Although all DAM solutions are based on the same principles, there are wide disparities in the capabilities of each vendor's solution.

As a result, the benefits realised are dependent on the functionality, effectiveness and efficacy of the chosen solution. 

Potential customers of DAM are therefore strongly advised to ask suppliers how their solutions specifically answer the challenges outlined above. 

Benefits also vary depending on the type and size of solution but, in general terms, the benefits of DAM can be grouped as follows...

Improved accessibility

A DAM solution greatly enhances accessibility by storing all digital assets in a common data repository. 

This removes the problems associated with the storage of assets at disparate locations and on different media.

The inherent scalability of Picdar's DAM means that capacity can be added in line with the rise in volumes of digital assets. 

Similarly, multiple formats can be held in the same repository.

Using AMMOS, related digital assets of different formats are indexed and linked.  Hence, any digital asset (and its associated assets) can be found rapidly through a search facility.

By improving the accessibility of digital assets, AMMOS improves the efficiency of staff and, therefore, the efficiency of asset handling and workflow processes.

Reduced costs of media

Digitally stored assets can be viewed, transformed and dispatched on screen.  This reduces the need for hard copies.

Picdar's DAM solutions dramatically reduce the use of consumables such as paper, film and chemicals.  This also boosts the customer's ecological credentials.

AMMOS allows the customer to store assets on the most appropriate electronic media.  Regularly used assets, for example, can be held on fast disk systems whilst rarely used archived material can be stored on tape.

Enhanced manageability

With a DAM solution, digital assets can be added to the system automatically.  Each one has a set of control data which operates under a common indexing system.

As all digital assets are managed to the same rules, the manageability and the control of digital assets is significantly improved. 

This is especially beneficial for customers that experience a constant influx of new or amended digital assets.

Assured security

AMMOS ensures the security of digital assets at three levels: 

1.	Access to assets can be restricted by the use of passwords.  These are managed centrally which means that the owner of the assets can determine which companies or individuals have access to certain digital assets
2.	DAM gives the ability to embed a variety of visible and invisible digital watermarks in each asset.   This helps owners counteract the threat of copyright infringement.
3.	The customer can duplicate the primary DAM repository and create a back-up repository which is regularly updated.  In the event of a disaster, the customer simply switches to the secondary system with no loss of data and minimal disruption to the business

Exploiting e-commerce

DAM solutions are beneficial to organisations who need to provide access to digital assets internally (through PC or Mac clients, via LANs, WANs or corporate intranets) or externally via the Internet.

The search capabilities, the inherent scalability and the ability to integrate with other applications makes DAM ideally suited to e-commerce. 

With e-DAM, owners of digital assets can publish and sell their assets on the Web.  Similarly, manufacturers and retailers can publish whole product catalogues and provide the means for Web users to buy the products.  In both cases, the customer's market becomes potentially unlimited.

And finally, because we have all our assets together, you can address all of your publishing tasks from the same system. There is no longer any need to separate paper based and web based publishing! This helps maintain consistency, improve lead times and reduce costs.