Akeneo PIM implementations – centralization of product data for B2B companies
In manufacturing and distribution companies, managing product information using Excel spreadsheets and outdated ERP modules generates problems that sooner or later impact sales.
What problems does implementing a PIM system solve?
01. No standards
One Product Manager implements the product charter one way, another does it differently. The data is inconsistent, and its quality depends on the individual, not the process.
02. Mistakes and their consequences
Incorrect technical data not only leads to complaints. It also poses a risk of legal liability for incorrect product specifications.
03. Delays in introducing new products
Manufacturers share information about new products, but without the right processes and tools, implementation takes months. Your competition is already selling and positioning itself online, but your company isn't yet.
04. Managing product data across multiple channels
Selling across multiple marketplaces, your own store, and various markets requires different formats and attributes for each channel. Without a central source, updating your offer in one place doesn't automatically translate to the rest – data gets scattered, and your team manually updates the same information multiple times.
05. Bottleneck with a large catalog
With tens of thousands of SKUs, products wait months for implementation because without the right system and processes, each update is a manual job.
Thanks to our understanding of these issues and our experience, we know how to permanently eliminate data chaos. We implement PIM, a single source of truth for the product catalog. Your team then retrieves indexes from the ERP, enriches them in a dedicated environment, and automatically distributes the correct data to all sales channels.
Why is it worth implementing Akeneo PIM?
The decision to implement PIM is an investment in operational efficiency. By replacing manual file updates with a central database, organizations achieve measurable results:
Shortening Time-to-Market (TTM)
Instead of weeks of manual data preparation, new inventory from the supplier reaches all sales channels within a few business days at most.
Team Performance
A single employee can handle a product database three to four times larger without increasing hours. Mass-editing variants replaces manual rewriting.
Reduction of errors and returns
The system ensures that a complete set of technical attributes is maintained (e.g. voltage, thread, material) before the information is transferred to other systems and ultimately to the customer, which drastically reduces service and complaint costs.
Akeneo PIM implementation process at Cognize
We implement the system iteratively, with a clear division of responsibilities.
01
Information Architecture Analysis (1-2 weeks)
We map the current data flow with the support of the client-side team to define the main data sources and target channels.
02
Data model design (3-4 weeks)
We are building the database framework in Akeneo – category structure, attribute tree and inheritance rules.
03
System integrations (3-6 weeks)
We ensure bidirectional data exchange. We integrate PIM with ERP (often using an intermediary database) and target channels.
04
Data migration and standardization (2-4 weeks)
We are migrating the current catalog and removing historical and erroneous data.
05
Testing and verification (1-2 weeks)
Your team verifies the flow of information in the test environment (from ERP to product data sheet).
06
Team training (1 week)
We conduct workshops for employees on your product catalog.
07
Go-Live and Support (SLA)
Production launch and continuous integration monitoring.
Have any questions?
Let's talk about cooperation.
What systems can we integrate Akeneo PIM with?
Integration with ERP
We integrate with applications such as Comarch ERP Optima, Comarch ERP XL, Subiekt GT, Subiekt Nexo, Symfonia, SAP ERP, and Streamsoft Prestiż. We retrieve SKUs, EAN codes, inventory levels, and base prices using asynchronous data exchange to minimize the burden on the ERP system.
Integration with eCommerce B2B + B2C
We integrate PIM with, among others, Magneto 2 stores. PIM provides structured packages of all product information to the online sales system.
Cost and time of implementing Akeneo PIM
The budget depends on several factors:
Pre-implementation analysis
This is an optional cost, but it provides a foundation that protects the project against unforeseen costs. The budget is typically 2-6 PLN.
Akeneo PIM implementation and configuration
The cost of launching and basic configuration of Akeneo Community is PLN 16.
Dedicated functionalities and additional work
Priced individually depending on your needs.
Ready-made additional modules
We have a number of ready-made modules, such as the AI Translation Module, the PDF Catalog Card Creation Module, the AI Description Generation Module, and many others.
Delivery time
On average, 2 to 5 months until production launch (Go-Live).
Why consider Cognize as your Akeneo PIM implementation partner?
Several PIM implementations behind us
We have documented experience implementing projects for companies such as Astra Polska, FCA, Filtrosfera, and Flora. The largest product database we've worked on includes nearly 2 million SKUs with extensive attribution. This isn't knowledge from documentation—it's knowledge from the project.
We specialize in complex technical product catalogs
We work with companies with challenging product lines: multiple product families, complex attributes, and multiple distribution channels. We know how to design a data model that works at scale and that your team can maintain independently.
