In the digital age, many businesses find themselves in need of digital asset management software to keep track of a large volume of digital files and records. Digital asset management software isn't just for companies that actively work with digital images, videos or sound recordings. Because many companies use digital images to produce advertisements, corporate logos, websites and promotional marketing, digital asset management, or DAM, is of interest to different types and sizes of companies.

Digital management software advice and ratings can help you determine the differences among DAM programs and their functions, and enable you to choose the type of software that is right for your company or organization. Ratings and reviews give you some insight into how digital asset management software works and why it is used in various industries.

When searching for digital management software advice and ratings, consider the following options:

1. Get recommendations on digital asset management software types and how to choose programs.
2. Read product comparisons to see how digital asset management software programs measure up.
3. Get advice for the industry's top picks in digital asset management.
   

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Read product reviews that distinguish among digital asset management software types

Different types of digital asset management software exist for storing and manipulating images in different ways. Two main varieties of DAM software include browsing and cataloging software. They differ according to whether or not digital files are kept in a single database. Digital asset management software should be distinguished from file organizing software, which may not have all of the same features.

I recommend: Microsoft provides recommendations for distinguishing between browsing and cataloging digital asset management software. The DAM Forum offers discussions on this topic and others, along with books and other resources. Organize Pictures explains the utility of digital asset management software in relation to programs that only organize files.

Compare digital asset management software programs on the features you need

Comparing products side-by-side is another way to determine which digital asset management software program is the best choice for your business. Comparison charts for DAM software offer product descriptions for different software programs, as well as a breakdown of features and utilities and costs for each, plus detailed reviews where available.

I recommend: ImpulseAdventure provides a comparison chart for a number of leading digital asset management software programs. Cornell University offers a list of top programs used in their School of Architecture and Art Planning.

Find the top choices for digital asset management software

Digital asset management software reflects constantly changing trends in technology both in software and digital image technology. This fast pace of change requires users to look at best practices for this software to decide which programs offer leading advances in the field, and which can best accommodate the most up-to-date digital technologies.

I recommend: Palgrave Macmillan offers a list of the top programs in digital asset management software. Signiant provides digital asset management software advice and ratings, highlighting best practices of the companies that create DAM solutions.

Digital asset management software allows business owners to create a centralized location in which to store, catalog and retrieve its company’s digital videos, photographs, audio files and other digital assets. Creating a centralized digital asset storage location will help you increase business revenue by effectively selling and marketing your products and services.

Digital asset management software allows business owners to create a centralized location in which to store, catalog and retrieve its company’s digital videos, photographs, audio files and other digital assets. Creating a centralized digital asset storage location will help you increase business revenue by effectively sell and market your products and services.

1. Digital asset management software centralizes current processes of managing and distributing digital assets.

2. With digital asset management software, business owners can store and retrieve digital data from a secure location.

3. Digital asset management software offers cost-effective solutions by time spent cataloging and storing digital files.

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Manage digital files effectively with digital asset management software

The basic function of digital asset management software is to create a centralized location to house digital assets. However, many digital asset management software providers also offer additional service features including assistance with publishing and marketing your company's web-based gallery of digital files.

I recommend: ImageFolio is a server-based gallery designed to securely house all types of digital assets including audio, video and photo files. This company offers extensive digital asset management software information and automated solutions for publishing, sharing and marketing digital files via the Internet. With FileMaker you can catalog your products and create digital asset libraries for easy management and maintenance.

Store files securely using digital asset management software

Digital asset management software focuses on a business owner's storage needs as related to audio, video and photo files. This software offers solutions for securely archiving, maintaining, downloading, exporting and retrieving all types of digital files.

I recommend: North Plains is a digital asset management software provider that focuses on offering secure solutions to help streamline your data asset tracking process and store data in one centralized location. Artesia offers businesses a full digital asset management software list of benefits including cost-effective, secure, asset licensing and data distribution solutions.

Find a digital asset management software provider

Digital asset management software can save you a great deal of money if you purchase software options that will work best for your company. Find digital asset management software that will work best for your computer system and budget by compare prices and features of several different digital management software providers before making a final purchasing decision.

