If your business relies on electronic resources — such as digital photographs, graphic art, audio clips, digital video segments, or even data files — your business has digital assets. No matter the size of your company or the type of business you perform, if you need these files to fulfil a service or deliver a product, they’re crucial to the success of your business. From design firms to manufacturers, access to this collateral can make a vital difference to a company’s overall Return on Investment (ROI).

Why is access to these files so important? Because data is only an asset if it can be found and used effectively. Your company may keep an extensive archive of digital photography, for example, but if those pictures can’t be reused efficiently, the value of the images remains low. The more accessible and reusable a file, the greater the ROI will be. This is the fundamental objective behind Digital Asset Management (DAM) — to increase the value of your company’s collateral by improving the process of creation, storage, management and accessibility.

Due to increased acknowledgment across many industries of the importance of efficient asset management, there’s a vast array of DAM software from which to choose, and Apple offers hardware that’s essential to implementing these applications. To get a proper assessment of your company’s DAM needs, and to build a state-of-the-art system, find a member of the Apple Solution Experts programme in your area to assist you. Members are certified in Apple technologies and bring related experience that can help your company develop a customised solution.

Your business may require a large amount of digital assets that necessitate effective archiving and management. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you have a large staff or the resources to focus on developing the best Digital Asset Management solution. Don’t let a busy schedule keep you from realising the full potential of your assets. Hire an Apple Solution Expert to help.

Through the Apple Solution Experts programme, you can locate a consultant with the expertise you require to fulfil your objectives. Members can assess your current workflow, plan a budget and implement the appropriate DAM infrastructure. By hiring an Apple Solution Expert, you ensure that you have the best solution, developed and deployed by an expert — without hiring additional full time staff or overextending your IT administrator (if you even have one).

Step 1: Determine your needs, requirements and budget
The first step to a successful solution is to understand your current practices. What kinds of digital assets does your company utilise? How much storage space will you need to grow? How are your archived materials being used? Are people within your company able to share and collaborate on stored files? Is your business taking full advantage of your valuable collateral by repurposing data and designs for other projects?

A member of the Apple Solution Expert programme can evaluate your Digital Asset Management process and infrastructure, and pinpoint where improvements can be made. In addition, members can help establish a schedule, budget, and strategy for implementing a new DAM system — based on the way your staff works together and your most critical business functions. Consultants are experienced in working within your budget to create a customised solution that fits your needs, increasing efficiency without hindering productivity.

Step 2: Choose the elements of your solution
Once you have outlined your needs and budget, you can determine the elements of your solution. You may require a more ‘hands-off’ Digital Asset Management system that stores your files off-site, and makes them accessible to you and your staff over the Internet. Online solutions like Image Portal X by NetExposure and MediaBeacon are used and managed through standard Web browsers.

However, your goals may be better achieved through a more robust feature set, including personalised attributes like automated workflow, keyword search, and cataloguing. These requirements may entail implementing an in-house DAM system, such as an Apple Xserve running Mac OS X Server, and dedicated software such as Portfolio Server by Extensis or Canto Cumulus.

No matter what your needs, it’s vital to have an expert on-hand to help you make the appropriate choices for your future. Members of the Apple Solution Experts programme can assist with as much or as little of the planning and implementation as you like. No matter what the terms of your relationship, a consultant’s specialised knowledge will certainly be an invaluable asset to your team.

Step 3: Implement your solution
With tactics and schedule firmly in place, it’s now time to implement your DAM system. For some, this may mean installing new hardware or upgrading from an older server. For others, additional storage space, such as an Xserve RAID, may be required to house a large collection of digital assets, with plenty of room to grow. Your desktop computers will also need to be networked, or have access to your outsourced DAM application, to provide easy access to your stored collateral.

With all of these changes affecting your company’s technical infrastructure, you need to be sure that these farsighted improvements don’t impede your daily production. Having an expert to ensure that your business continues to run smoothly while your new DAM system is implemented can make all the difference. Whether it’s running cables, installing software, or explaining workflow, members of the Apple Solution Experts programme can provide expert assistance.

Step 4: Obtain ongoing support and maintenance
Just as your DAM system will increase the ROI of your digital assets, hiring a consultant to assist with your Digital Asset Management system can increase the return on your technical investment. But your relationship with a member of the Apple Solution Experts programme doesn’t have to end once your solution is in place.

Members of the Apple Solution Experts programme can also provide training, enabling you to get the most out of your technology investment. And as your company grows, so will your back-end infrastructure. The relationship with your consultant can be ongoing. Contact them about upgrades and future enhancements, or for maintenance and support. There’s nothing better than working with a dedicated specialist who’s familiar with your company and who understands your particular needs. That’s the true value of the Apple Solution Experts programme — customised solutions from Apple experts who know your business.