From Chaos to Clarity, Part 2: Powering AI Search Experiences with Clean Product Data

AI is revolutionizing the distribution industry—but before you can take full advantage of the latest advancements in artificial intelligence, you need to get your data in order.

As the Applied AI for Distributors conference approaches, many businesses are evaluating tools that promise smarter customer experiences, automated workflows, and personalized search. But here’s the reality: no matter how advanced the AI, it can’t deliver results without clean, consistent product data.

In Part 1 of this series, Pimberly explored how AI-driven Product Information Management (PIM) platforms bring order to chaotic, inconsistent product data. Now, in Part 2, we’ll show how that organized data becomes the fuel for high-performance AI search and discovery powered by HawkSearch.

Why Clean Product Data is Essential for AI-Driven Search

For distributors and manufacturers, product search isn’t just about convenience—it’s core to the buying experience. But when your data is messy, even the smartest search engines fail.

Clean product data empowers AI to:

• Interpret technical specs, industry terms, and part numbers accurately

• Match customer queries to the right products instantly

• Power features like autocomplete, dynamic filtering, and recommendations

• Enable visual and voice search technologies

Without well-structured data, AI can't connect the dots—and your customers end up with frustrating search experiences.

How HawkSearch Turns Organized Data into AI-Powered Results

HawkSearch uses structured product data from platforms like Pimberly to deliver relevant, intelligent results tailored to each buyer’s needs:

🔎 Search Precision

AI interprets detailed specs, sizes, and categories—surfacing the right results faster.

🧠 Smart Response + Natural Language Processing

Smart Response uses NLP to translate conversational searches like “threaded valve for 150 PSI” into exact product matches.

📈 Intelligent Merchandising

HawkSearch uses clean data to optimize product placement, apply boost/bury rules, and display personalized recommendations that drive conversion.

📸 Visual Search

When your product data is tagged and enriched, you can unlock emerging capabilities like visual search by image.

AI Can’t Work with Dirty Data

Think of it this way: implementing AI without first cleaning your data is like installing a top-tier GPS in a car with no engine. To navigate the road to smarter eCommerce, your product data needs to be complete, structured, and standardized.

Download the Checklist: Is Your Product Data AI-Ready?

To help you get started, we’ve created a practical checklist of best data practices for AI success in distribution. Whether you're launching AI tools like HawkSearch or preparing for a new PIM implementation, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to make your product data AI-ready.

Download the Checklist or stop by either the HawkSearch or Pimberly booth at Applied AI for Distributors to pick up a printed copy and chat with our data and AI experts.