How can you find the best cloud-based platforms for organizing and accessing your digital assets?

In today's digital age, managing your digital assets efficiently is crucial for business operations. Cloud-based platforms offer a solution for organizing and accessing these assets, but finding the right one can be daunting. You need a platform that not only stores your data but also allows for easy retrieval and management. This article will guide you through the process of identifying the best cloud-based solutions for your digital asset needs.

1 Assess Needs

Before diving into the multitude of cloud-based platforms, you must first understand your specific needs. Consider the types of digital assets you handle, such as documents, images, or videos, and think about how you use them. Do you need a platform that excels in collaboration, or is security your top priority? Maybe scalability is critical as your business grows. By pinpointing your requirements, you can narrow down the platforms that cater specifically to your operational needs.

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Sam Dougan

Production Manager, Red Bull Account, Creation Group.
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Doing an overhaul of your content is a big task, but understanding where everything lives currently will help you understand how to move it from A to B later.

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2 Research Options

Once you know what you need, start researching the available cloud-based platforms. Look for platforms that specialize in digital asset management and compare their features. Focus on user interface, storage capacity, file support, and collaboration tools. Read reviews from other users and see how they rate their experience, particularly in areas that align with your needs. This research will help you create a shortlist of potential platforms that seem to align well with your digital asset management goals.

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Florian Delille
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Most organizations will go through multiple DAMs before they find the right solution.. In most case that’s because they only look at their immediate needs but don’t think about future uses cases or include other departments in their evaluation process. That’s why organizations tend to have multiple DAMs solutions, used by different teams or geographies for similar use cases, before they decide to consolidate them into one platform. So look at today and tomorrow and confirm what vendors share by doing customer testimonials.

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Sam Dougan

Production Manager, Red Bull Account, Creation Group.
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Research yes, but test more. The quicker you can understand what works for you.. the better! By getting hands-on experience with as many platforms as possible will help in the long run instead of sitting on endless sales calls talking about features - ask to use the solution !

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3 Evaluate Security

Security is paramount when selecting a cloud-based platform for your digital assets. You want to ensure that the platform has robust security measures in place to protect your data from unauthorized access and cyber threats. Look for platforms with strong encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security audits. Also, consider the platform's compliance with industry standards and regulations, which can be crucial depending on your field of work.

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4 Check Integration

Integration capabilities are a key factor in choosing a cloud-based platform. Your chosen platform should seamlessly integrate with other tools and systems you use in your business operations. This includes compatibility with software for customer relationship management (CRM), project management, and other productivity tools. A platform that integrates well will streamline your workflow and prevent the need for manual data transfers, saving you time and reducing the risk of errors.

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Sam Dougan

Production Manager, Red Bull Account, Creation Group.
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You should have a really good overview of what kind of features and integrations you need. This will help you to make your final decision about which platform you need. Mainly focussed on marketing? Pick a platform that integrates natively into your CRM and CMS. Want endless creative options? Pick one that has a partnership with Adobe or similar. Want to ensure you're ahead of the AI game, pick one that is built on the next generation of AI. Want speed? More efficient distribution? Pick one built for it.

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5 Consider Support

When you encounter issues or have questions about your cloud-based platform, having access to reliable customer support is essential. Examine the support options provided by each platform. This includes the availability of support staff, the responsiveness of the helpdesk, and the quality of self-help resources such as tutorials and community forums. A platform with strong customer support can greatly enhance your user experience and ensure smooth operations.

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Sam Dougan

Production Manager, Red Bull Account, Creation Group.
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Depending on your knowledge and skills in the area, you might need Customer Support or Success Managers, however, you may not... It's a great question to ask in calls, but as the DAM manager, you should have strong experience in the area.

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6 Test Drive

Finally, take advantage of free trials or demonstrations offered by cloud-based platforms. This hands-on approach allows you to test the functionality and ease of use of the platform with your own digital assets. During the trial period, pay attention to how well the platform performs in real-world scenarios and whether it meets your expectations. This firsthand experience is invaluable in making an informed decision about which cloud-based platform is the best fit for your digital asset management needs.

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Sam Dougan

Production Manager, Red Bull Account, Creation Group.
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Depending on your budget of course... but get the partners to give you free versions of the paid solutions. This way you'll really learn and understand what is available to you.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you find the best cloud-based platforms for organizing and accessing your digital assets?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Assess Needs

2 Research Options

3 Evaluate Security

4 Check Integration

5 Consider Support

6 Test Drive

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Operations

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How can you find the best cloud-based platforms for organizing and accessing your digital assets?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess Needs

2 Research Options

3 Evaluate Security

4 Check Integration

5 Consider Support

6 Test Drive

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Operations

Rate this article

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