Many companies are rolling out product information management (PIM) systems so they can digitalize and modernize their product data management. For companies that operate internationally, the question of how the content from the PIM software is to be translated also comes up in the context of the search for a suitable PIM solution. This might sound like a trivial manner, but that is by no means the case. Since your product data is involved, which is arguably among your company’s most valuable assets, all of this needs to be taken very seriously. In this article we explain what possibilities companies have for translating product descriptions into multiple languages. We also discuss the advantages of connecting PIM systems and translation management systems (TMS), which can significantly accelerate translation processes. The process of translating valuable product data should not be considered a marginal issue but a full-fledged and integral part of the PIM system implementation. In the past, the greatest challenge that companies faced was preventing mountains of paper from forming and digitalizing data and processes. Although digitalization still lags behind in some sectors in Germany, it is fortunately the case that (almost) all business data is now digitalized. However, the term “digitalized” can vary a lot in scope and meaning. If you are reading this article, you may have recently implemented or are planning to roll out a PIM systemin order to manage all your product information on a centralized basis. Perhaps you are currently still working with product texts that are stored in Excel spreadsheets. If this is the case, such information is frequently not up to date – and it is also often manually entered in two or three different places. This is nothing to be ashamed of, as you are in the best of company in doing things this way. Many companies have product data management that is more or less analogue in nature. Only now are they beginning to consolidate processes that are currently confusing and hard to keep track of. All of these companies are united in their desire to save time and money as well as avoid errors in product information in the future. For most companies, a more or less digitalized product data management system is a matter of course. However, the term “digitalized” can vary a lot in scope and meaning. Companies that operate internationally need to translate or localize the product data contained in their PIM systems into several languages. All of these companies have dedicated themselves to the goal of reaching a broader target group by conquering new markets. It is important to keep in mind that more than 60% of customers will not even consider purchasing products online if the website and information are not available in their native language. So when implementing a PIM system, you need to think about how the content in the PIM system is to be translated. PIM consultants often suggest processes that are unsuitable, although this sometimes does not become apparent until such processes are more closely scrutinized. The key to the problem is that translation processes and company requirements are as unique as the people implementing them. Standard off-the-rack solutions can therefore fall short when it comes to meeting real-world needs. The reasons for their failure range from the manual management they require to inadequate data security and quality control. Below we describe some of the best-known standard solutions, all of which are likely inappropriate for most companies. The standard solutions on offer frequently fail to meet the particular needs of any given company. Manual translation management sounds tedious, overly complex, and prone to error? That’s certainly not too far from the truth! Some PIM systems have built-in features that enable direct translations in the system, which sounds quite practical at first glance. However, if you are working with a language service provider, you need to give them access to your system for this purpose. In addition, PIM systems do not have crucial features like connection of a translation memory, a terminology database, or a quality management module. Some language service providers look to automate translation process by using an interface to transmit data to a translation environment they provide. The relevant translators then have access to this translation environment to do their work. This might be a great solution for some companies, but it is necessary to keep in mind that arrangements like this can lead to an unwanted dependency relationship. If you want to make use of another provider, you may not have access to the data that has already been translated. At a minimum, the effort required to transfer the data from one language service provider to another is enormous. You also have virtually no control in such situations, as sovereignty over your data no longer lies with you. Most MT engines can also be connected directly to the translation interface of the PIM system or of the language service provider. In the vast majority of cases, an automated process is preferable to a manual one. There are also foolproof automation options that drastically reduce the amount of work and the susceptibility to errors during translation processes. To have the product information of the PIM system translated in an optimal manner, it is recommended that you use an interface to connect the PIM system to a translation management system and then automate the process. During the implementation, it is necessary to individually define what the translation process is to look like in detail. However, you can already look forward to taking advantage of the benefits mentioned below. Almost any PIM system can seamlessly be connected to the Across Language Server. Here you will find the most common interfaces. By connecting the PIM system to the TMS, you benefit from a major advantage in the form of access to key functionalities that accelerate processes and increase quality.