What Is A DAM (Digital Asset Management)

DAM is the acronym for Digital Asset Management. It is a unified and solid vault for overseeing computerized content. Through a DAM framework, the client can store, manage and disperse each corporate automated resource (for example, photographs, recordings, and reports, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg).

The Main Characteristics Of A DAM (Digital Asset Management)

As referenced in the presentation of this article, the DAM is just a framework that permits organizations to make due, file, coordinate, change, recuperate, and lastly, circulate computerized content of different sorts. It is a device that permits you to make a solitary arrangement of computerized contents, which are consequently embedded into a virtual list.

Along these lines, it is feasible to look for them utilizing metadata, ensuring admittance to them for all aspects of the organization.

Among the principal benefits of this stage is the chance of giving more prominent strength and further developing control of the corporate brand character and picture. These two perspectives rely upon the open door that the DAM provides for utilizing particular advanced documents and the option to refresh every asset from the directions in which they are found. Therefore having a controlled and unique distribution towards the outside. A DAM platform, therefore, can be connected to different systems such as, for example, editorial systems, e-commerce, PIMs, and more. Different types of media files can be placed and updated in a DAM.

The most common are PDF documents, audio and video files, animations such as GIFs, and many other sound files that can enhance the value of a trademark that owns the rights. It is also important to underline that the DAMs allow the management of these files using comments, tasks, and workflows that other company staff members can assign to constantly obtain complete files and give uniformity to the creative process. The systems can be implemented by leveraging cloud technology locally or in a form that integrates both solutions. This allows you to manage resources better when their number increases.

Also Read: Dispatch Software: One of The Best Asset Tracking Solution

How A DAM Works:

We have analyzed the main characteristics of the DAM; now, we will take a closer look at how this system works, focusing on the most critical steps that can be taken, starting from uploading a resource to distributing it on the various channels. The first step is the creation and insertion of the resource. The latter is inserted into the DAM differently:

Direct file upload
An automatic upload system
Synchronization from other systems
Additional connections

The second step involves finalizing the metadata upload. In fact, after inserting the file, the resource can be enriched by adding proper tags to give it more incredible value. The image can now be modified or processed by the required standards (graphic standards for publishing or web publishing). This is also the time to add metadata, i.e., all the data that allows for a quicker and simpler search of a particular file inserted in the DAM. Among the best tags to classify a file are the type of resource, the version, the type of support, and the technology used for the creation. This way of proceeding allows you to set up a well-structured DAM and easy accessibility for all corporate team members.

The third step for the correct functioning of a DAM is the management of the various operations using workflows. This means creating controlled data management processes. Therefore the indexing carried out can be exploited to take advantage of automation which, with precise rules based on tags, allows you to create automated actions and processes. The next step is about updating and versioning. Fundamental is the maintenance of resources constantly updated to their latest versions. A DAM system will take advantage of the most recent versions in the workflow, which will be synchronized in the various channels.

The older versions, of course, will remain memorized and will be exploitable in case of need. After upgrading versions, you need to take care of permission management. In fact, through the DAMs, you can manage the authorizations for the corporate team. In addition to ensuring greater security of resources, each member may have permissions related to their role. This way of proceeding prevents the resources from being modified incorrectly or again stolen or trashed by mistake.

The penultimate factor in the proper functioning of a DAM is content distribution. Through this platform, it is possible to publish files in all the desired channels. This process takes place through links with the different venues of the company, and it is also possible to manage the expirations of the connections created. Each resource created can be inserted into websites like e-commerce, where users can use updated live content. When an asset undergoes changes or updates, it is also changed in the distribution point where it is located.

Finally, we have content performance monitoring. Many DAM systems allow you to manage data on the performance of digital assets. Among the most critical data, we mention the number of visuals and the data on the interaction. This last step allows you to monitor, with great precision, the data relating to ROI and other KPIs important for digital assets.