Content is every element that makes up a label or package on a consumer product. It must be created and approved, often at a rapid pace. The input of multiple stakeholders makes managing content data tricky at best, yet inaccuracy is unacceptable.
Are you a content manager responsible for the creation, collation, and publication of all product information? Creating and obtaining content from disparate systems is no easy feat. Every market has its own processes and requirements, further complicating your job and forcing you to be adaptive. If you’re wondering how to solve these problems, you’re not alone.
That’s where packaging content management, or PCM, comes in. Let’s dive into what PCM is and how it can help your company.
Current Challenges in Content Management
There are four main challenges brands face in the content management journey, including:
Disparate Systems
A lot of brand and product content is managed in a variety of systems. There is no central source for information, content is stored in multiple locations. This leads to disorganization, confusion, and oftentimes, rework.
Traceability
It’s imperative, yet often difficult, to track what content appears where. For example, different regions, languages, industries, and regulatory bodies require different content. One artwork may have one version of content while another artwork has an entirely different version. Traceability is lost if this information isn’t stored in a central location.
Duplication
Content appearing on a physical package must match the content available on ecommerce platforms. However, when using different systems lacking traceability, mistakes will be made and likely go undiscovered. When content is created for the artwork, and then duplicated for ecommerce, mistakes are repeated and inaccurate content is published, leading to recalls and increased costs.
Different Processes
Different markets use different processes. Inevitably, this increases confusion. Brands need a single, streamlined process applicable to the various markets they work in to manage content effectively.
What is Packaging Content Management (PCM)?
PCM is a single source that helps you manage the process of creating, updating, and approving content like text and symbols for packaging and leaflets. A centralized location results in efficiency, allowing you to bring products to market faster.
WebCenter Packaging Content Management allows you to manage the creation, approval, and reuse of text statements, barcodes, symbols, and other content that goes on artwork. It enables you to produce compliant packaging and avoid costly and time-consuming content mistakes, all while allowing your content teams to be more productive. Eliminate error-prone manual processes, reuse content across multiple projects, and export to and from other systems in industry standard formats.
What’s So Special about Esko’s PCM Solution?
Let’s get to the good stuff. You know what PCM is, and we’ve explored some of the benefits. Yet, you’re probably wondering what makes it so special. You asked, so we’re answering.
User Interface
The user interface of your software systems should be intuitive and visually appealing. With WebCenter’s PCM module, you can drive the whole process from the project dashboard, giving you more functionality and making it easy for infrequent users to understand. You can offer a custom user interface for each of the functions your users perform. The user interface then only shows them the steps and tools for their own specific task and guides them through the process. The dashboard is fully integrated so you can enjoy a more flexible workflow that grows with your company.
Focus on eContent
Today packaging exists in both physical and digital worlds. Therefore, syncing content creation to ensure accuracy is mission critical. PCM enables you to utilize ecommerce content sheets, which are designed to keep track of all the information needed for a given project. This is also useful for ecommerce, as you can quickly make edits to content before publishing it directly to ecommerce sites.
Best Practices
Best practice approaches are necessary to streamline processes and avoid complications before they arise. For example, multiple markets collaborating can lead to miscommunications, errors, and confusion if different brands are taking different approaches. Best practices create unity. Another common challenge is library management on a global scale. How does one brand, with multiple branches in various countries, manage content and assets more efficiently? Best practices minimize confusion by ensuring everyone is on the same page.
The PCM Practicalities
Packaging content management solves some of brands’ toughest problems by providing a centralized system ensuring everyone is working on and using the correct versions of content. Content libraries allow the reuse of existing content and guarantee only approved packaging product content is used. Robust reporting capabilities enable easy and accurate “where-used” searches. A consistent and standardized interface provides visibility to all activity in live projects.
It may be a hackneyed expression, but working smarter, not harder, is truly achievable with PCM. Want to learn more? Explore how WebCenter can help your company today. Request a demo!
