DAM: everything you need to know about digital asset management
Today, in the digital age, organizations, regardless of industry and size, use and need to manage a large volume of digital data and files on a daily basis, this is what we call digital assets.
A digital asset is an intangible asset that belongs to the company. Software, websites, cryptocurrency as well as all digital documents and multimedia content (images, audio and video files) are digital assets. They are generally stored on digital media (cloud, computers, hard drives, etc.).
To help businesses manage, organize, store, and share their digital assets, there are software solutions that include Digital Asset Management (or DAM). Presentation.
What is Digital Asset Management (DAM)?
In French, Digital Asset Management means the management of digital assets. It is a system or software that allows the storage, management and distribution of all digital content belonging to a company, in a centralized space.
Initially, Digital Asset Management tools were only used to store digital data. However, today, these solutions have evolved to adapt to business needs and have become collaborative platforms that facilitate management of all types of digital files (Word or PDF documents, images, videos, audio files, presentations, etc.).
Now, DAM allows practical, simplified and regulated access to all multimedia files by all employees of a company, regardless of where they are and what device they use (computer, smartphone or tablet) they use (computer, smartphone or tablet).
The benefits of DAM
The research and management of data and documents in general are time-consuming activities and have no real added value. The use of a management software digital assets therefore offer numerous advantages in the face of the multiplication of digital content.
Centralization of data
All your digital assets are centralized in a single space. They are easily accessible by all of your employees who automatically know where to find the file they are looking for without having to search different servers, examine numerous folders, or create a new file that then generates duplicates.
Facilitating research
DAM solutions are equipped with an indexing system and a search engine that allow you to easily find the documents you are looking for and also to limit the loss of files.
Content access control
You can easily manage user access to your various digital assets and decide who can view, edit, or validate a document. Thus, by limiting access to certain confidential content or certain sensitive data, you guarantee the security of your data.
Securing digital data
DAM software is a secure tool that allows you to protect your stored data against possible cyberattacks and provides you with a backup system in case of problems (failure, fire, flood, etc.).
Improving brand consistency
To maintain a good brand image, you need to be attentive to the information and content that is disseminated. You need to ensure that your employees use up-to-date documents that respect the brand's charter and guidelines. Your DAM software allows you to better control the use of your digital assets to ensure that the message communicated is the same and consistent across all channels.
Automating document validation
With a DAM, you can improve and automate your document validation system. Indeed, it is easy to submit a document for validation to an approver, wherever they are located, set a deadline, and send notifications or alerts to speed up the process of approving your files.
Analysis and improvement of your performance
A DAM solution collects information that allows you to measure and evaluate the performance of your digital content. In this way, you can adjust your strategy according to the results, personalize the content and offer an impeccable experience to each user.
The limits of DAM
Even if there are few, there are some limitations to using a digital asset management tool.
Encourage your employees to use DAM
If you decide to invest in DAM software, it is imperative that all of your employees use it. To do this, do not hesitate to consult them when choosing the platform, and above all, train them to use it.
Appoint a DAM manager
It is recommended to entrust the daily management of your DAM solution to a dedicated person whose objective is to assist users and allow all the functionalities of the tool to be used.
The importance of keywords
Remember to enter keywords for each of your digital assets to ensure that they can easily be found using the search engine. It is best to define a list of keywords in advance so that all DAM users use the same keywords.
Pay attention to expenses
When choosing your DAM solution provider, find out in advance what is included in the total price. Indeed, you may have to pay additional fees for maintenance, updates, customer support, training, storage, etc. Also, make sure that the software is scalable so that it can adapt to the changing needs of your business.
Today, it is essential for organizations to equip themselves with effective tools to manage the vast amount of digital data that they must process on a daily basis. DAM software is an essential tool for managing your digital assets.
Remember that the best DAM solution must adapt to the needs of your business and be customizable according to your requirements. Finally, it should be easily integrated into the tools you already use on a daily basis to allow you to be more efficient and improve your productivity.
