![](https://acquia.widen.net/content/gzsotgdl7y/web/Blog%20Graphic-Digital%20Asset%20Management-The%20Benefits%20of%20Cloud%20Digital%20Asset%20Management.svg?h=200&itok=F-UUz6_h) Image ![Nate Holmes Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/post_content_attribution_headshot/public/media/image/2024-03/Holmes.png?h=1e66e246&itok=9hA39sCR) [Nate Holmes](/about-us/team/nate-holmes) Sr. Manager, Product Marketing Marketing Acquia ## Collection [Digital Asset Management](/blog/series/digital-asset-management) Digital Asset Management # The Benefits of Cloud Digital Asset Management November 15, 2023 4 minute read [Share this blog post on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.acquia.com/markdownify/node/41736) [Share this blog post on Twitter ]() [Share this blog post via Email ]() What's the advantage of a cloud digital asset management (DAM) solution? Find out how you and your business can benefit from a cloud-based DAM system. ![](https://acquia.widen.net/content/gzsotgdl7y/web/Blog%20Graphic-Digital%20Asset%20Management-The%20Benefits%20of%20Cloud%20Digital%20Asset%20Management.svg?h=200&itok=F-UUz6_h) ## Collection : [Digital Asset Management](/blog/series/digital-asset-management) Back in 2011 when we first published this article, referencing “the cloud” still felt fresh and cutting edge. Almost a decade later, cloud-based solutions are standard for collaboration, communication, project management, and many other business needs. [Digital asset management (DAM)](https://www.acquia.com/blog/digital-asset-management) is no exception. The very nature of DAM – management, organization, and distribution of digital assets from a central content hub – is a perfect match for the cloud. Businesses rely on content that comes in many forms and has countless sources and destinations. To facilitate that flow of information, you need a scalable, secure, and cost-effective system. In this article, we’ll define cloud DAM and the advantages it offers. ## **What is a cloud DAM system?** A **cloud DAM** (or cloud-based DAM) system refers to a digital asset management solution that is hosted on a network of remote servers and accessed through a web browser. With software, storage, and analytics available through the internet, teams can securely access the system from a laptop, tablet, or phone from wherever they’re located. ## **Advantages of a cloud-based DAM system** Cloud-based DAM systems offer many advantages related to cost, speed, global scale, accessibility, and distribution. ### **Cost-effective storage** Cloud-based DAM systems eliminate the need for purchasing, setting up, and maintaining hardware and software on-site. As businesses increasingly rely on video, image, and audio content to communicate their brand messages, so does the amount of storage required. The cloud allows you to grow your storage and user base easily. Through a software as a service (SaaS) model, you’ll always have access to the latest versions of your [DAM software](https://www.acquia.com/blog/digital-asset-management). ### **Grows with your business** Support business growth across multiple regions around the world using a cloud-based DAM system. Leveraging a global infrastructure, you’re able to upload and download content quickly, reliably, and securely. This helps your global and regional teams collaborate more effectively with the digital assets that represent your brand. [![Watch How Acquia DAM enables Johnsonville's global operations on YouTube.](//i.ytimg.com/vi/duSjLg_fip4/sddefault.jpg)](https://youtu.be/duSjLg_fip4 "Watch How Acquia DAM enables Johnsonville's global operations on YouTube.") Kelly Owen from Johnsonville shares how they securely manage digital assets around the world. ### **Delivers assets to where you publish them** Using a content delivery network (CDN), digital assets are delivered to websites, APIs, and other locations outside of the DAM system. This allows your teams to embed an asset in multiple places while maintaining that central source of truth in the DAM system. Any updates to the asset in the DAM solution are reflected wherever the embed code is published. [![Watch How Acquia DAM enables Hootsuite's content marketing and embedding on YouTube.](//i.ytimg.com/vi/CBF74jdA1O8/sddefault.jpg)](https://youtu.be/CBF74jdA1O8 "Watch How Acquia DAM enables Hootsuite's content marketing and embedding on YouTube.") Hootsuite streamlines workflows by delivering content to their web content management (WCM) system directly from Acquia DAM (Widen).