Vendor Details
Contact Name
Mathias WurthCompany Profile
The censhare Digital Experience Platform pools all marketing and communications contentwithin one information-centric system and a consistent user interface. The bestof breed applications for Collaboration, DAM, PIM, Omnichannel CMS and MRM allowto create relevant digital experiences from real-time information.
Information-centricbusiness processes supply employees, partners, customers and prospects, withoutmedia or process gaps with the content they need, wherever and whenever required. They improve brand value as well as customer loyalty.
censhare offers flexible deployment options fromSaaS and On Premise to Hybrid. More than 150 companies, like Dyson, GoPro,Hearst, Kohl's, Serviceplan, Migros, Rewe, Swiss Re and Vitra are usingcenshare on a daily basis. censhare is headquartered in Munich, Germany and hassubsidiaries in Switzerland, France, India, UK and USA.
Contact Email
info@censhare.comCompany Website
https://www.censhare.com/Years Trading
12Company Turnover
This is the actual turnover of the vendor in US Dollars.
20000000Percentage of Revenue From DAM Software
A vendor might have a large turnover and many employees, but their DAM software division is a very small element of what they offer. If a large proportion of their revenue comes from DAM solutions (licenses, support, hosting, consulting etc) then this may mean they are more specialised, but also there are risks to their overall financial stability if there is a downturn in the DAM software market.
50Number of Full-Time Employees
Along with turnover, the number of full-time employees gives an indication of the size of the vendor. Note that although a firm might have many employees, not all of them might be dedicated to developing DAM solutions, so this cannot be relied on in isolation.
180Office Locations
Product Name
censhare Digital Experience PlatformLatest Version Number
5Date Of Last Release
03/08/2016Documentation URL
https://ecosphere.censhare.comUser group URL
https://ecosphere.censhare.comCompany LinkedIn URL
http://www.linkedin.com/company/censhare-agCompany Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/censhareClients & Customers
Partner Network
If the vendor operates through a sales channel they may use intermediaries who have regional focus or additional specialisms in a given vertical market.
Partner Network Notes
Drawing on their specialized knowledge and long standing, in depth experience, censhare partners ensure the successful implementation of the Digital Experience Platform.
Licensing
Licensing Model
This refers to the type of licence the DAM system software is supplied under. Proprietary means that the developer restricts access to the source code (the instructions used to generate the software). Open source means that the developer provides full access to the code so you can modify it yourself. Split model is hybrid and means they may offer both options with some restrictions removed (or added) depending on the model chosen. If split is selected, it is advisable to verify the differences with the vendor.
Licence Notes
censhare offers flexible licensing and deployment options from SaaS and On Premise to Hybrid.
Use of Open Source Components
Many DAM systems use freely available open source components to deliver key functionality. The products themselves may not be open source, however. This question will help to identify to what extent they are open source.
Hosting
Software Delivery Methods
Technology
Client
Client refers to the type of hardware or software device that can be used to access or control the DAM system.
Client Notes
True rich Internet application which only uses the latest web technologies like HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript / AngularJS. It supports modern web browsers and can be used without the installation of additional software or plug-ins.
Server Operating Systems supported
This only applies for installed or hybrid DAM systems and refers to what types of OS they can be run on. This question is less relevant for DAM systems where a third party will be hosting it for you.
Server Operating System Notes
Application server and client code written in Java and available for Windows, Mac OS-X and Linux/Unix/Solaris (server only).
Web Server
The type of web server software that the DAM system can operate with. Not all DAM systems use a web server and for pure SaaS products the question is irrelevant. If you either want SaaS or non-web DAM systems, do not choose an option.
Web Server Notes
censhare satellite with embedded Jetty Web Server.
Software Development Technologies Used
This means the programming language or development technology used to implement the DAM system. This question is more important for open source software or if you have IT policy restrictions that require you to use (or not use) some technologies. It may not be relevant if you require a hosted DAM and never intend to host the system in-house.
Server Technology Notes
Application server code written in Java.
Database Technology
The Database that the DAM system uses. All DAM systems require some kind of storage for asset metadata and they are usually based on an existing technology - but that may not always be a conventional database. If the DAM will be hosted by someone else (e.g. SaaS/Cloud) this question may not be relevant.