We understand your challenges from the inside
PIM implementations are led by a former B2B eCommerce Manager. This means we don't start with system configuration, but with understanding the company's processes. We advise on solution selection, help organize data before implementation, and train the team on how to use the target system.
We guide you through organizational change, not just technological change
PIM implementation typically involves new roles, new responsibilities, and new processes within the company structure. We help define these before the system is deployed to users. This ensures that the project ends with a functioning implementation, not a system that remains unused.
Additionally, we offer modules for PIM Akeneo
PIM Akeneo
AI Product Content Generation
A module for generating product content using AI (GPT chat model) based on product attributes.
PIM Akeneo
AI Translations
A module enabling mass translation of existing text-type attributes (descriptions, titles, names, etc.) into any language.
PIM Akeneo
Generating catalog cards and catalogues
A module for generating catalog cards and product catalogs using product data available in Akeneo.
Have any questions?
Let's talk about cooperation.
Inquiries
How does the request for quotation work?
We take responsibility for our clients' businesses.
Our approach and effective actions build partnerships that we mutually appreciate.
01
Contact and talk about the project
Contact us and explain your needs. We'll gather all your requirements and discuss your project together (in person or via video call).
02
Specification and planning
We'll work with you to develop project specifications during a workshop at your company. At the end of the meeting, we'll create documentation, a feature list, and a full project plan.
03
Offer and implementation
We will respond to your specifications and present our offer. We will begin the project with a kick-off meeting, during which we will introduce the experts from our dedicated team and present the work schedule.
Request for Proposal Process
What else can we do for your company?
Cognize B2B eCommerce Agency - What do we do?
We offer services aimed at increasing revenue, optimizing processes and improving profitability.
Investment
Implementation and maintenance
integrations
Technology
B2B consulting
Not sure what system you need yet?
Before you decide on a specific technology, it's worth exploring which solution truly fits your sales model. Our experienced B2B eCommerce Manager consultants help companies choose the right direction—without predetermined answers. If you feel it's a good time for a consultation, learn what such a collaboration looks like.
Experience
Experience in your industry
The electrical, heating, lighting, cosmetics, medical, motorcycle, automotive, FMCG, clothing, and sports industries are just some of the industries we have implemented. Ask about our experience in your industry.
What do our clients say about us?
Punctuality, flexibility, availability, professionalism (...)
In 2017, we began working with Cognize (KMK Group) on the BAST system. Since then, the project has been developed and managed with exemplary skill. Cognize's (KMK Group) work is characterized by timeliness, flexibility, availability, professionalism, and, most importantly, the ability to present complex programming solutions in an accessible format.
This cooperation has resulted in our development and stability.
This cooperation has resulted in our development and stability, and the form of business contacts based on mutual trust is increasingly rare today, yet extremely effective.
(…) we can now easily and effectively manage our product catalog (…)
Cognize provided us with two services: Digital Sales Transformation Consulting and PIM Implementation. They provided the necessary know-how and demonstrated methods for various business process integrations with PIM systems. Thanks to their expertise, we can now easily and effectively manage our product catalog while minimizing implementation costs.
They helped us understand our needs and proposed the best solution based on the analysis results.
Our collaboration with Cognize began with a consultation. At this stage, they helped us understand our needs and proposed the best solution based on the analysis results. Cognize then began implementing the final system. The project was conducted with a high level of communication, on time, and, most importantly, with the Cognize team's ongoing initiative.
Immediately after opening the new store, we saw an immediate increase in sales.
After launching the new online store, sales immediately increased. The Cognize team (formerly KMK Group) was able to manage the project independently, working with minimal involvement from the snowboard brand. Their independence and communication skills were also impressive.
(...) we recorded a dynamic increase in our company's turnover
(...) The e-commerce platform they created not only meets all our expectations but also provides enormous opportunities for future technological development. Thanks to the solid technical architecture and innovative features, we have seen dynamic growth in our company's turnover, which we attribute directly to the functionality of the new website. Excellent communication and high availability of the team ensured we could count on support at every stage of the project. (...)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about PIM Akeneo
Does PIM replace an ERP system?
No. ERP remains the primary system for managing finances, warehouses, and logistics. PIM only manages the product information layer (descriptions, images, technical parameters).
Does implementing Akeneo PIM require a change to the eCommerce / B2B platform?
No. Akeneo integrates with most modern engines via API. You can feed your existing store with structured data.
Who owns the data after implementation?
Your company. Upon completion, we provide full technical documentation. You can outsource system maintenance to your internal IT department or another agency at any time.
Do you have an idea, a ready specification or a business need?
Write to us. We will contact you within 24 hours.