### **Supports distributed teams and remote work** Since the DAM system is accessible via the web, teams have access to the files they need to do their job wherever they have access to the internet. Sales teams can access collateral in the field, designers can create in their quiet space, and marketers can publish on the go. [![Watch How Acquia DAM enable's Hootsuite's global operations on YouTube.](//i.ytimg.com/vi/ub0qlYFGfg4/sddefault.jpg)](https://youtu.be/ub0qlYFGfg4 "Watch How Acquia DAM enable's Hootsuite's global operations on YouTube.") Remote and distributed Hootsuite teams around the globe can access the assets they need anytime, anywhere. ### **Keeps everything organized** Use a system that’s designed for the volume and velocity at which teams are creating and sharing content. A folder structure alone is too cumbersome for multiple departments and geographic locations. Teams need robust search functionality and filtering to find the assets they need. DAM systems support metadata that makes assets searchable and guides their use. For example, you can quickly and easily give vendors secure access to only the content they need. [![Watch How Acquia DAM enables Alliance Laundry System's global operations on YouTube.](//i.ytimg.com/vi/2OBiYn8UkXY/sddefault.jpg)](https://youtu.be/2OBiYn8UkXY "Watch How Acquia DAM enables Alliance Laundry System's global operations on YouTube.") Nick Polcyn, Creative Services Leader at Alliance Laundry Systems uses Acquia DAM to share on-brand content across their international market. ### **Helps marketing teams focus on core tasks** The self-service capabilities of DAM allow users to be productive — they can get what they need, when they want it, on their own. Sure, marketers can have access to assets kept on in-house servers but how are they going to find them? And how are they going to know which brochure, image, or logo is the correct one to use? This leads to pinging administrators or designers for assets. Which leads to inefficiency for both parties. In addition to providing access, a cloud DAM system offers conversions on the fly. When your social media manager needs a square version of a photograph or graphic for Instagram, they can just download it using the conversion functionality instead of putting in a creative request and waiting. ## **Not all cloud DAM systems are equal** The cloud offers incredible opportunities for scalability, security, and performance; but you need to select a vendor that offers the proper infrastructure and processes. Don’t hesitate to ask vendors about their privacy policy, security compliance, storage redundancy, and third-party validations. ([The DAM Evaluation Toolkit](https://www.acquia.com/resources/toolkits/dam-decision-toolkit) can help you determine your DAM needs and how to efficiently approach the vendor selection process.) ## **See Acquia’s cloud-DAM solution in action** At Acquia, we have offered a secure SaaS DAM solution on [Amazon Cloud](https://www.widen.com/cloud-services) for over 10 years, because we know that privacy, security, scalability, and access are critical to the modern brand. We support over one million active users and 800 customers around the world. Request, watch, or click through a demo to see how Acquia DAM (Widen) can change the way your business works. *Note: This article was originally published on Widen.com.* Image ![Nate Holmes Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/post_content_attribution_headshot/public/media/image/2024-03/Holmes.png?h=1e66e246&itok=9hA39sCR) [Nate Holmes](/about-us/team/nate-holmes) Sr. Manager, Product Marketing Marketing Acquia Nate Holmes is a product marketing leader at Acquia with over a decade of experience in marketing and content strategy. He specializes in DAM, AI for content, and website optimization to help brands streamline content operations and drive marketing ROI. [Share this blog post on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://www.acquia.com/markdownify/node/41736) [Share this blog post on Twitter ]() [Share this blog post via Email ]() ## Keep Reading [View More Resources](/resources) [Image ![Blog header graphic: What is digital asset management (DAM)? article.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2023-05/blog%20graphic%20%20DAM%20solution%20article.png?h=10d202d3&itok=M0TiBySR) Blog Article 13 min ###### What Is Digital Asset Management? DAM Software Guide (2026) Digital asset management (DAM) centralizes brand files, automates workflows, and powers omnichannel delivery. See how DAM software helps enterprise teams manage assets at scale. Digital Asset Management Digital Asset Management ](/blog/digital-asset-management) [Image ![Q12022_Forrester_Dam_Report](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2022-02/Forrester_RC.png?h=5f1b5b34&itok=a2-y4p5Z) Blog Article 3 min ###### Widen Recognized as a Leader in Forrester Wave™: DAM for CX Among digital asset management (DAM) vendors, Widen is a leader, according to the 2022 Wave™ evaluation from independent research firm Forrester ](/blog/widen-recognized-leader-forrester-wavetm-digital-asset-management-dam-customer-experience-q1) [Image ![Blog header image: How Acquia DAM Integrates with Acquia’s Composable DXP article. ](/sites/default/files/styles/card_tablet/public/media/image/2023-02/blog%20graphic%20-%20Integrating%20Widen%20DAM%20across%20the%20Acquia%20DXP%20%281%29.png?h=c9a3a702&itok=c1T1YvYM) Blog Article 11 min ###### How Acquia DAM Integrates with Acquia’s Composable DXP DAM is a crucial component of any modern DXP. See how Acquia DAM integrates with other Acquia products to create better digital experiences, faster. Digital Asset Management ](/blog/how-acquia-dam-integrates-with-acquia-dxp)