Fischer Information

Fischer Information is the brand of Fischer Computertechnik GmbH, based in Radolfzell on Lake Constance. The company has been developing software for technical documentation since 1985. Its component content management system is called TIM, and its accompanying PIM solution is TIM connect.

TIM connect: PIM for technical communication

The key strength is the integration. Product data and technical documentation, such as operating instructions, draw on the same underlying information. TIM connect organises product information according to a company’s own product model and links data, images and descriptions. External systems can automatically populate TIM connect or, conversely, receive information from it. Catalogues and data sheets are generated automatically.

Who Fischer Information is suited to

Customers such as STIHL, WACHTEL and allsafe manufacture products that require detailed explanation. For companies like these, there is a clear advantage in creating marketing data and technical documentation in a shared environment rather than in separate silos. If you do not have a technical documentation team, you do not need that part of the solution. In that case, you should assess whether TIM connect makes sense without TIM.

From TIM to SCHEMA ST4

Quanos recommends that TIM customers move gradually to SCHEMA ST4 or the InfoTwin platform. As an initial example, Quanos cites intralogistics manufacturer KNAPP, whose migration from TIM to ST4 took around six months. Companies currently using TIM and TIM connect should address two questions separately: where will technical documentation be maintained in future, and where will product data for sales and e-commerce be managed? ST4 covers the first area very well. For the second, a dedicated PIM system connected to ST4 may be a sensible choice.

Market context

Like Quanos, Fischer Information is a provider of component content management systems (CCMS) for technical documentation. TIM connect was its accompanying PIM module. For more on the current offering, see the Quanos profile. For an overview of conventional PIM systems, see our PIM vendor overview.