Understanding Roles and Privileges in PIM Like a Pro

In the intricate landscape of Product Information Management (PIM), different roles come together to ensure the smooth operation and enrichment of product data. Each role has distinct responsibilities and privileges, guaranteeing expertise and precision in handling various aspects of the PIM system. Below, we explore the roles, responsibilities, and specific privileges based on the outlined areas: Attributes, Categories, Products, Asset Management, Validation Rules, Data Import, Data Export, Workflows, and Reports.

Importantly, multiple roles can be combined within one person - it depends on the structure of the company. If the organisation is a large enterprise, the hierarchy and structure will be complex, with many people involved in the management and data enrichment process. The opposite is true for small and medium-sized companies with a flat, small, multi-tasking team.

‍

Catalog Manager

Responsibilities:

Catalog Managers hold significant responsibility within the PIM system, being able to create, read, update, and delete items in the catalog. They manage and update hierarchies, categories, and other essential elements, ensuring the accuracy and currency of product information by approving content within collaboration areas.

Privileges:

Catalog Managers require full CRUD access to all areas, which includes the ability to create, read, update, and delete attributes, categories, products, asset management, and validation rules. They also need to execute data imports and exports, manage workflows, and execute reports.

‍

Category Manager

Responsibilities:

Category Managers focus on maintaining and modifying product hierarchies. They handle categorizing items and managing hierarchies but have limited product catalog access. They perform specific classification tasks like adding, moving, copying, mapping, and searching categories, as well as creating and running imports and reports.

Privileges:

Category Managers should have CRUD permissions on categories and limited product access. They are granted access to create, read, update, and delete attributes and categories, read and update products, and have the ability to execute data imports and exports, as well as generate reports.

‍

Content Editor

Responsibilities:

Content Editors are key players in data entry and manipulation. They input product data manually or through imports and work within collaboration areas, lacking direct write access to the catalog itself. Their focus is on data accuracy and completeness.

Privileges:

Content Editors should have read and update permissions within the collaboration areas but not broader catalog access. They have the capability to read and update products, and execute data imports.

‍

Product Asset Manager

Responsibilities:

Digital Asset Managers oversee all digital assets tied to products, ensuring proper storage and categorization within the Digital Asset catalog.

Privileges:

Digital Asset Managers require full CRUD access exclusively to the Product Assets, which includes the ability to create, read, update, and delete digital assets. They also should have the restricted privileges to link products with assets (media, video files, data sheets, PDF sheets).

‍

Merchandise Manager

Responsibilities:

Merchandise Managers ensure the proper association of digital assets with product items, maintaining accurate visuals, documents, and other media.

Privileges:

Merchandise Managers need read access to products and full CRUD access to digital asset associations. They should have the special restricted privileges to link products with assets (media, video files, data sheets, PDF sheets).

‍

Vendor

Responsibilities:

Vendor users, as external entities, add or update items within their designated areas of the collaboration workspace. They only work with items relevant to their offerings.

Privileges:

Vendor users need CRUD permissions for their items within the collaboration area but restricted access elsewhere. They can create, read, update, and delete products, and execute data imports specific to their items.

‍

Data Quality Analyst

Responsibilities:

Data Quality Analysts ensure data within the PIM system is accurate and consistent. They audit, monitor, and report on the data quality, collaborating to correct any issues.

Privileges:

Data Quality Analysts should have read and update permissions within content areas for auditing purposes. They have access to read and update products, read and update validation rules, and execute reports.

‍

Localization Manager

Responsibilities:

Localization Managers adapt product information for different regional markets, ensuring accurate translations and regulatory compliance. In today's generative AI era, the Localisation Manager is a validation expert working with translation specialists and ensuring better quality translation data.

Privileges:

Localization Managers should have CRUD access to localized content and moderation permissions for translations. They are able to read and update attributes, products, and categories, and execute data imports and exports (for translation data).

‍

SEO Specialist

Responsibilities:

SEO Specialists enhance search engine rankings and visibility of product information through optimization techniques and the implementation of best practices.

Privileges:

SEO Specialists need read access to product data, write permissions for metadata, and report execution capabilities. They can read products and attributes, update attributes, and execute reports.

‍

Governance and Compliance Manager

Responsibilities:

Governance and Compliance Managers ensure the PIM system complies with relevant regulations, performing audits and enforcing governance standards.

Privileges:

Compliance Managers should have access to monitor and enforce governance policies, with approval rights for compliance actions. They can read and update validation rules.

‍

By carefully delineating these roles and configuring the necessary privileges for each, organizations can maintain an efficient and well-managed PIM system, ensuring high standards of data quality, compliance, and operational effectiveness.