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Product Data Sourcing

Data management1/5/2026Intermediate Level

Product data sourcing is the process of identifying, collecting, and integrating product information from various internal and external sources into a PIM system.

What is Product Data Sourcing? (Definition)

Product data sourcing is the process of gathering information about products from where it is first created or stored. You collect this data from sources like ERP systems, supplier databases, spreadsheets, and external providers. After finding the data, you check it for accuracy and prepare it for a PIM system. Good sourcing ensures your PIM system has accurate and complete details from every department and supplier. This step helps keep your data quality high. It makes it easier to improve and share your product info across different webshops and marketplaces. WISEPIM simplifies this by connecting directly to your various data sources.

Why Product Data Sourcing is Important for E-commerce

Product data sourcing is the process of collecting information from suppliers to create product listings. If you start with wrong or missing information, it causes problems later. Customers might see incorrect details, which leads to more returns. Efficient sourcing helps you get new products online faster. It ensures your product details look the same on every sales channel. Using a PIM system like WISEPIM makes this process easier and reduces manual mistakes. This allows you to grow your product range quickly while keeping data accurate.

Examples of Product Data Sourcing

  • 1Pulling technical product details from an ERP system using an API connection.
  • 2Importing product photos and videos from a DAM system into your catalog.
  • 3Collecting marketing text and product descriptions from outside agencies to fill out product pages.
  • 4Getting product features and price lists from supplier websites or automated data feeds.
  • 5Gathering safety information from official databases to ensure products meet legal standards.

How WISEPIM Helps

  • Centralized data collection brings all your product info from different sources into one place. WISEPIM uses simple tools to make this process fast and organized.
  • Automated data mapping connects incoming files to your system automatically. This saves time and stops the mistakes that happen with manual typing.
  • A supplier portal lets your vendors upload their own product details directly. This ensures the information is correct because it comes straight from the source.
  • Data validation checks for errors as soon as you import new information. It catches missing details or wrong formats early to keep your data clean.
  • Approval workflows give you a way to review new data before it goes live. Your team can check everything to make sure only accurate information reaches your customers.

Common Mistakes with Product Data Sourcing

  • Using different formats for data from various sources. This creates messy product information that confuses customers.
  • Entering data from supplier spreadsheets by hand. This slow process leads to many typing errors and wastes time.
  • Failing to check data for mistakes when you first receive it. This allows wrong information to flow directly into your PIM system.
  • Not assigning clear owners for specific data tasks. This results in disorganized updates and conflicting information.
  • Trusting that all supplier data is perfect. You end up with incomplete or wrong product details because you did not verify them.

Tips for Product Data Sourcing

  • Set clear rules for managing your data. Decide who collects, checks, and updates information right from the start.
  • Use a PIM system to keep all product details in one central spot. This makes managing and sharing data simpler.
  • Automate your data collection. Use APIs to pull information from suppliers and ERP systems to reduce manual work and errors.
  • Check your data quality before you publish. Use automated rules and manual reviews to ensure information is accurate and complete.
  • Work with your suppliers to improve data quality. Provide clear requirements and templates to help them submit product information correctly.

Trends Surrounding Product Data Sourcing

  • AI-powered data extraction and enrichment: Utilizing AI to automatically extract product attributes from unstructured supplier documents and enrich existing data with relevant details.
  • Automated data ingestion pipelines: Implementing advanced automation to streamline the onboarding of supplier data, reducing manual effort and speeding up time-to-market.
  • Emphasis on sustainability data: Increased demand for sourcing specific environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data for products to meet consumer and regulatory requirements.
  • API-first data sourcing: Moving towards direct API integrations with suppliers and internal systems for real-time data exchange, supporting headless commerce architectures.

Tools for Product Data Sourcing

  • WISEPIM: A comprehensive PIM solution for centralizing, enriching, and distributing product data, crucial for efficient data sourcing and management.
  • Akeneo PIM: Provides a flexible platform for collecting, standardizing, and distributing product information across various channels.
  • Salsify PIM & DAM: Offers capabilities for product experience management, including robust data collection and digital asset management.
  • Integrator.io (Celigo): An integration platform as a service (iPaaS) that connects various systems (ERP, CRM, PIM, e-commerce) for automated data flow.
  • Alteryx: A data analytics and automation platform that can be used for data preparation, blending, and cleansing sourced product data.

Related Terms

Access Control (PIM)Attribute Dependency ManagementAttribute InheritanceAttribute mappingAttribute SetAttribute Value Normalization

Also Known As

Data acquisitionProduct information intakeProduct data aggregation