DAM is an acronym for digital asset management. A DAM system is one that manages videos, photos, music, and graphics to keep the files easily accessible and usable. DAMs can handle a slew of tasks, such as storing, retrieving, labeling, cataloging, and distributing. They can also take care of downloading, backing up, grouping, archiving, rating, maintaining, optimizing, and exporting files. If you are in the market for a DAM system, it’s important to select one that will meet your specific needs. Here are six tips to make this task easier.
- Consider the DAM Types
Before you start shopping for a system, you need to understand the possibilities. Some options to consider are:
- Cloud-based digital asset management systems
- Library asset management systems
- Production asset management systems
- Brand asset management systems
- Determine Your Needs
To help you evaluate what you need in a DAM system, answer these questions:
- Do you plan to share your collection with other people?
- Do you plan to incorporate videos and/or photographs?
- How many images do you plan to store?
- How much storage space do you have or will you need?
- Are you a professional photographer, marketing business, or hobbyist?
The answers to these questions will help you ascertain what type of DAM system will work for you.
- Evaluate Accessibility Needs
If you need ready access to your digital assets at a moment’s notice, you will need a DAM that gives you instant access. Think about:
- How often you need immediate access
- What you plan to do with your images
- Who you will share your digital assets with
- How many users will need to have access to the digital files
- Consider Where Your Images Will End Up
When choosing a DAM system, think about what you want to do with the graphics, photographs, music, and/or videos you are managing. Consider whether you will:
- Print photographs
- Leave photos as digital images
- Distribute prints, videos, or movies
- Software Checklist
There are many tasks DAM software can help you accomplish. You just need to figure out which capabilities you need. Some of your options include:
- Using cloud storage
- Speeding along your workflow
- Making import a snap
- Creating collections
- Adding keywords
- Adding descriptions
- Adding captions
- Including ratings
- Integrating RAW processing and/or editing
- Controlling versions
- Publishing photos online
- Adding import/export keywords
- Adding hierarchical keywords
- Ponder the Cloud
A storage and sharing option to ponder along with the others is the cloud. Cloud-based storage has many advantages, including:
- Photos and other data is offsite, so readily accessible.
- Treasured photographs will be safe in the cloud if your computer crashes.
- Sharing images on social media sites is easy via the cloud.
- There are security features, mobile support, and printing services through the cloud.
- You can take advantage of automatic backup, mobile support, and organization features.
DAM systems come in a variety of configurations, have a wide range of capabilities, and can do a plethora of tasks to manage your digital assets. With a comprehensive digital asset management system in place, you can get full use out of your creative images, videos, podcasts, and music without missing a beat.