PIM

Stands for "Personal Information Manager."

A Personal Information Manager is a category of software application that helps manage all sorts of personal information, from notes and office documents, to contacts, photos, or a personal journal. A PIM app can focus on a single kind of information, like a calendar or note-taking app, or it can be a comprehensive suite of tools that manages multiple types of information. Since many operating systems now include a few simple built-in PIM tools like calendars and email clients, many third party PIM apps focus on taking those features and making them more comprehensive and customizable.

PIM software stores the information entered into it in a database. Notes, saved documents, appointments, and anything else in that database is easily accessed. Some PIM software stores that database in the cloud to make it accessible from multiple devices or a web browser. Since this personal information can be very private, some PIM databases can be encrypted to keep the data secure.

PIM software was a major feature of Personal Digital Assistants like the Palm Pilot and the Apple Newton. Now that smartphones have replaced PDAs, mobile operating systems include many PIM features. In addition to a smartphone's built-in calendar, contacts, and note-taking apps, some popular PIM software titles include Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, and DEVONthink.

Updated October 7, 2022 by Brian P.

quizTest Your Knowledge

Which of these is not a field found in an IPv6 data packet's header?

A
Source IP address
0%
B
Hop limit
0%
C
Recipient email address
0%
D
Destination IP address
0%
Correct! Incorrect!     View the Packet definition.
More Quizzes →

The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary

The definition of PIM on this page is an original definition written by the TechTerms.com team. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.

The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please contact us.

Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter

How often would you like to receive an email?

You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.

Questions? Please contact us.