Database Notes
Latest generation of in-memory graph database, which achieves class leading performance with comparatively low infrastructure requirements when combined with a special indexing technology. Supports OLTP, OLAP and information retrieval.
Search Technologies
This refers to third party search components that the vendor uses to provide the text search features (and sometimes other related search functions).
Search Technologies Notes
All search functionality is perfomed within the censhare database.
Service Oriented Architecture
Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) means the vendor's product uses a modular architecture where each core DAM function is delivered as a service which can be separated out independently from other functions. It is important for large-scale Digital Asset Management implementations or more complex integration requirements.
Unique SOA Services
If the vendor uses a Service Oriented Architecture, they should be able to identify a number of unique services that are isolated from each other. Note there is overlap between with question and the one about scalable asset processing. Some vendors do not have an SOA but do offer large scale asset processing capabilities.
Service Oriented Architecture Notes
Under service-oriented architecture (SOA) we understand the architectural pattern of providing modular, loosely coupled units of functionality and not specifically Web-Services.
Search
Search Features
This describes the search strategies that can be used to find assets. If you do not understand any of them, leave the options de-selected. Most DAM systems should support at least keyword search at a minimum.
Search Notes
Content is found in real time within censhare. Search through full texts, filter results, collect favorites and launch complex inquiries.
- Multiple views with filters: List, gallery, columns, relations
- Detailed and expert search
- Save searches
Index/Search Text Content Of Documents
Some DAM systems can search the text content of document assets and that might be important for your DAM solution.
Document Text Indexing Notes
Real time full text search for all content and metadata.
Metadata
Embedded metadata support (reading)
Embedded metadata refers to information stored within asset files which can be searched from the DAM system. There are different standards for this type of metadata. Some image cataloguing software like Adobe Lightroom will write this data to asset files and a device like a camera may capture details also such as GPRS coordinates where an photo was shot. XMP metadata is often used with other types of files such as InDesign or PDF. If you are unsure whether this applied to you, do not check any options.
Embedded metadata support (writing)
See the reading question above for more details on what embedded metadata is. This question refers to whether embedded metadata can be written back to files if edited within the DAM system.
Embedded metadata support notes
An extensive default metadata model of more than 200 parameters describes every aspect of an asset, its relations, elements and files.
Default metadata model contains (among many others): global unique asset identification numbers (UUID), file information (mimetype, filesize, image-parameters, relative storage locations ...), status information; manually assigned and calculated deadlines, keyword thesauri, freetext fields, authorship information, language codes, comments, domains, production.
Controlled Vocabularies
Controlled Vocabularies are predefined lists of search terms. They can be realised in many different ways but the common factor is the user picks from a restricted selection rather than enters a keyword. Most DAM systems will usually support both controlled vocabularies and keywords.
Controlled Vocabulary Notes
Integrated centralized glossar application with synchronization feature for external glossars and glossar suggestion feature for users.
Integrated Translation Memory System with automatic storage of all translated segments of the past and automatic translation of recurring segments.
User Defined Metadata Fields
The ability to configure metadata your own metadata fields is important for DAM systems so you can assign a dedicated field for certain items of information rather than using a generic classification method or one of the vendor's own standard fields.
Cataloguing Interface Options
When cataloguing assets with custom fields, some metadata will be controlled selections, others will be free text. There are further choices like date fields, file attachments etc.
Cataloguing Interface Notes
Verify how the vendor has implemented a given cataloguing interface control. It is preferable if they can demonstrate with examples of how they have implemented interface options for cataloguing and metadata entry.
censhare?s widget based interface centrally manages access to content and features for all users via roles, rights and tasks.
Business Intelligence & Reporting
Asset Usage Records
To enable reports to be generated, DAM solutions must retain records of asset usage, including searching, download and editing of records. The reporting should include the user who carried out the activity and the date/time it occurred.
Asset Usage Notes
Asset history is tracked completely with versioning.
Audit Trail
A detailed audit trail that logs every user action in a central record is useful to gain insight into user behaviour. Comprehensive audit trails allow DAM system users to produce reports that address their unique needs.
Built-In Reports
A range of built-in reports that you can quickly generate is useful to answer common questions such as the "what is our most popular asset?".
Reporting Notes
Reports can be generated by users via report widgets.
