Connector: definition and role in PIM

In PIM practice, connectors reduce integration effort when they match the buyer's version, data model and processes. Connector quality varies widely: some cover full product, variant, asset and category synchronisation with error handling, and others export a flat file. Connectors may come from the PIM vendor, a partner or an iPaaS.

Illustrative example: a brand uses a PIM connector to publish products to its commerce platform. The connector handles variants and images, while custom fields for bundles need extra configuration by the implementation partner.

In a selection, a connector that exists on a slide has to work for the buyer's specific systems. Buyers should ask who builds and maintains each connector, whether it is included in the licence, and test it on their own data. Error handling and deletions break connectors more often than the initial load.