The PXM gap: how industrial manufacturers are preparing for AI-driven commerce

Industrial manufacturers are racing to adopt AI, syndicate content across more channels and markets, and keep up with rising customer expectations for accurate, complete product information. But behind every product experience sits a tangle of disconnected systems, manual handoffs, and data that doesn’t flow where it needs to go.

When PIM and DAM aren’t working together as one system, even well-funded AI initiatives end up inheriting the same inconsistencies they were meant to solve. This report draws on a survey of 100 senior leaders at industrial manufacturing companies across the U.S. and Canada to surface a hard truth: most believe they have bought the right tools, but only 7% say their product information flows automatically across systems. That’s the PXM gap, and it’s the difference between AI that works and AI that scales your existing problems.

What you’ll learn 

• Why only 7% of manufacturers have the integrated infrastructure their AI ambitions depend on, even though 79% are already implementing AI
• What separates having product tools from having a working, unified PXM system
• Which structural barriers (legacy technology, tool sprawl, and integration skills gaps) most often stall progress, and where AI initiatives tend to break first
• How leading manufacturers close the gap between keeping content accurate and getting it everywhere it needs to be, on time

This guide is for

• E-commerce managers
• Digital commerce and marketplace teams
• Product data and PIM teams
• Merchandising and content operations leaders

“Businesses are now moving very fast in using innovative technology, rich media, and new channels to bring products to market. However, moving at speed is only effective if manufacturers can operate freely across different channels and types of product information with confidence and agility, to optimize results.”
– Prysmian Group

Why Inriver 

Inriver is purpose-built to meet the complexity of modern B2B manufacturing: 

• Flexible data model for multi-market portfolios 
• Built-in digital shelf analytics and native syndication 
• Recognized by IDC and Gartner as a leader in B2B PIM 
• Trusted by global manufacturers including Alfa Laval, Intermatic, Prysmian, and Wolf Oil 

With Inriver, your product data becomes an engine for growth, agility, and future-proof digital commerce. 

“Best-in-class SaaS solution for PIM.”

_{Verified G2 review by cosmetics brand}

“The most flexible data modeling platform.”

_{Verified G2 review by medical manufacturer}

“There are no limits to what [Inriver] can do.”

_{Verified G2 review by medical manufacturer}