How do I compare PIM vendors fairly?

A fair PIM comparison holds everything constant except the vendor: the same requirements, scenarios, sample data and scorers, with weights agreed before the first demo.

Five rules make the comparison fair:

1. Fix the weights before the first demo, for example per requirement domain, and keep them unchanged once a favourite emerges.
2. Let each scorer score each scenario independently, then discuss differences. Group scoring follows the loudest voice.
3. Use one pricing template, and compare 5-year total cost of ownership with the same users, SKUs, channels and modules.
4. Ask each vendor to state what was configured for the demo and what is standard.
5. Check at least 3 references for each of the top 2 vendors, with a similar size, industry and integration landscape.

PIMvendors enforces neutrality in its data model: vendor records carry no sponsorship or partner-tier field, and lists are alphabetical unless the reader sorts. The same principle applies to your scorecard. Remove anything that rewards familiarity, such as a vendor already present in the company.

Document limitations as specifically as strengths. A scorecard that records only positives cannot defend the decision to the steering committee or to procurement.