A PIM may be a software program, such as Outlook, or a device, such as a PDA, but all PIMs provide multiple ways to log and organize personal and business information such as contacts, events, appointments and notes.

PIMs have two main advantages over pen and paper alternatives for recording personal and business information; PIMs allow users to keep different types of data all in one place and PIMs allow users to access such data more easily.

For instance, if you remember only part of a record, such as part of a business's name, it's a lot easier to find the record you're looking for on a PIM, using the search function, than to find it by flipping through a directory. PIMs also offer record integration; if you enter data into Outlook (a popular PIM) as a contact, you can easily access the information when you're composing an email.

And PIMs allow users who are using the same kind of PIM to communicate more easily and share information. Outlook users can check the schedules of other Outlook users on the same network when scheduling meetings, for instance; PDA users can beam information to each other.

It's hard to imagine a business person who doesn't use a PIM of some kind. Many have several, as PIMs can also be integrated with one another. 

The trend in PIMs appears to be moving toward ever-increasing integration as peripherals coalesce. PIMs already allow users to do things such as browse the 'Net and record voice messages; PIMs that are part cell phone are in the works.

Also Known As: Contact Manager. 

Alternate Spellings: None.

Common Misspellings: Personel Information Manager; Personnal Information Manager.

Related Resources:

"Basic Email Management"
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About Palmtops/PDAs
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