Classification: definition and role in PIM

In PIM practice, classification serves two purposes. It groups products for navigation and reporting. In standards such as ETIM and ECLASS, it also prescribes which features each class needs and which values are allowed. A product classified correctly can be exchanged with wholesalers and customers without manual mapping.

Illustrative example: a manufacturer classifies a circuit breaker in the matching ETIM class. The class requires features such as rated current and number of poles, with allowed values and units, which the PIM enforces through validation rules.

In a selection, classification support differs widely between PIM products. Buyers should test importing a new release of their standard, mapping internal attributes to class features and exporting in the standard's format. AI auto-classification can speed up the assignment, with human review for edge cases.