Files are needed for countless processes in companies. But the challenge is finding the files you need. Digital management systems – DAM systems for short – help companies to put an end to the file clutter and to centrally store, enrich and play out digital assets. In our market overview, we have compared 31 digital asset management software providers based on 156 criteria. In this article you will get an overview of the different DAM providers.
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Digital Asset Management Software: Manage content in digital assets centrally
In many companies, a more complex file search has been an everyday occurrence up to now. Too many files, combined in one digital asset, meet rudimentary storage and management. In the worst case, digital content is lost in the file chaos. Or it can only be found with a highly resource-intensive search. No matter whether in marketing with content such as images, videos, brand logos, etc. or in other departments: This type of search inhibits productivity in any company. This makes it even more important for companies to store digital assets centrally, enrich them with metadata for better search and play them out.
A DAM or digital asset management system takes care of precisely this management of data and media, which are combined into digital assets. Digital asset management software takes care of this and other tasks. In addition to centralized storage, DAM software enriches the digital content in assets with metadata, converts content such as images and videos, tags digital assets, and much more. Want to know exactly what functions DAM systems perform in detail? Then read our whitepaper including a guide for the selection of digital asset management software.
Categories of the market overview:
- General information
- User interface languages
- Industry expertise of the DAM solution
- General functions of the DAM solution
- Scope of assets that can be managed
- Additional functions of the DAM solution
- Interfaces of the DAM solution to store systems
- Interfaces of the DAM solution to ERP systems
- Interfaces of the DAM solution to CMS systems
- Interfaces of the DAM solution to PIM systems
- Further interfaces of the DAM solution
- Legal criteria
- Additional services of the DAM provider
- Price approach of the DAM software
We compared these digital asset management software providers:
German and English standard languages
Companies that operate in multiple language regions need DAM systems that provide employees with different languages for the user interface. Only in this way can employees efficiently create and manage digital assets regardless of their location. Our comparison shows that almost all digital asset management software providers offer their user interfaces in German and English. A few DAM solutions also offer a variety of other languages for global teams.
DAM solutions for the most part equally suitable for many industries
Those who work in specific industries often need tools and systems that offer functions specifically for the needs of an industry. Digital assets, for example, can be very different in the construction industry – keyword CAD files – than in other business sectors. When looking at the industry specialization of the providers, we can see that the majority of providers offer digital asset management software that is used equally often in almost all industries. Only a few providers have a clear specialization in a few of the economic sectors surveyed.
Solid basic functions with all digital asset management software providers
Can digital assets be easily imported and exported? Can assets be classified and can keywords be assigned to digital assets? Can existing metadata be read out? Is there a user authorization system for different teams? And: Which files and assets can be managed via the DAM software? We considered these and more fundamental questions in the basic functions. Almost all providers deliver almost all features in terms of basic functions. Coverage of file types is also very well positioned. Advanced features vary more.
Managing digital assets also means being able to optimize and convert files and content such as videos and images, depending on requirements. For example, when content is delivered to different media. Advanced features such as an image or video editing tool can therefore be extremely relevant for companies. The same applies to workflow management. But the programming language can also play a role, for example, if users want to be able to link the DAM system with other systems or make adjustments themselves. We have considered all these possibilities and more in the advanced functions for digital asset management. Our comparison shows that the extended functions vary greatly from provider to provider. While a large number of providers have integrated more than half of the functions we asked about into their solution, other providers offer significantly fewer.
Extensive interface coverage with most DAM providers
Just as essential as the basic functions are interfaces to other common systems for users. Only this way can DAM systems fulfill their task of fully managing digital content. In our DAM comparison, we have taken into account common store systems, ERP systems, CMS software and some other relevant tools such as image databases. The majority of DAM providers provide interfaces for almost all of the tools and systems queried, so that teams in marketing and sales can easily manage content from common systems via the DAM software. Only a few providers only provide information on a few interfaces.
Legal criteria among providers
When it comes to legal stories such as server location and data processing, there is traditionally more skepticism. Mostly, a server location in Germany is desired. In addition, compliance with the GDPR is mandatory. In addition, there are questions about the order data agreement, documentation and protection against cybercrime. Users naturally want to be sure that their (often critical) files are managed securely and in compliance with the law. The majority of the providers compared have their servers located in Germany. A standard contract for the order data agreement is also available for most of them. Some providers even have certifications.
Additional services are offered extensively by almost all providers
Companies also tend to be more sensitive when it comes to additional services. This is understandable, especially when it comes to supporting and learning new systems. After all, employees should be able to use the tool or system properly. And in the case of a problem, someone should be available quickly so that business processes are not severely disrupted. The majority of the DAM providers in our comparison therefore provide companies with extensive additional services. From classroom or online training for users to 24-hour support and more. Particularly noteworthy: The response time is less than four hours for almost all providers.
Pricing: From a few hundred euros to five figures
Last but not least, there is always the question of costs. Here, the providers vary greatly. The price range extends from a few hundred euros to five figures per month. The costs depend, among other things, on the number of users, the number of assets, the modules and additional functions, and many other components. Fortunately, some providers offer free test versions. On average, the integration of DAM systems takes between three and twelve weeks before marketing and sales can take over the management of digital content.
