In today’s digital landscape, efficient content management is vital for organizations to thrive. At Kiefer, we are proponents of SharePoint, a powerful Enterprise Content Management (ECM) platform, which offers a wide range of features for document management, collaboration, and workflow automation. However, it’s important to recognize that SharePoint may not meet all content and digital asset management needs.
To bridge this gap, organizations can harness the power of integration by connecting specialized Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems with Microsoft 365. This integration enables organizations to unleash greater potential and extend a unified content management strategy across multiple systems. In this blog post, we explore the value of integrating DAM systems with SharePoint, introduce top contenders for seamless integration, and delve into the integration of Microsoft 365 Records Management labels for enhanced governance and compliance.
Unlocking the Power of SharePoint as an ECM Platform
SharePoint has earned its reputation as a go-to ECM platform, empowering organizations with its robust document management, collaboration, and workflow automation capabilities. It excels in content creation, storage, and organization, with advanced search functionalities and version control that facilitate seamless access and collaboration. SharePoint’s workflow automation tools streamline business processes, boosting operational efficiency. However, it’s important to acknowledge that SharePoint’s strengths may not cover all content types or industries. While we have been able to successfully leverage SharePoint to effectively manage digital assets, we have also recognized that depending on the use case, it may be better to leverage a specialized system for DAM.
Recognizing the Need for Specialized DAM Systems
Recently, our team of principal consultants at Kiefer met to discuss when SharePoint is the right (or wrong) solution for managing certain content types, such as images, videos, or multimedia assets. There are instances in which clients might require specialized DAM systems to effectively manage certain digital assets. Some DAM systems provide organizations with tailored features and functionality designed to cater to industry-specific requirements. Integrating specialized DAM systems with Microsoft 365 enables organizations to leverage the unique strengths of both platforms, resulting in seamless user experiences and efficient content management.
Integrating DAM Systems with Microsoft 365: Combining the Best of Both Worlds
If an organization’s DAM system can be integrated with Microsoft 365, the organization can take advantage of Microsoft 365’s Records Management functionality. This is an important feature if the organization requires the application of retention and disposition labels to digital assets. Microsoft’s industry-leading records management capabilities help to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and promote proper governance.
Let’s explore a few top contenders for DAM system integration with Microsoft 365:
Adobe Experience Manager Assets (AEM)
AEM is renowned for its comprehensive metadata management, asset versioning, and rights management capabilities. By integrating AEM with Microsoft 365, organizations can seamlessly collaborate on documents, harnessing SharePoint’s collaboration and workflow features while benefiting from AEM’s robust asset management capabilities. Moreover, AEM supports integration with Microsoft 365 Records Management labels, facilitating compliance and proper asset lifecycle management.
Widen Collective
Widen Collective offers extensive asset management capabilities in a user-friendly interface. Integration with Microsoft 365 ensures consistent access to assets, streamlining collaboration, content sharing, and seamless publishing across various channels.
Bynder
Bynder’s feature-rich DAM solution provides centralized control over digital assets. Integration with Microsoft 365 empowers users to access and manage assets stored in Bynder directly from SharePoint. This integration enhances collaboration, version control, and content distribution across teams and departments. Additionally, Bynder integrates with Microsoft 365 Compliance Center, enabling organizations to apply retention labels for proper asset management according to Microsoft 365’s retention and disposition policies.
Aprimo DAM
Aprimo DAM enables content lifecycle management, collaboration, and rights management at scale. Integration with Microsoft 365 allows organizations to leverage Aprimo’s capabilities while benefiting from SharePoint’s document management and collaboration features. Similar to Bynder, Aprimo DAM seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 Compliance Center, ensuring proper Records Management and facilitating compliance with retention and disposition policies.
MediaValet
MediaValet simplifies the storage, organization, and distribution of digital assets. Integrating MediaValet with Microsoft 365 enables seamless access and collaboration on assets stored in MediaValet directly from SharePoint. This integration enhances content management efficiency and streamlines workflows.
Integrating specialized DAM systems with SharePoint and Microsoft 365 opens up new possibilities for organizations to streamline content management, collaboration, and workflow automation. By leveraging the strengths of both platforms and harnessing the power of Microsoft 365 Records Management, organizations can ensure compliance, enhance governance, and drive productivity. When considering integration options, it’s crucial to evaluate your organization’s specific needs and consult with experts to determine the best DAM system and integration approach. With Kiefer Consulting’s consultative approach, focus on outcomes, and desired results, you can implement solutions that align with your unique content management goals and drive success.