Solutions in the data management aegis are booming, and the list is constantly expanding. 

The customer base for businesses is expanding every day. The amount of data that needs to be managed and stored is overgrowing. There's no way any company can do this all on their own, especially when it comes to dealing with multiple customers and different aspects of the business.

How can you cater to multiple customers with organized data under one umbrella? 

This is where a SaaS PIM solution comes into play. 

It is vital to process accurate and fresh product data to serve your users. But why opt for a SaaS PIM and not the on-premises Software? 

Let's investigate. 

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What is SaaS PIM?

A SaaS product information management solution is a complete, all-encompassing service that offers streamlined storage and content delivery through the web. It's also referred to as an on-demand product information management service due to its subscription-based nature. 

When designing an optimal strategy for handling product information, a SaaS PIM solution will allow for smoother integration and a hassle-free learning process - saving your team time and energy in the long run.

In a nutshell, SaaS Product Information Management is the perfect option for professionals to save time managing product information. This platform provides handy features that drastically improve productivity and efficiency so that you can focus on other things. 

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Which Is the Best Option to Implement PIM- SaaS vs. On-Premises

The major highlight that differentiates the SaaS and on-premise solutions is where your Software will live. SaaS solutions are hosted and maintained by a third-party provider, while on- solutions are hosted in-house or supported directly by the vendor. Each implementation type has unique benefits that appeal to customers for different reasons. 

It's essential to evaluate which option works best for you based on your budget, goals, security requirements, company culture, and more. But some things are pretty universal that help you decide whether you need a SaaS PIM or on-premises Software. 

Following are the points that help you determine whether you have to go with a SaaS PIM or On-premises PIM; 

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Cost efficiency

When you implement on-premises PIM systems, you add multiple hidden costs without knowing them. On top of this, you may need to cover both the cost of hiring and training additional staff to deal with the massive volume of data produced by these systems.

On the other hand, SaaS PIM has less uncertainty regarding cloud-based platforms because you pay for the service on a month-by-month basis and not for physical infrastructure, so there is only a small expenditure to help with implementation.

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Data processing 

The benefits of SaaS PIM accessibility must be weighed against the need for a strong and reliable internet connection. Such a connection will be essential if you are to ensure the rapid movement of product data from cloud servers to end-user devices.

It's likely with most on-premises PIM software that users will not have access to or run their Software on the same network as the servers. In such instances, there will still be a need for remote access as intermediary means far away from where the servers are located. You can accomplish this through cloud solutions like SaaS PIM.

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Maintenance and support 

As you probably already know, a SaaS PIM that anyone can use at any time. The client is not in charge of the maintenance, as this duty lies with the Software as a Service provider. The vendor has guaranteed product availability, but businesses should be wary as well because these products can usually contain hidden costs - such as hidden fees or constant increases in monthly payments. Data security is also always an issue worth checking if you're considering subscribing to one of these services!

With the on-premises PIM solution, the company is given control over its internal servers and hardware. This option requires IT staff to deal with the administrative burden of ensuring systems are up and running. 

Unlike with SaaS applications, there may not be someone from the software provider to handle these issues. So if something occurs with your product, you will be left to deal with it unless you find someone who specializes in fixing these bugs.

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Usability 

The user experience with on-premises PIM software is suitable for technical users but not for those who aren't very tech-savvy. Open source PIM software allows the user to create a customized experience that makes the tool beneficial to the end-user. 

SaaS PIM provides easy usability for people with a non-technical background. This type of technology is designed to be used by consumer or business users, meaning you can access product data and professionally use a centralized platform instead of having to access data from multiple locations.

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Pros of using SaaS PIM 

• You can implement a SaaS solution at a pocket-friendly cost.
• It requires lower maintenance costs.
• With SaaS PIM, you will get secured and personalized management. 
• Provides automatic backup with complete data security. 
• Availability of better storage and expandable storage volume options. 

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Cons of using SaaS PIM 

There is a chance that the cloud will temporarily lose access to your data.

• Every user will have their own set storage size or space, so you'll have to pay more as your business grows.

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Pros of using on-premises PIM 

• Best data protection as the databases are stored on the local premises.
• It is more flexible and reliable. 
• 100% privacy as the entire premises are owned by an in-house team.
• Offers complete ownership and control. 
• Simple data processing.

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Cons of using on-premises PIM 

• Expensive for initial implementation and has additional costs. 
• You should have an in-house team to fix errors and bugs. 
• Difficult to scale up or scale down. 

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Checklist to Look for When Looking for a SaaS PIM

When looking for a PIM platform, make sure that your solution is flexible and complete enough to accommodate your company's needs as it grows.

Use this checklist while considering a SaaS PIM platform; make sure that;

• They have a cloud storage option rather than their servers.
• It has a multi-tenant system and configurable functions. 
• It can establish fast and secured connections with other systems. 
• It has zero additional charges except for error fixing and updates.
• It has the scalability option following the data management and the number of channels you manage. 
• It has the best maintenance and support system. 
• It has a simple implementation and onboarding process.
• It offers high-grade security to your database. 
• It has a free demo of the PIM. 

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Wrapping up 

Most businesses haven't moved to SaaS infrastructure in their technology implementations yet. This is because they prefer to run things on-premise and have a dedicated system administrator and Software or hardware engineer who works with them as an extension of their team to maintain the cloud. 

These systems still work for companies like this. However, the advantages of a SaaS PIM outweigh the shrinking benefits of traditional software implementations if you pick the best PIM for your business. 

If you want to make product information management with ease, there's no better option than Supplysail. We can ensure your company's product data is up to date without costing a fortune! There is no harm in investing in the Software that leverages your business; book a free demo now! 

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