Source and quality map
An inventory of systems, formats and flows, and of where duplicates and inconsistencies appear.
One version of every product.
One central product model across ERP, PIM, e-commerce and spreadsheets, usually on Pimcore.
When you need it
When every system has its own version of the product.
As a company grows, product data spreads across more systems, formats and teams. Without one source of truth, duplicates and manual reconciliation grow, and getting complete data takes longer every year.
- ERP, the PIM and the shop show different names or values for the same product.
- Reports disagree because each one reads a different source.
- Every new system or channel means another mapping done by hand.
- Duplicates appear when data comes from several sources.
- Nobody is clearly responsible for some attributes.
Product data in numbers
10M+ SKUs in our clients' systems.
Figures from our own projects and the Pimcore partner directory.
- 10M+SKUs in our clients' systems
- 35+PIM implementations
- 70+PIM and e-commerce implementations
- 300+projects delivered
- 30+experts and consultants
- 2010operating since
- Pimcore Platinum Partnerone of two Platinum partners in Poland
- Ergonode partnerand we implement Akeneo
Sources: LemonMind, November 2026 · Pimcore partner directory, 4 Nov 2026
What it looks like
The same product, three different records.
The price list, the catalogue and the ERP export describe one product in three ways, and someone reconciles them by hand.
Same product · three sourcesHex bolt M8×40, zinc plated · 1 physical product
3 conflictsField
price_
catalogue
erp_
Name3 values
Hex bolt M8×40 zinc
HEX BLT M8 40 ZN
M8X40-ZN
Unit3 values
pcs
pack of 100
100 pcs
EAN3 values
5901234…
missing
5901234… (other)
A value that disagrees with the other sources and has to be reconciled by hand.
Illustrative example: a typical starting point before the work begins.
Compare
PIM, MDM or ERP: which data does each one hold?
The three systems complement each other. ERP runs transactions, the PIM runs product content, and MDM keeps one agreed record that every system can trust.
| Criterion | PIM | MDM | ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main data | Product content: descriptions, attributes, images, translations | Core records across domains: products, customers, suppliers, locations | Transactions: orders, invoices, stock, prices |
| Main goal | Publish complete product content to every channel | One consistent version shared by all systems | Run sales, finance and logistics |
| Typical users | Product, marketing and e-commerce teams | Data owners across the company | Sales, finance and logistics teams |
| In Pimcore | PIM module | MDM in the same platform | Connected through APIs and Pimcore Datahub |
Comparison prepared by LemonMind, October 2026.
PIM, MDM or both?
We look at your systems and data flows and show which system should own which data.
When it makes sense
Four moments when companies start MDM.
Most projects we see start with one of these events, not with a wish list.
Scope
What master data management covers.
Central product data model
Entities, attributes, relations, variants and classifications that become the shared reference.
Ownership and rules
Data owners, change rules, approval points and responsibility for quality.
Consolidation and standardisation
Data from many sources merged, names and structures unified, and duplicates detected.
Workflows and quality control
Steps for completing and approving data for channels and languages, with completeness rules.
Integrations and distribution
Flows between MDM, ERP, PIM, e-commerce and publishing channels, with a clear direction for each.
How we work
From scattered sources to one source of truth.
- 01
Diagnosis of sources and flows
We analyse systems, formats, flows and data quality, and find where the differences come from.
ResultA map of sources and their differences. - 02
Target model and ownership
We design the central data model, the ownership rules and how changes are made.
ResultA data model with named owners. - 03
Consolidation and integrations
We merge data from the sources, standardise it and build flows to the systems that use it.
ResultMerged data flowing to every system. - 04
Launch and next domains
We launch the processes, hand over responsibilities and plan the next data domains and sources.
ResultWorking processes and a plan for next domains.
Case studies
One source of truth in working systems.
PIM and composable commerce
VOX
Pimcore as the foundation for product data management and a composable commerce architecture.
Read case study
PIM, DAM and e-commerce hub
Ceramika Paradyż
A central hub for product data and presentation, built on Pimcore.
Read case study
ETIM / BMEcat mapping
GTV
A central Pimcore system extended with ETIM classification, BMEcat export and the ETIM Mapper tool.
Read case studyFAQ
Questions about master data management.
What is master data management?
Master data management (MDM) keeps one agreed version of a company's core records, such as products, customers, suppliers and locations, and shares it with every system that needs it. For product data it means one source of truth instead of a separate version in ERP, PIM, the shop and spreadsheets. See also how to centralise distributed product data.
What is the difference between MDM and PIM?
A PIM covers products only: descriptions, attributes, images and translations for sales channels. MDM also covers customers, suppliers and locations, and focuses on one consistent record shared by all systems. Pimcore combines PIM and MDM in one platform.
What is a golden record?
One trusted version of each product record, built from the data in ERP, PIM and spreadsheets after duplicates are merged and conflicts resolved. Every system then uses that one version instead of its own copy. More in one source of truth in PIM.
Does MDM need a new system?
Not always. Sometimes the main work is agreeing the data model, the owners and the rules, and connecting existing systems to one source. When a platform is needed, Pimcore can cover PIM and MDM together.
What usually starts an MDM project?
Most often an ERP migration, a new data management role in the group, new EU rules for product data, or the end of a contract with the current system vendor.
Which technology do you use for MDM?
Mostly Pimcore: data modelling including classifications such as ETIM, workflows, data quality rules and Pimcore Datahub for integrations. We choose the scope after a diagnosis of your sources and flows.
Who should own master data?
Named people on the business side, each responsible for a group of attributes or a data domain, with IT running the platform and integrations. Without owners, quality depends on whoever reacts first.
Where do we start?
With a diagnosis: we map the sources, the flows and where duplicates and gaps appear, then propose a target model and the scope of the first stage.
Olgierd MrozikCEO, LemonMind
Start with a diagnosis
Let's find where your source of truth should be.
In a free 30-minute call we look at your systems and data flows and suggest where to start: a model, an owner or an integration.
30 minutes. The calendar opens in a new tab.
- 2010 founded
- 300+ projects
- 70+ PIM and e-commerce implementations