Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems are often associated with the marketing or corporate communication departments, as they are responsible for managing and distributing visual content such as images, videos, and brand assets. However, the true potential of DAM extends far beyond these specific departments.
Implementing an enterprise-class DAM system and making it accessible to all departments within company or organisation can unlock a myriad of benefits and maximise its overall value. In this blog, we will explore the advantages of implementing a company-wide DAM approach and how it can positively impact various departments.
Usage is Much Wider Than Perceived
It is not surprising that many organisations are unaware of the true capabilities of a DAM system. Often, DAM is perceived as a simple photo library software rather than an enterprise tool that can be utilised throughout the entire organisation. This limited perception hinders the organisation from fully capitalising on the power of DAM.
When DAM systems first emerged more than twenty years ago, they were initially adopted by small groups of users from a single department, such as Corporate Communications or Marketing. The primary purpose was to showcase selected media files and documents to the entire organisation, creating an online photo gallery-like experience. However, this limited use case does not fully exploit the potential of DAM.
Transform Your Digital Assets into Valuable Organisational Knowledge
By tagging files with text data and assigning access control levels, assets transform into a valuable database. The DAM system evolves into a comprehensive resource for efficient organisation and retrieval of digital assets.
A robust DAM system allows the configuration of custom text data fields tailored to different departments’ specific needs. These fields enable tagging and organisation based on unique criteria. For instance, a product development department may require fields like SKU, manufacturing date, and technical specifications, while a legal department may need case numbers, review statuses, and confidential classifications. Customising text data fields makes the DAM system adaptable to diverse departmental requirements.
When the DAM system is accessible to multiple departments with department administrators managing access control, knowledge sharing becomes possible. The system serves as a powerful tool for preserving knowledge, facilitating easy search and retrieval of assets, and ensuring consistent access control. It becomes a central hub for efficient collaboration and information sharing across the organization.
The Crucial Role of Management and System Administrators in Driving DAM Success
To ensure the DAM initiative benefits the entire organisation, it is crucial for management to take the lead. By assigning a team of system administrators who understand the needs of end-users and can oversee the system’s functionality, the DAM system can be effectively utilised across all departments.
These system administrators play a vital role in promoting the use of DAM as an enterprise-wide tool. They can educate stakeholders about the system’s capabilities, encourage collaboration, and drive adoption. With management support and dedicated system administrators, the organisation can fully leverage the power of DAM, improving workflows, enhancing collaboration, and maximising the value of digital assets.
