Choosing the right digital asset management (DAM) software is foundational to your business. However, not every DAM is built with the features and capabilities to meet your team’s specific needs.
Below, we’ll compare two of the top-rated DAM platforms, OpenAsset and Bynder, to help you choose the right one for your business.
OpenAsset
The only digital asset management platform designed for the built world, OpenAsset is a cloud-based DAM that empowers AEC firms with the project-based functionality they need to create high-quality RFP responses.
Enabled with a host of DAM tools, OpenAsset empowers users with the ability to search, store, share, and seamlessly deliver the most current images and associated data faster than ever before.
OpenAsset is a cloud-based digital asset management (DAM) solution that enables architecture, engineering, construction, and real estate businesses of any size with an intuitive way to store, organize, utilize, and share their digital assets on a single platform.
Key features include a project-based structure, AI-enabled search, marketing collateral creation, asset categorization, asset sharing, workflow management, and an employee module that enables users to create resumes, store employee data, and sync employee assets between HR or ERP systems and OpenAsset.
Bynder
Bynder is a digital asset management platform that enables companies with tools to manage digital files quickly and professionally. They offer marketers a smart way to find and share creative files such as graphics, videos, and documents.
Bynder’s DAM module offers a solution for companies of all sizes from small to large enterprises, especially creatives looking to deliver powerful digital experiences to their customers.
Key features include a customized taxonomy, drag-and-drop, automated asset distribution, creative workflow management, and brand guides to help organizations improve brand consistency.
OpenAsset vs. Bynder: Capabilities
Your DAM is the foundation of your company’s creative process. It should keep you organized, increase efficiency, improve collaboration and enable your team to focus on important revenue-generating tasks. See how OpenAsset and Bynder compare across some of the most critical marketing capabilities.
Storage
A common feature among DAM platforms, cloud storage is the process that enables users to access, store, manage, organize, and share a variety of digital assets online. Cloud storage is an exceptionally powerful business tool because it provides users with the functionality they need to improve collaboration, streamline asset creation, organize digital assets, and improve the digital rights management process.
OpenAsset
OpenAsset offers users a safe and secure way to store their digital assets in a cloud-based repository, making them easily accessible across multiple business locations. When paired with mobile and bulk upload functionality, this feature provides numerous advantages to any firm that utilizes project photos in their proposals and marketing material.
Useful Features:
- Cloud-based repository
- Bulk upload
- Supports all file formats
- Duplicate file notification
- Upload approval
- Organization-wide access available
Bynder
Bynder offers a cloud-based platform for marketing teams to create, find, and use digital content. Users can store the original asset in the DAM and synchronize updates on multiple locations outside the DAM. These features are especially valuable to brands that leverage media, graphics, and documents for their marketing or sales efforts.
Useful Features:
- Cloud-based repository
- Bulk upload
- Supports all file formats
- Upload approval
Import/Export
Uploading content to your DAM should be super simple and lightning-fast. Your DAM should also enable your team to organize all of your digital assets in a way that makes sense for your business.
OpenAsset
OpenAsset enables users to organize their digital assets by project, with all the relevant metadata needed to search and find the files they need. This type of functionality enables users to store and organize their assets in a way that makes sense to their business.
Useful Features:
- Customizable taxonomy
- Project keywords
- Batch editing
- File access and ranking system
- Custom metadata
- Metadata extraction
- User permissions
- Digital rights management
Bynder
Bynder does not offer project-based organization, but it does offer a collections feature, which provides a useful way to group media files for simple sharing, regardless of the file type, size, or category. Collections allow you to quickly access, edit and share a specific group of files at any time.
Useful Features:
- Custom-created taxonomy
- File grouping
- Batch editing
- Intelligent version control
- Digital rights management
Search
Keywords are search terms that consist of a word or a phrase that people use to search a database for specific information related to a certain topic. Keywords make it easy for DAM users to find the digital assets they need to create things like project proposals, resumes, and marketing materials.
OpenAsset
OpenAsset’s unique search function leverages the power of artificial intelligence to not only find the right files but also help users discover additional relevant assets that they may have overlooked.