I recommend: Get thorough digital asset management software information from QuickSquare and benefit from the company’s extensive list of digital asset management software services. You can request a demo of the ClearStory award-winning digital asset management software by visiting the company's website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Using digital asset management software can help considerably decrease the number of hours employees will need to spend on cataloging and storing digital assets, thus improving productivity. Be sure to choose digital asset management software that is easy to use and install to ensure you benefit from this advantage.

Digital asset management software is a software suite that helps organizations download, name, centralize, archive, and store animation, video, music and digital pictures. Working with Digital asset management software is realitively simple depending upon the task at hand and the chosen software suite. The asset, or media form, is in a large form and needs to be made into a small, digital format. Such formats can save an organization thousands of dollars annually as the cost of storage for paper and other non-digital formats are costly. Non-digital formats are also more difficult to file, as there are many entities. Digital asset management software resolves this issue by allowing the user to create an easy-to-use naming system.

There are three main types of digital asset management software suites: Brand asset system software suites for sales and marketing data; digital asset management software is library-based for video, microfiche and catalog filing; and production, mainly used for storage for records. Like many organizations, you may want to:

1. Find out what digital asset management software is.

2. Find out how to use digital management software to centralize files.

3. Learn about digital asset management software applications.

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Find out what digital asset management software is

Digital asset management software is usually straight-forward to use. However, having a step-by-step manual is often helpful in the beginning.

I recommend: Canto has a basics primer on digital asset management software and also allows for a free trial download with tutorials and instruction manuals to use as guides. The Information Management Institute also has a chapter text primer on the basics of digital asset maangement software.

Find out how to use digital asset management software to centralize files

Learning how to use a standard digital asset management software suite can be simple once the basics are understood. Many sources provide user manuals and guides on the basics of digital asset management software and how it works.

I recommend: ImageFolio presents a sample of how digital asset management software suite can centralize a storefront. Asset Management Software System provides a historical overview of digital asset management systems and a brief guide on how they work.

Learn more about digital asset management software applications

There is only a handful of places that have comprehensive information about digital asset management software. Working with digital asset management software can be daunting. However, finding solid background information about these software suites is essential in order to help make good decisions.

I recommend: Cognizant has a white paper that serves as the industry primer on digital asset management software. The article entitled "Current practices in digital asset management" from the Performance Archive and Retrieval Working Group is also another proven industry primer on the topic.

Digital asset management software, or DAM software, allows companies to set up a central storage area for all types of media. A DAM program can categorize and index all types of media including audio files, videos, webinars and images. When shopping for digital asset management software, it is very important to understand the details of the software you are buying. Learning digital asset management software key terms helps you find the software with all the features you need.

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Bi-directional link

A bi-directional link offers transfers in both directions. This means you can send and download data to the DAM software at the same time.

I recommend: Read more about bi-directional links at Answers. TheFreeDictionary also provides information about bi-directional links.

IPTC

IPTC, or International Press Telecommunications Council, is an international news organization that examines and a proves news stories to ensure integrity and quality.

I recommend: IDigitalPhoto supplies information about the IPTC. Visit the International Press Telecommunications Council to learn about the policies and procedures of the IPTC.

Browser-based

Browser-based and web-based are terms that refer to software used on an Internet browser. Web-based programs are normally less expensive than traditional programs and use servers instead of hard drives to store data. To use a browser-based program the user must have an Internet connection and log in to the web software.

I recommend: Visit Websystems to learn more about browser-based software. 37signals also provides information about web-based programs.

GUI

GUI, pronounced goo-ey, stands for graphic user interface. It is a computer interface that allows users to communicate to a program by way of menus, user-friendly buttons and tool bars.

I recommend: TechTarget supplies information about graphic user interfaces. Indiana University provides detailed guides to understanding GUI.

Metadata

Metadata are text descriptions that are embedded into images and other files. These descriptions are used for search purposes. Metadata files may be imported with IPTC or XMP formats.

I recommend: The Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center offers information about metadata. WordPress also provides information about metadata.

Configurable options

Configurable options are available to companies and users who want to set up software with specific features. With configurable options, you can choose exactly what features you do and do not need to install. This is a major cost and time saver for those who only use a few features.

I recommend: Understand configurable options better with information from Quick Square Consulting. Vibrate Software also supplies details about configurable software.