ERP and digital product passport (DPP)

Can an ERP system alone handle the Digital Product Passport?

ERP systems are primarily designed to manage business processes such as orders, inventory, purchasing, and invoicing. Although ERP systems often also contain product data, the Digital Product Passport usually requires much broader and more structured product data management.

The Digital Product Passport may include information such as:

• product materials

• technical characteristics

• environmental impact

• repairability

• recyclability

• safety information

All of this information is not usually located in a single ERP system.

Why is ERP often not enough for implementing the Digital Product Passport?

ERP systems typically contain only part of the information related to a product. Much of the data needed for DPP is often located in other systems or documents.

For example:

• supplier product data

• technical datasheets

• sustainability and material data

• marketing-related product information

• documentation and user instructions

When the Digital Product Passport requires a broad set of product information, combining the data only within an ERP system can be challenging.

ERP and product data management together

In many companies, ERP still acts as an important source of product data, but from the perspective of the Digital Product Passport, ERP often functions as only one data source among many.

In practice, implementing the Digital Product Passport often requires that a company is able to:

• collect product data from multiple sources

• connect the data to the same product

• manage the information in a structured format

• share information between different systems and stakeholders

This means that ERP and product data management often work together.

How can the Digital Product Passport be offered through a QR code?

A key idea behind the Digital Product Passport is that product-related information can be opened easily, for example with a QR code.

When a product’s QR code is scanned, the user can view a digital information profile related to the product.

This may include for example:

• technical product information

• material information

• user instructions

• maintenance-related information

• recycling instructions

Implementing this kind of view usually requires a system that can combine product data from different sources and make it easily accessible.

How can Pimmix complement an ERP system in implementing the Digital Product Passport?

Pimmix works as a product data management system that can complement an ERP system especially in situations where product data is needed from multiple sources.

With Pimmix, companies can for example:

• collect product data from suppliers

• combine information from the ERP system and other sources

• manage product data centrally

• enrich and complete product data

• convert data for different channels and standards

This can also make it easier to build the information structure required for the Digital Product Passport.

In addition, Pimmix’s Extranet functionality can be used as a portal through which product-related information can be opened, for example via a QR code.

This means that:

• consumers can view product information through a QR code

• retailers can check product-related information

• service providers can find product-related documentation

The Extranet can be configured for different use cases, and one possible use case is providing Digital Product Passport information.

Frequently asked questions about ERP and the Digital Product Passport

Is an ERP system enough to implement the Digital Product Passport?
Often ERP contains only part of the product-related information. The Digital Product Passport usually requires combining data from multiple sources.

Where is the information for the Digital Product Passport usually located?
The information may be located in an ERP system, supplier systems, documentation, or product data management systems.

Can the Digital Product Passport open through a QR code?
Yes. A QR code is one way to provide access to digital information related to a product.

How can companies prepare for the Digital Product Passport?
Often the first step is to centralize and structure product data so that the information can be managed and shared efficiently.

Markus Rahkonen

Co-founder

"In many companies, the ERP system is a key source of information, but the Digital Product Passport often requires a broader view of product data. When information can be combined from different sources and managed centrally, implementing the Digital Product Passport becomes much easier."

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