Drowning in Data?

Are you a creative professional struggling to locate and share your digital images? Are you concerned about how secure those images are now and in the long term? Over the last decade photographers, designers, photo agencies, and architects have amassed terabytes of valuable digital assets. IDT estimates together we will be managing 988 million terabytes of data by 2010. Are you ready? DAMsimple can analyse your current DAM setup, recommend the most effective way to streamline your system using the best products, then tailor a training package to make your work flow now and in the future.

What is DAM?

DAM (Digital Asset Management) is what you do with your digital images after you've captured them.

DAM is a term used to describe the practise of handling digital files including digital images. It covers many aspects including file management (file naming, folder structure, RAW file conversion, etc), hardware (computer, storage medium, etc), software (image browser, cataloguing), and methodology (workflow, captioning, etc). There are right and wrong ways to do this. The wrong way will cost you money in lost time and revenue. The right way will increase the your earnings from your existing images. Future-proof your investment today.

Why Simple?

Digital Asset Management can be confusing. We make DAM simple.

DAM need not impede your workflow; in fact it will make your workflow more efficient and secure. Once setup correctly DAM can even work automatically in the background with minimum user intervention. Where DAM really pays dividends is when you need to find an image and actually get a hold of it. DAM can ensure other people know all they need to about your images; copyright, usage, how to contact you, who/what/where of the image, and more.

DAM is Cost Effective

Research by GISTICS* shows return on investment (ROI) for proper DAM implementation can be 8:1 to 14:1. These returns come from less time spent looking for files, re-purposing current images, reducing the need to re-photograph the same images, and faster turnaround for jobs. The average creative person spends 10% of their time searching for files and 35% of the time failing to find them. With proper DAM this time is reduced to only 5%. DAM also ensures both a consistent and efficient workflow.

*Moon, M. and Warwick, J. (2004) Business Case for Marketing Content Repositories in the Enterprise, GISTICS Incorporated, Oakland.

DAMsimple

DAMsimple was established by Robert Edwards as a resource for photographers and other creative professionals seeking information on managing their digital assets. Robert is a qualified photographer (BFA Photography), trainer (CERT IV Training & Assessment), writer and member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography. Having presented several hundred workshops and one-on-one consultations he has decades of practical experience. Robert is proud to be instrumental in establishing digital standards for the photographic industry as chief author of the Australian Digital Imaging Guidelines and contributor to the Universal Digital Imaging Guidelines.

DAMsimple are networked to other leaders in DAM workflow. Together we provide unparalleled experience across the globe. We have access to engineers worldwide who can customise your DAM experience to meet your needs. DAMsimple consult as independent alpha testers to the world's largest software companies including Microsoft and Adobe. Alpha testers are those few individuals who vendors see as industry pundits that know the market and steer its future direction. As such we offer unique insight into what the industry is doing now and tomorrow which will save you investing in the wrong solutions.

Start Today

The key to DAM is to start right now. Stop putting off that first step - the sooner you begin the easier and more cost effective it is. Contact us now for a free consultation and let us show you how to better organise your digital images and ensure the longevity of your work. DAMsimple has already helped photographers, Government departments, designers, photo libraries, photo agencies and architectural firms implement solid DAM strategies.

What others are saying...

 

Peter Krogh, Photographer, author The DAM Book:
"I've worked with Robert on a number of projects over the last five years, ranging from international standards efforts, to advising software companies, to helping photographers and photo users understand how to manage their image collections. In all of these efforts, Robert has been one of the most knowledgeable and reliable colleagues I've ever worked with. Robert brings a bird's-eye-view of the whole technical landscape together with solid experience as a photographer, collection manager, and industry visionary. He is that rare person who understands this subject on many levels, and follows through with dedication and integrity."

 

 

 

R. Ian Lloyd, Stock Library owner and international photographer:
"In life you can count on death, taxes and losing digital images. Unlike death and taxes though, you can make sure your digital photos are protected by implementing a system of Digital Asset Management (DAM).... and Robert Edwards is the guru to get you set up. He's a photographer, teacher and fixer who knows all the ins and outs of DAM software on PCs and Macs. He even advises software developers on what features they need. But most importantly to you and I, he can explain everything in plain English. I run a large photo library and work for international clients like National Geographic and Fortune and Robert is THE man I turn to when I need to know what's what."

 

 

 

 

Michael Coyne, Internationally awarded documentary photographer:
"Thank you for your advice and help with the Dam Workflow. Your patience and clear explanations were of great value."

 

 

 

 

Kevin Bier, Microsoft Expression Group Manager:
"Robert is both well-known and skilled in DAM, especially for photography. I know him best for his knowledge and insights around iView MediaPro and Expression Media. His insights and experience have been helpful to me as I've charted xMedia's future."

 

 

 

Winston Hendrickson, Adobe Sr. Director Engineering, Digital Imaging:
"Robert Edwards' blend of digital asset management technology knowledge with the experience of a pro photographer has provided me with valuable insights into customer needs around managing assets."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stewart Wallace, Project Manager, Dictionary of Sydney:
"The Dictionary of Sydney is a digital resource of text, multimedia and maps covering all aspects of Sydney's history. The project to setup the Dictionary has involved sourcing and managing many thousands of multimedia items and a migration through various digital asset management systems. DAMsimple's experience, industry contacts and vendor-independent advice have been a great help in helping us with this aspect of the project."

 

Peter Eastway, Award winning photographer, Publisher Better Photography and Better Photoshop Techniques magazines:
"It's funny how some people are reliable, thoughtful and give a damn about things in the world. Robert Edwards is one of those people. A busy professional photographer with a full calendar, he still finds time to give back to his industry in many ways. One area he has taken on board is digital asset management. It's the type of subject most photographers fear as much as bookkeeping, yet Robert has a knack of demystifying the technology and putting you on the right track. His knowledge of DAM and photography is world class and if there's one person who will never be phased by a hard disk crash, it's Robert Edwards."

 

 

Chris Shain, Photographer, industry speaker and lecturer on small business & copyright issues:
"Robert is in the unique position of being a very experienced photographer, along with having great technical knowledge, experience and passion for DAM - he definitely understands the day to day problems that freelance, independent photographers have keeping the crucial and never ending digital work flow up to date, along with the myriad of other issues that occupy the days activities. Along with all that has great professional attitude - he's one of the most approachable people you could work with in the photo business."

 

 

Philip Andrews, Photographer & author of over a dozen Photoshop books:
"Robert Edwards is DAM good at what he does! That is, bring order to the chaos that we often mistake for organisation of our image files.

Great Digital Asset Management is not a luxury, it is essential for all working photographers who want to spend more time shooting and less time searching. Robert Edwards takes the PAIN out of DAM."