Digital Asset Management
Documents, images and videos - digital assets are among the most important corporate assets today. Nevertheless, many companies still work without central data storage. Long searches for files or unnecessary reordering are the result. In addition, the effort for maintenance and security of the decentralized structures increases. Digital asset management provides a solution to this problem.
Definition: What is Digital Asset Management (DAM)?
The term Digital Asset Management refers to software solutions for centrally storing, organizing and sharing files of various formats, including in particular media files (images, audio, video) - so-called media assets. With its detailed search functions, the DAM system ensures easy availability of content for internal and external users.
DAM is used by companies that want to optimize the use of their files. Especially in departments that work with many media files, such as marketing and sales, the software is used.
What Is the Difference Between Digital Asset Management, Media Asset Management and Product Information Management?
If you research digital asset management applications, you'll encounter a number of terms and software that, at first sight, don't seem to differ. While there is overlap in the functionality of digital media asset management, media asset management (MAM) and product information management (PIM), they have different orientations.
DAM-System vs. MAM-System
Media Asset Management centralizes and simplifies the storage and sharing of media files such as audio, video and images. The application area of Digital Asset Management is broader and also includes all other file formats, for example for documents and tables.
DAM-System vs. PIM-System
Product Information Management focuses on the management of product data. While this may include media such as product photos, it does not include all other media used in the company, for example company presentations, image films or team photos.
Advantages of Digital Asset Management
More efficient collaboration
Instead of having to click through folder structures or have files sent to them as e-mail attachments, employees can conveniently find files using a search function when using a DAM system.
Location-independent access
Digital asset management can be deployed as a cloud or on-premise application, and in either case, employees can access key assets from any location via a browser login, whether they are at a customer site or working remote.
Consistent brand identity
Companies can store and maintain all CI material centrally in the DAM system. Branding guidelines can also be stored here. In This way, companies ensure that employees always work with the latest versions and that they offer customers a first-class brand experience.
High level of security
Digital Asset Management Software verfügt über detaillierte Berechtigungsfunktionen, sodass der ungehinderte Datenfluss und die intuitive Auffindbarkeit die Sicherheit nicht beeinträchtigt wird. Nur Mitarbeiter mit Berechtigung erhalten Zugriff auf gesuchte Elemente im DAM-System.
Reduced costs
If graphics and photos can't be found quickly enough, they are reordered. It's an everyday scenario in many marketing teams. Such licensing costs add up. With a DAM system, companies not only reduce the indirect costs that arise from searches and arrangements, but also reduce their costs for new acquisitions.
What Exactly Is a Digital Asset Management Solution Doing?
Digital asset management software serves as a central library for data to which multiple employees, partners, customers and other stakeholders should have controlled access.
The application includes numerous functions that a simple storage on a shared server does not offer. In addition to a powerful search, detailed authorization management and automatic backups, automated workflows (workflow automation) can also be created - depending on the provider. DAM systems are characterized by their intuitive interfaces and high integration and configuration capabilities.
Digital Asset Management and Media Asset Management Software Examples
CELUM DAM
Parsionate is "Implementation Partner - Trusted" by CELUM. The company is one of the worldwide leading European providers of DAM systems. The solution offers functionalities that go far beyond the industry standard. Thanks to the use of AI, for example, duplicate files can be detected and assets can be tagged automatically.
ADOBE Experience Manager
Adobe also has digital asset management software in its portfolio. This is a particularly interesting option for companies that use Adobe Creative Cloud intensively. They can connect their applications directly to Experience Manager.
Informatica Media Manager
Informatica offers a digital asset management solution as part of its MDM Product 360. As a consulting and implementation partner, we recommend the platform especially for large companies with a high volume of data that value a clear, high-performance infrastructure.
Contentserv DAM
The data experts at Contentserv offer a DAM software that can also be used stand-alone and without a PIM but can be flexibly expanded. It is basically suitable for medium-sized companies as well as for global brands. Parsionate is a premium partner of Contenserv. Our experts advise companies individually on whether the solution meets their requirements.
Digital Asset Management Implementation - Why Bring a Partner on Board?
The market of DAM providers has become confusing. There are many providers with supposedly similar solutions. On closer inspection, however, not every software is suitable for every company. External consulting can help companies shorten the research and decision-making process and implement an optimal solution.
Parsionate has been supporting companies for many years in formulating scope and requirements as well as selecting suitable digital asset management software. Based on many years of project experience with different solutions, our consultants can reliably map requirements and solutions so that companies can reach their goals significantly faster.
Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Asset Management
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Costs vary widely depending on the provider and pricing model. Many providers only disclose prices upon request, as the costs depend on the required scope of services of the application.
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The vendor selection should be based on the scope and requirements of the software. It is advisable to distinguish between mandatory and optional functions. To shorten the vendor research and selection, an implementation consulting can be useful. Parsionate has many years of experience in working with various data management applications and has an overview of which solutions answer which requirements optimally.
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It is technically possible to use PIM and DAM systems in parallel in the company. Depending on the scope of services, PIM and DAM functionalities are integrated in a common software. If a DAM or PIM system is already in use in the company, this does not replace the introduction of the other system, as the scope of functions is not congruent.
Optimal data flow