Useful Features:
- Search by file keywords and metadata
- Search by project keywords and metadata
- Access control
- Permission groups
- File preview
- Artificial intelligence
Bynder
Bynder’s powerful search function allows you to find files by searching through asset metadata, tags, collections, and even within a PDF file to ensure you’re able to find the files you’re looking for, no matter where it sits in the DAM.
Useful Features:
- Google-style search
- File preview
- Access control
Access
For your team to collaborate, they should be able to share digital assets without wasting precious time with frustrating ZIP files, chaotic email transfers, and unsecured file transfer tools.
OpenAsset
OpenAsset makes it easy to securely share your images and digital assets with the right people, at the right time. Users also benefit from an unprecedented amount of control over distributed assets with features like download monitoring and external access control.
Moreover, the OpenAsset Portals feature is a game-changing innovation designed specifically for AEC firms looking to enhance their digital asset management and sharing processes. This new tool allows a highly customizable and centralized approach to sharing digital assets directly from the OpenAsset system.
Useful Features:
- Album creation
- Drag-and-drop
- Downloads with metadata
- Download link monitoring
- Secure file sharing
- Access control
- Portals
Bynder
Bynder makes it easy for users to find exactly what they need and share files with lightning-fast speed. Users can also drag and drop files right into their DAM and share them instantly.
Useful Features:
- Drag-and-drop
- Secure file sharing
- Access control
Integrations
For ongoing success, it is important to acquire a highly connectable DAM. The more integrations that you have, the easier it is to create efficient work processes, reduce the likelihood of error and enable your team to focus on core work and business growth.
OpenAsset
With a host of useful integrations, OpenAsset provides users with an array of useful tools, including project-based ERP & CRM, construction project management, and document creation platforms.
Useful Integrations:
- Procore
- AEC 360
- Deltek Vision
- Deltek Vantagepoint
- Affinity
- Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel
- Unanet/ Cosential CRM
- Templafy
- InDesign
Bynder
Bynder offers multiple integrations – all designed to make it easier for creatives (marketing teams, brand managers, etc.) to work together on digital assets.
Useful Integrations:
- Adobe
- Salesforce Marketing
- Drupal
- Contentful
Collaboration
To establish a creative workflow, your team needs to easily collaborate and communicate with both internal departments and external agencies. When used properly, your DAM can speed up content creation from start to finish while making sure reviews and approvals are clear and straightforward for everyone.
OpenAsset
OpenAsset’s branded templates, employee resume module, and intuitive drag-and-drop features make it easy to create large volumes of marketing materials and proposal documents. OpenAsset also provides users with a project portfolio feature that makes it easy to showcase your work and streamline the proposal creation process.
Useful Features:
- Branded templates
- Employee resume module
- Custom image specifications
- Drag-and-drop
- Image linking
Bynder
Bynder offers content creators a large toolbox of useful applications, integrations, and workflows that makes it easy to create marketing materials, manage your brand, and distribute content across your marketing channels.
Useful Features:
- Personalized dashboard
- Version control
- Tasks and notifications
- Online proofing
OpenAsset: Best DAM for AEC Firms
Though OpenAsset and Bynder provide similar features and functionality, they are designed for different industries. As a project-based DAM, OpenAsset is the preferred option for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms that organize their digital assets according to project or property.
This type of functionality makes it easier for AEC marketers to find and share the project photos they need to create marketing materials and on-brand content. Additionally, OpenAsset comes with a useful employee module, which enables proposal managers to quickly update resumes and better showcases the skill of their team when creating proposals and answering RFPs.
Bynder: Best DAM for Creative Teams
When compared to OpenAsset, Bynder is the better option for creatives, marketing departments, and content production teams. With a wide range of useful content creation tools, Bynder makes it easy for companies to improve their creative workflow and boost their content creation.
This type of functionality is particularly useful to consumer, technology, media, and entertainment brands looking to create and share on-brand content across their marketing channels.
What Else Can a DAM Do for My Firm?
The AEC marketing professionals who trust OpenAsset to organize their files and images often ask “What else can a DAM do for my firm?” This guide on digital asset management explores how marketing professionals use our DAM, and the tools we integrate with, to simplify their workflows. Or if you read this comparison and know OpenAsset is for you, feel free to schedule a demo.
