Which DAM tool to use?

[mike_hill2107]

Hi,

I am currently looking for a 'DAM' tool for a large corporate company in Australia. I have been browsing around looking at different 'DAM' tools and I was wondering if anyone can give me advice on what is meant to be good considering my requirements.

In brief I have the following requirements:
  - Needs to be able to manage all files types as we are looking to have a library of a wide range of documents and images.
  - Needs to be able to cope with large volumes of files.
  - We are leaning toward web-based but software based is not out of the question.
  - Needs to be secure
  - Need a decent level of product support
  - Need a stable, healthy company that has the resources to stay technically up-to-date as having to change product could require a large amount of work due to the volume of docuemnts being managed.
  - Comprehensive search tool to sort through the files effectively.

What products are would be worth looking at considering my requirements?

Thanks

[johnbeardy]

Mike

Where in Oz are you based? Maybe give Robert Edwards a call?

John

ps Moderator hat on. Please sign off your posts - it's a forum rule and keeps the place nice and professional

[mike_hill2107]

Hi John,

We're based in Sydney. What company does Robert Edwards work for? I wouldn't mind checking out his products online before calling him.

Thanks,
Mike Hill

[mike_hill2107]

It would be great if any one had any knowledge on what is meant to be good and what isn't as I have little industry knowledge about who is leading the way.

I have found some products that look suitable. At the moment we are looking at the following products (Enterprise editions):
  - Piction
  - Getty Images
  - FileSphere
  - SAVVIS WAM!NET
  - CELUM Imagine
  - Alfresco

These are the basic requirements of the business.
•  Advanced search features
•  Ability to categorise images
•  Centralised database
•  Ability to store all files
•  Upload new images to library in single and batch.‎
•  Edit Meta info- with confirmation popup
•  Categorise images according to Type, Channel, Source, Size, Resolution, ‎Ownership rights, Where image appears: ‎
•  Ability to search images according to above categories
•  Ability to send files to other users (via email)
•  Maintain database internally
•  View a thumbnail preview of the relevant image‎
•  Possible Lotus Notes integration (but not essential) 
•  Audit trail

Does any one have any opinions or preferences on the products above?

Also how does Alfresco compare to some of the prodcuts above? Alfreso seems like a much cheaper alternative but generally how does it compare?

Any input would be great.

Thanks,
Mike Hill

[ScottBuckel]

Mike -

Robert Edwards sometime frequents this forum, his website is http://www.damsimple.com/ I think he is in Sydney as well.

Scott

[johnbeardy]

I must say that I didn't know any of these programs. They all seems to be content management systems rather than DAM tools with a photographic emphasis. Maybe you should look at programs like Extensis Portfolio, Canto Cumulus, and Fotostation?

John