additional contact information is in the show notes.
