Why agencies push Akeneo or Pimcore over Ergonode (and what they're not telling you)
The agency pitch: polished, persuasive—and slightly one-sided
If you’ve recently talked to a digital agency about a Product Information Management (PIM) system, there’s a high chance two names popped up first: Akeneo and Pimcore.
You’re not alone.
Many C-level leaders—CMOs, CTOs, Heads of Digital—hear the same story. Agencies recommend Akeneo as the “safe, enterprise-grade” choice. Pimcore gets billed as “open-source, infinitely customizable.” But rarely, if ever, do you hear them say: “Hey, have you looked at Ergonode?”
That omission isn’t always about performance. It’s often about something else: control, convenience, and commission.
Let’s unpack it.
Why Akeneo and Pimcore dominate agency playbooks
1. They’re safe bets—for the agency
Akeneo and Pimcore have been around longer, which means:
- There's more documentation.
- There’s more legacy familiarity.
- They’ve often been pre-approved in RFPs.
To the agency, recommending these tools is “safe.” Even if the fit isn’t perfect for your business, it’s unlikely anyone will point fingers later.
2. They create dependency
Agencies make money on billable hours, not just recommendations.
- Pimcore is complex and code-heavy—great for ongoing implementation and custom development retainers.
- Akeneo’s enterprise editions often require technical know-how for integration, which keeps agencies involved.
By contrast, Ergonode emphasizes simplicity, team workflows, and AI automation. It’s built to empower your in-house teams—not chain you to an agency forever.
3. Partnership incentives quietly shape the narrative
Let’s be honest: referral commissions and partnership status exist.
When agencies hit targets by recommending Akeneo or Pimcore, that influences what gets presented as the “best” option. It’s rarely disclosed outright. But it’s real.
Agencies that have invested in certifications or co-marketing deals with Akeneo or Pimcore will naturally push those platforms. And that doesn’t always align with your business needs.
What you rarely hear about Ergonode (but should)
Now here’s what rarely enters the agency-driven pitch deck—but deserves your attention:
It’s not just a PIM. It’s a team-first productivity engine
Ergonode’s interface is built for usability. It lets non-technical users manage product data with speed and clarity.
We’re talking:
- Drag-and-drop UI for enrichment
- AI-powered description generation
- Multilingual attribute syncing with automatic translation
- Workflow management that’s actually ergonomic (hence the name)
That’s a big deal if your business runs lean, relies on eCommerce managers, or wants to minimize time spent in back-office tools.
It scales with your ambitions—not your complexity
Akeneo and Pimcore often come with technical baggage. You need devs. You need integration consultants. You need upgrade plans.
Ergonode was designed with modern commerce in mind:
- Modular and API-first
- Fits both B2C and B2B structures
- Offers lightweight DAM capabilities without paying for a full DAM stack
- Integrates easily with marketplaces, ERPs, and CMS tools
When “enterprise” means “expensive and exhausting”
Let’s say you followed agency advice. You chose Akeneo or Pimcore. Now what?
For many companies, this is when reality sets in. And it’s not always the rosy picture promised in those slick pitch decks.
Here’s what I’ve heard from actual implementation leads, product owners, and digital managers:
“We didn’t realize how much internal training we’d need.”
Akeneo’s interface—while modern—still assumes a strong grasp of product structuring, entity modeling, and workflow configurations. Same goes for Pimcore, which is more developer-centric than it first appears.
You end up needing:
- An internal PIM lead
- Documentation for every new process
- Vendor support contracts (yes, they’re pricey)
“It became a dev project—not a product data solution.”
Pimcore especially has a reputation for this. Yes, it’s customizable. But that often translates to:
“We can’t move fast unless we open a Jira ticket.”
If your team just wants to add a new attribute, generate fresh product descriptions, or sync seasonal content—good luck doing it without technical help.
“We outgrew the agency, but we couldn’t escape them.”
The irony? These tools are pitched as scalable.
But once your agency has built a custom layer atop Akeneo or Pimcore, you're stuck with their stack, their integrations, their billing structure.
This turns into a long-term cost drag. Especially for SMEs or rapidly growing brands that pivot often.
Ergonode takes a very different approach
1. Built for the people doing the work
The people managing product data every day? They’re not devs. They’re eCommerce merchandisers, content editors, and product marketers.
Ergonode speaks their language:
- Create attribute templates like building blocks.
- Translate content with one click, using built-in AI.
- Run imports and bulk edits without waiting for IT.
This democratization of product data is what makes Ergonode shine. It empowers teams, not just systems.
2. No-code doesn’t mean no control
You still get:
- Complex workflows
- Multi-language logic
- Asset management
- User roles and permissions
But you don’t need to build all that from scratch. Ergonode’s out-of-the-box structure handles 90% of typical use cases without a dev in sight.
Want to model something custom? The API layer is there when you need it—but not in your face when you don’t.
3. AI transforms boring tasks into 5-second wins
This is where Ergonode leads. Period.
With generative AI tightly integrated, your team can:
- Generate SEO-friendly product descriptions from raw data
- Translate them into 5 languages instantly
- Update seasonal attributes (like “color of the year”) in bulk
That’s not just helpful. That’s game-changing.
Especially if you’re juggling hundreds or thousands of SKUs and want to expand internationally without doubling headcount.
What they’re not telling you: the true cost of "custom"
Every agency loves to say:
“We’ll tailor it to your business needs.”
But often, what that means is:
- High setup costs
- Ongoing maintenance contracts
- Delayed timelines when priorities shift
Custom isn’t always better. In many cases, it’s just… heavier.
And if your goal is to scale fast, pivot quickly, or empower a lean team, that weight is going to slow you down.
Voices from the ground: stories of PIM regrets (and rebounds)
We spoke to a few brands who’ve made the switch—or wish they had sooner.
“We spent six months just integrating Pimcore. Then another six rewriting what didn’t work. I wish we’d looked at something lighter from the start.”
— Head of IT, Home & Living Retailer
“Akeneo gave us structure, sure—but everything felt boxed in. When we moved to Ergonode, we started iterating in days, not sprints.”
— Product Data Manager, B2B Equipment Distributor
“Our agency pushed Pimcore hard. It looked impressive until we had to make every little change through them. Ergonode gave our team freedom back.”
— Ecommerce Director, Fashion Brand
The uncomfortable truth: you might be sold, not served
Agencies aren’t always trying to mislead you—but they do have incentives you don’t see:
- Referral bonuses
- Certification programs
- Ongoing retainer models tied to complex platforms
If the agency profits more from the build than the outcome, that’s a red flag.
Ask your agency these 5 questions (before you sign)
Use these prompts to evaluate their objectivity:
- What’s your financial relationship with this PIM vendor?
- Have you ever implemented Ergonode, or did you exclude it upfront?
- How long would it take us to onboard a new product manager without developer support?
- How much will custom fields or workflows cost us later?
- If our priorities shift mid-implementation, how flexible is your approach?
If their answers feel vague, defensive, or heavily skewed, it might be time to bring in a second opinion.
Ergonode isn’t just “another PIM.” It’s the smarter choice for modern teams.
Ergonode was designed to:
- Reduce dependency on tech teams
- Speed up content creation with AI
- Make internationalization painless
- Keep your product data ecosystem light, clean, and in your control
Whether you're scaling up, simplifying down, or starting fresh—Ergonode grows with you, not around you.
Ready to challenge the default?
Don’t let “safe bets” dictate your future.
Explore Ergonode’s Features
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