Noam Naveh
CEO @Stylib
In architecture and design, product catalogues are the bridge between suppliers and specifiers. Yet many suppliers still rely on ERP systems to manage their product data.
ERP is great for running the business, but it’s not built to reflect product information the way AEC clients like architects or interior designers consume it.
In this article, we’ll explain what ERP and PIM are, how they differ in catalogue management, and why suppliers in architecture and design need both systems working together.
What is ERP?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. It’s the system that manages the backbone of a company’s operations.
An ERP is focused on things like:
- Stock levels
- Prices and costs
- Supplier details
- SKUs and basic attributes
- Orders, shipping, and logistics
Think of ERP as the back-office record keeper. It ensures the right product is in stock at the right cost.
But from a designer’s perspective? That’s not enough. Designers don’t just need to know a product exists in the system, they need to explore finishes, compare alternatives, and understand performance quickly.
ERP systems are not designed to hold visual information, detailed product attributes and assets. This makes them unsuitable for product discovery and data sharing – both fundamental to selling in architecture and design.
What is PIM?
PIM stands for Product Information Management. It’s designed for something very different: making sure product data is searchable, shareable, comparable, and easy to understand across every channel where specifiers look.
A PIM manages:
- Marketing descriptions and copy
- Images, videos, swatches
- Detailed specs and attributes
- Certificates and CAD models
- Localised content for different markets
Think of PIM as the front-office storyteller. It turns raw product data into something designers can actually work with – whether they’re browsing a website, scrolling through a marketplace, or downloading a technical sheet.
ERP vs. PIM in catalogue management
Both ERP and PIM are internal systems. Designers never engage with any of them directly. But the output from each of those systems is what makes a business perform.
ERP is focused on the basics: stock, prices, orders, and suppliers. That works well for running the business, but it doesn’t give designers what they need to actually review or specify products.
That’s where PIM comes in. PIM makes product data richer, more organised, and easier to distribute. It turns raw data into something that can be shared in a usable way – with images, specs, and context that help designers compare options and make decisions.
Simply put, ERP keeps the records straight in the back office, while PIM prepares the data so it can be used by designers to review and specify.
Here’s how the two compare:
Aspect
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
PIM (Product Information Management)
Primary role
Back-office operations & transactions
Store and share customer-facing product content
Data focus
SKUs, stock, prices, suppliers
Descriptions, images, specs, CAD/BIM, media
Strengths
Inventory control, order management, finance
Rich product data, marketing content, multichannel publishing
Catalogue view
Minimal – confirms product exists, cost, stock
Rich & usable – makes products searchable, shoppable, comparable
Users
Operations, finance, supply chain
Marketing, e-commerce, sales, design
Flexibility
Rigid, structured for accuracy
Flexible, designed for enrichment & discovery
Channels supported
Internal systems, procurement, logistics
Websites, marketplaces, print, mobile apps
Updates
Manual, slower, IT-driven
Faster, self-serve for content teams
Best together
Keeps business running
Makes products discoverable and usable
The best setup: ERP + PIM together
It’s not ERP vs. PIM. It’s ERP + PIM working side by side.
- ERP keeps the business running – stock, orders, suppliers.
- PIM makes products stand out for designers – rich data, imagery, easy discovery.
Together, they ensure a catalogue is both accurate and engaging – giving suppliers operational efficiency, and giving designers the experience they need to move from inspiration to specification.
PIM for architectural product companies
For architectural product companies, the catalogue isn’t just a sales tool – it’s a design tool. Architects and interior designers depend on it to explore materials, compare options, and specify products with confidence.
That’s why PIM is especially valuable for architectural product companies:
- Visual-first search: PIM makes products explorable by images, colours, and finishes.
- Technical depth: Certificates, CAD/Revit files, fire ratings, acoustic values – PIM keeps technical documents tied to the product record and easy to access.
- Multi-channel consistency: Whether it’s a website, marketplace, digital sample library, or printed binder, the same accurate product data flows everywhere.
- Faster specifications: Instead of chasing PDFs or calling reps, designers get complete, spec-ready information in one place.
The bottom line: ERP keeps you stocked, but PIM gets you specified. For suppliers in architecture and design, that’s the difference between being in the catalogue and actually being chosen for the project.
Stylib Hub gives every product a consistent, customizable data structure with attributes for technical specs, certifications, dimensions, finishes, and more. Instead of scattered fields or improvised formats, you get a clean, scalable system that supports filtering, validation, and export across any channel or platform.
Datasheets, images, test reports, and certificates all live in one place, connected to the correct product and version. Stylib Hub makes it easy to upload, organise, and update files so you always know what’s current, and you never have to dig through folders or chase the right PDF again.
Not every audience needs the same data. Stylib Hub lets you configure outputs for different destinations, whether it’s a spreadsheet for a distributor, a selection for a client, or a structured feed for your digital tools. One source of truth, multiple outputs, no copy-pasting.
