The choice between cloud-based dam systems and in-house dam systems was not an issue before the emergence of cloud-based technology. The lower cost of storage and bandwidth was the main reason why in-house always made sense and the lack of features and capabilities of the SaaS dam model also made in-house offerings more compelling.
The cost of doing business is no longer the sole criterion when it comes to choosing a DAM solution. As the cost of cloud computing and storage has dropped, many organizations are now considering DAM SaaS as a viable alternative. With the increasing number of features and functionality offered by SaaS dam vendors, in-house solution providers are finding it harder to maintain their competitive advantage.
What’s the Difference?
Although SaaS dam is not replacing in-house solutions, many organizations still consider in-house to be the best option. In-house solutions are typically only focused on the organization’s infrastructure, security, and network. The client is also responsible for the support and purchase of various components of a data management system, including hardware, software, and database. Large files stored on your network will be managed more efficiently with in-house data management solutions.
In-house solutions typically have a wide range of customization options, and they can be customized to meet the needs of their clients. They can also be integrated with other systems to create complex workflows. In-house solutions are also commonly used as part of a major project, and they are amortized throughout the life of the contract.
A SaaS dam vendor uses a subscription-based model to manage the various elements of an organization’s assets, such as its database, hardware, and software. The SaaS DAM service provider allows the client to pay the appropriate amount and then receive the services they require, and it also provides them with the necessary configuration rights. The end-users will also create custom workflows to manage and distribute assets. As more and more software vendors start offering customizable user interfaces, they are willing to work with their customers to develop new features.
There’s a growing trend in hybrid DAM cloud solutions that combine the capabilities of in-house and on-demand software-as-a-service offerings. This approach allows organizations to manage their assets more effectively and efficiently. Hybrid cloud-based solutions involve collaboration between the client and vendor. The vendor provides the necessary hardware, software, security, and database for the cloud solution. On the other hand, the client provides the necessary resources for the in-house assets.
What’s the problem with SaaS DAM?
- Inadequate customizability of the included features: Due to the lack of customizable features in software-as-a-service offerings, large enterprises are unable to easily implement and manage their security requirements.
- Dependency on Internet connectivity: On-premise digital asset management (DAM) platforms allow employees to access large files over a LAN or a high-speed network. However, with Saas DAM offerings, accessing these files requires all users to go through the Internet. This is not ideal for large files such as videos and animations.
- Recovery and backup capabilities: SaaS DAM systems often provide built-in disaster recovery and backup capabilities, but these may not meet the requirements of the organization. This is usually because the vendor’s backup capabilities do not coincide with the policies of the organization.
- Integration of third-party services compatibility: Although SaaS DAM solutions may be able to integrate with certain applications and services, they might not be able to work seamlessly with the full ecosystem of the organization’s existing applications. Before implementing them, it’s important to make sure that the vendor provides a clear and easy-to-follow integration process.
What’s the problem with on-premise
- Costly implementation: The cost of implementing on-premise software can be high. In addition to hardware, your organization also needs to invest in various services such as storage, backup, and security.
- Limitation to accessibility: You and your employees are only able to use on-premise software if you are on the organization’s premises. Only those in the company that hosts it can use it, which makes it hard to share data with partners and clients.
- Custom security solutions: It is very time-consuming and complex to implement and manage custom security solutions in the organization. Your IT team should be prepared to handle the implementation of these technologies.
- Internal IT support: It is the company’s internal IT department responsibility to make repairs should anything go wrong, with no external support.
Why Use a Hybrid Model
A hybrid digital asset management system is a combination of on-premise and cloud platforms that enables end-users to manage their assets more effectively. It provides a single solution for both internal and external users. A hybrid solution is ideal when an organization wants to have complete control over where and how its assets are stored. But, it also needs to have the ability to distribute its assets globally and manage sensitive data.
If you have large files that are stored in your network, such as raw video and camera files, a cloud-based solution might not be the best option. Since you would have to quickly move these files across your various internal systems, a SaaS solution might not be feasible. If you have a requirement to share the final version of these files globally or across multiple platforms, then you should consider using a cloud-based SaaS DAM solution. This hybrid approach would allow you to get the most out of your investment.
Many companies started allowing employees to work from home in response to the pandemic. The trend toward hybrid arrangements is expected to continue as companies start adopting this type of flexible work solution. Due to the increasing number of creatives pushing for flexible work arrangements, many companies are experiencing difficulties when it comes to implementing hybrid work. This is why it is important to have the proper tools and resources to help manage the various challenges associated with this type of work. A good DAM system can help address various common issues associated with hybrid work.
Learning Opportunities
If you are new to the world of digital asset management systems, all this information will add more to your confusion. We have picked the articles below to help you expand your knowledge of digital asset management systems, what is it, how it works, why you need the system, and how the system will enhance your day-to-day tasks.
How Do They Compare?
| Areas of comparison | SaaS | On-Premise |
| Implementation Cost | Cheaper | More costly |
| Implementation Time | Shorter | Longer |
| Scalability | Easily scaling up or down to meet business needs. | Requires long-term planning and is not ideal for growing enterprises |
| Maintenance and Support | Require very little IT support and maintenance | Deployment and maintenance is the organization and internal IT department’s responsibility |
| Customization | Limited | Flexible |
| Upgrades | Easier and more iterative no need to involve IT staff members | Upgrades can be time-consuming and costly. It is the internal IT staff’s responsibility to plan, deploy, and validate upgrades |
| Security and Regulatory Compliance | Vendor takes care of the security and monitoring of the networks | Requires additional resources and time to implement and manage high-level security measures |
| User Training | Minimal | Intense training |
| End-to-End Support | All aspects of the system are the vendor’s responsibility, including the hardware, software, network connection, and server resources | Although the provider will likely give you technical support, they won’t provide the on-premises resources |
| Regulatory Compliance | Can be a little challenging to manage | You can implement various security measures and still have control over the data that you store |
What is the Right DAM Solution For Your Company?
Before you choose a digital asset storage system, it’s important that you think about the various factors that will affect its effectiveness. One of these is the ability to scale the system as the business grows. One of the most important factors that you should consider when it comes to choosing a DAM system is its flexibility, as it will be used by its users for different tasks. Having a cloud-based platform allows you to distribute all of your digital assets online, which is very beneficial to the modern workplace.
Although there are many advantages to using a cloud-based platform, it’s also important to consider the requirements of different organizations. For instance, if your company is not ready to adopt the cloud, then an on-premises solution might be the best option.
It may take some time to find the answer to your question. Doing your homework and understanding the requirements will help you arrive at the right conclusion. The following questions might guide you toward your decision:
- Before you start working on the DAM, it’s important that you have the necessary resources to support it. An example is, what is your current monthly bandwidth usage?
- Are the files stored in the DAM used locally or globally? Also, are you able to provide both internal and external redundancy for the system?
- Are you looking for a customizable solution that can be seamlessly integrated with existing systems or are you planning on implementing a completely new approach to managing your files?
Understanding the various requirements of your organization will help you make an informed choice. Having a good understanding of the cost of ownership and the resources of your company will allow you to choose the best possible solution.
With a wide variety of options for on-premises or SaaS DAM, Picvario can meet your needs. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you manage your content, contact one of our experts.
