What is enterprise document management (EDM)?
Enterprise Document Management (EDM) platforms were originally designed to help large businesses, typically in highly regulated industries like legal and finance, centralize and manage business documents such as contracts, records, and scanned physical files. It was born from a need to save money on printing and paper costs and physical file storage.
An EDM system would prioritize compliance, security, and version control over other benefits like collaboration and speed, making it effective for audit-heavy workflows, but less equipped for enterprise teams that need to work quickly — and across many different brands, departments, locations, and time zones.
What is digital asset management (DAM)?
Digital Asset Management (DAM) solutions like Bynder are tailored for content-driven, brand-centric enterprises and go far beyond pure digital document storage.
They can manage all kinds of rich media and branded content, from images, video, and templates to interactive media and audio; all while enabling team collaboration, accelerating time-to-market, and maximizing content ROI.
Related: Discover how Riot Games use Bynder to save $2M every year.
What are the key differences between EDM and DAM?
The key differences between enterprise document management and digital asset management have been broken down in the table below:
|
Feature |
EDM |
DAM (Bynder) |
|
Supported file types |
Primarily documents, e.g. PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets. |
Documents, but also rich media, including images, video, interactive content assets, audio, and templates. |
|
Version control |
Basic versioning for compliance purposes. |
Advanced versioning with workflows and audit trails. |
|
Search capabilities |
Manual keyword and metadata searches. |
Metadata/keyword, but also AI-powered searches, including Text-in-Image, Natural Language Search (NLS), and Face Recognition. |
|
Access control |
Permissions and file restrictions. |
Granular permissions that include the ability to add watermarks, content expiry dates, and embargoes. |
|
Integrations |
Limited CMS and PIM integration. |
145+ out-of-the-box integrations that include the world’s most popular platforms: CMS, PIM, productivity apps, creative tools, and more. |
|
Use cases |
The storage, organization and retrieval of records. |
End-to-end content lifecycle management: storage, organization, sharing, creation, optimization, collaboration, distribution, and performance analysis. |
What are the key benefits of DAM over EDM?
While an EDM platform helps teams to manage and archive their documents, as we demonstrate above, the scope for enterprises is limited.
By contrast, a DAM like Bynder delivers real strategic value by enabling end-to-end content operations, from creation to management and distribution.
AI-powered content discovery
Assets stored within the Bynder DAM are fully searchable, and enterprise teams can utilize AI searches like Face Recognition and Text-in-Image to speed up asset location and accelerate the asset tagging process.
Increased content ROI
In-depth analytics and automation make it easier for enterprises to track content performance, make more informed decisions on content, encourage asset reuse, and reduce the reliance on costly external agency support.
Furthermore, AI-powered DAM capabilities like Generative AI within Content Workflow allow enterprise teams to expedite content creation; with every piece continually moving towards the finish line with the help of automated workflows.
Related: Read about how Queensland Health has boosted its asset reuse by 75% since introducing Bynder.
End-to-end content workflows
From the briefing stage to distribution, Bynder DAM supports creative collaboration and campaign execution within a single ecosystem.
Comprehensive version control capabilities
Detailed history logs within the Bynder DAM retain a copy of all document edits, as well as who made the changes, to provide users with more transparency and accountability.
Omnichannel distribution
A single asset can be uploaded, optimized, and then distributed to as many digital channels as needed; providing a more consistent, branded content experience for audiences. On top of this, teams can be safe in the knowledge that they are publishing the most up-to-date version of those assets.
Related: Learn how Eddie Bauer deliver 7 billion image transformations each year using Bynder.
Access to rich integrations
Bynder’s 140+ integrations connect the DAM to CMS, PIM, design software, productivity apps, and many other popular platforms that enterprises commonly include within their tech stack.
Cloud-based remote access
With all documents stored in the Bynder DAM, users can access what they need from anywhere in the world that has an internet connection.
Scalability and security
The Bynder DAM’s enterprise-grade infrastructure provides robust security, access controls, and global accessibility. Detailed history logs within the Bynder DAM retain a copy of all document edits, as well as who made the changes, to provide users with more transparency and accountability.
Enterprises can use the DAM’s AI to effortlessly transcribe or convert assets into popular formats like PDFs and Word documents; a big benefit for large organizations looking to enter new markets and regions, globally.
Why choose Bynder DAM?
Modern enterprise organizations with high content demands require a robust platform that does far more than just store documents. If you’re currently using an EDM system or considering investing in one, it’s worth exploring how a DAM like Bynder can take your content operations to the next level.
Bynder’s AI-powered DAM is built for scale, collaboration, and creative excellence — it’s built for enterprise teams that need something more dynamic than simple document storage and management.
Whether you’re evolving from your legacy EDM system or wanting to introduce a brand new platform, Bynder will help your brand unlock more value from your digital assets and content creation.
