We can all agree, despite the fact that the majority of us make an effort to keep things neat and organised, the quantity of files and the variety of formats we store on our computers continue to grow. And occasionally, we all ponder whether there is a more efficient way to keep pictures, movies, and papers organised and simple to share, not just with loved ones but also with our co-workers, bosses, clients, and potential customers. And that’s not the end of it.
Your resources may be quickly depleted by the cost of redoing lost or misplaced work or by the simple act of keeping everyone and everything in sync, leaving you with no energy left over to handle pressing matters, let alone enough room to expand and innovate. Digital asset management is extremely useful in this situation. In this article we will look at everything there is to know about Digital Asset Management software.
What is Digital Asset Management (DAM)?
Digital asset management software is a system for securely uploading, storing, organising, managing, sharing, and distributing digital assets. In most cases, we refer to digital media content such as images, photos, graphics, videos, audio files, PDFs, and all types of spreadsheets or digital documents. A DAM is a centralised digital repository that provides access to digital assets for the company’s employers, data suppliers, contractors, clients, and other involved parties. It improves the productivity and effectiveness of marketing teams and saves costs by structuring and organising the company’s creative processes.
Organizations can centrally store, arrange, manage, and publish digital assets across channels, thanks to the technology underpinning digital asset management, which is also a business process. Most business processes can be smoothly connected with DAM solutions and set-up either on-premises or as SaaS apps. End-users can effortlessly access advanced digital asset management features including image transformation, video transcoding, text recognition, document analysis, auto-tagging, batch processing, and AI-driven image optimization.
DAM solutions give IT the ability to simplify the continuous maintenance of digital assets by using a single, expandable repository. Additionally, it enables the use of workflows, ensures content governance, and provides fast access to strong features that would otherwise be rather expensive. The DAM system is therefore, much more than just an asset management tool.
Why do you need a DAM and what problems does it solve?
A DAM is primarily needed for internal central storage of all the company’s digital assets. It is used to organise collaboration between internal and external users who need access to these assets. The assets can then be used internally by various departments, primarily marketing and sales. You may also make them available to contractors that want access to your brand and marketing materials. Having all the digital assets in a single location allows for simpler, organised distribution.
The system facilitates adherence to brand standards and ensures a consistent brand experience across all marketing channels. Furthermore, digital publishing features allow you to publish your digital assets on marketing automation systems, social media channels, websites, and other platforms.
Is DAM a CMS?
Digital asset management (DAM) platforms and content management systems (CMS) share several similarities. To deliver digital materials to the user, a special vehicle can be employed, such as a DAM platform (think of image bank websites, where the digital assets are content). DAMs, however, can assist in transforming dull, uninteresting prose into visually attractive experiences with information that serves a variety of purposes when used in conjunction with your CMS or DXP.
No matter whether you already have a specifically designed CMS in place or just beginning the process of building a composable DXP, DAM should be one of the key focus of your attention. It might have a clear impact on the marketing team’s output as well as the businesses’ overall operational effectiveness. Integrating DAM capabilities into your current CMS or DXP system will significantly improve the end-user experience due to the built-in asset optimization algorithms and the lightning-fast asset delivery regardless of the user device or location.
Why is DAM software so popular?
Modern businesses promote their merchandise through digital content being delivered across all channels and devices, ensuring uniform brand and product communication. You have to create and interact with asset metadata if you are to realise the full potential of the asset. Metadata creates real value for digital assets by describing it, providing context, and making it possible for people to search for the asset.
Digital assets visually represent a brand or product in the proper way—making it attractive and uniform for the end customer across all channels. DAM has become an invaluable tool for effective omnichannel marketing and one of the most important tools for marketers and sales managers who want to make their jobs easier. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are actively used in modern systems for asset tagging and serving appropriate and relevant material to diverse customer target groups.
How to select an appropriate DAM system?
There are many solutions on the market, so choosing an appropriate system is not an easy task. To start with,
- Identify the people who will use the system and the processes that the DAM will cover.
- Make a list of features that you would want to see in your future solution. Don’t forget to consider non-functional requirements such as security issues, which you should also include on your list.
- Finally, once you’ve gathered and described all the requirements, it’s time to identify the DAM vendors who can supply them. Make the first contact and ask the supplier to comment on your requirements list.
- Now, you can narrow down the list of potential providers to two or three and invite them to present their software.
Types of Digital Asset Management Systems: On-Cloud or On-Premise
Cloud-based DAM systems operate out of the cloud within a Software as a Service (SaaS) licensing and delivery model. Software is licensed on a subscription model and is hosted, maintained, and upgraded centrally in the cloud. So, neither hardware nor software should be maintained by the adopter, hence, these costs are saved. Cloud-based DAM software is usually web-based, which means that all you need to use is just a modern web browser.
In contrast to cloud-based DAM solutions, on-premise DAM software is installed and maintained on the server infrastructure of the advertiser, which can be, thus, the adopter gets full control over the maintenance of the hardware. Usually, the software provider is involved in the process and is still responsible for those activities.
Hybrid solutions are also available. Open-source DAM software can be used both on-premise or off-premise. Each adopter just must decide which model is best suited for the requirements of their business. It is feasible to maintain direct control over your own data with this solution, in contrast to traditional cloud-based applications.
Does a DAM system pay off?
Implementing a DAM system can save the company a lot of money. There are many solutions available in the market, ranging from highly expensive to reasonably affordable. Ofcourse, these solutions don’t have the same functional scope but that is normal, you don’t need the solution with the highest number of functions; you need a solution that has the functions that you will use. Therefore, finding the ideal fit between the solution and your needs will add value. The main reasons for implementing DAM software are to improve brand communication and value and to optimise and automate business processes around your digital content. One of the key motivations for using a DAM is to save time searching for the right digital material. Time saved equals money saved for every business.
Conclusion
A major factor in deciding whether or not to adopt a DAM system is the volume of digital content you currently own. The technology bridges the gap between marketing and creative teams and promotes the creation, management, and distribution of digital material in a secure manner. DAM systems eliminate duplication and streamline operations when dealing with digital materials. When editing, discussing, reviewing, and approving digital files, the technology facilitates efficient collaboration.
You may easily embed your assets into digital resources like websites, online shops, or social media accounts thanks to DAM. Repurposing of the assets, which may save a lot of time and money, is one of the most significant aspects made possible by a DAM system. DAM systems can offer thorough analyses of your digital asset usage. Understanding which assets receive the most interaction will enable you to improve your brand communication and marketing campaigns.
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