Asset Processing
Dedicated/Scalable Proxy or Derivative Asset Generation
Nearly all DAM systems will generate thumbnails and previews of media, including more dynamic types like video or audio. Some products use a separate server to do this which usually makes them more suitable for large scale asset ingestion and processing.
Dedicated/Scalable Proxy or Derivative Asset Generation Notes
censhare Rendering Client: Java-based censhare frontend for Adobe InDesign Server.
censhare Service Client: Java-based censhare frontend for 3rd-party-software like imagemagick, ghostscript, Helios or Xinet for distributed image rendering.
Multi-Page Document Asset Previews
If you deal with document oriented assets, having a solution which can generate multi-page previews (and also zoom in on them) can save the hassle of downloading a file only to discover it is not the one you need. For assets with very similar content, this can be a useful feature.
Multi-Page Document Asset Preview Notes
Integrated flip preview of PDF documents and InDesign layouts.
Asset Manipulation
Image Manipulation
Many DAM systems allow users to manipulate images by resizing, cropping etc. Choose any features which are important to your users.
Image Manipulation Notes
Built-in user application for common image manipulation tasks like scaling, cropping, flipping.
Server based image editor for automatic image manipulation (cropping, scaling, rotation, flipping, colorspace transformation, resolution changes) based on customizable schedules, events and rules.
Server based image file creation (placeholder images) with customizable textual database content.
External applications can be defined to open or view image files.
OPI support.
Incorporation o
Video Manipulation
Some DAM systems may allow video assets to be converted or modified. If that is a potential requirement for you, specify those features which are likely to be needed. EDL = Edit Decision List and refers to providing in/out points when editing video footage.
Video Manipulation Notes
Automatic extraction of duration, audio format, video format, frames per second and bitrate at videos.
External applications can be defined to open or view video files.
Data Import/Export
Importing Metadata
Importing metadata is an important feature if you have either legacy assets or metadata is generated using some other tools (for example a spreadsheet). Not all systems offer this, but usually if the feature is not available, the vendor will be able to carry out batch importing for you via professional services (note: this will usually incur a cost, unlike a built-in capability).
Metadata Import Formats
This question only applies if the vendor has features to import metadata. There are common formats like CSV, XML and Excel which DAM solutions may support. If this is a requirement you are likely to make frequent use of, it is essential to verify whether the product supports the formats you typically work with.
Metadata Import Notes
censhare can be connected with external systems via interfaces or transfer and consolidate master data from XML, Excel and CSV files.
Exporting Metadata
As well as importing metadata, sometimes it is important to be able to export sections of it to conduct further analysis in third party applications. Not all products support this, but usually it will be possible to request the vendor provides an export via professional services (although a fee may be charged).
Metadata Export Formats
This question only applies if the vendor has features to export metadata. There are common formats like CSV, XML and Excel which DAM solutions may support. If this is a requirement you are likely to make frequent use of, it is essential to verify whether the product supports the formats you typically work with.
Metadata Export Notes
censhare can be connected with external systems via interfaces or export master data from XML, Excel and CSV files.
Integration
API
API means Application Programming Interface and allows third party software to control a DAM system. If you intend to integrate your DAM with another existing solution then you need to choose the API protocol that is compatible with that.
API Notes
censhare features various interfaces and APIs for communicating with external systems and extending the scope of its functions.
- REST API
- JavaScript API
- Java API
- XML and JSON imports and exports with data mapping and data transformation
Storage Integration
Many DAM solutions will now allow assets to be stored on the server of Cloud storage providers. This allows asset files to be distributed and/or integrated with other solutions. Some third party services use generic protocols like FTP, others are proprietary.
Storage Integration Notes
censhare can be operated fully in AWS or in hybrid models.
Scripting & Plug-Ins
Scripting Capabilities
Some advanced DAM solutions have a scripting capability that allows users or third parties to add functionality which the vendor did not originally envisage. Usually programming skills will be required to use this, but some tools have visual interfaces also.
Scripting Capability Notes
XPath/XSLT engine.
Plug-In Support
In addition to scripting (or sometimes instead of), some DAM solutions will have a plug-in architecture that allows third party developers to extend the core platform.
Plug-In Capability Notes
Partners and users can develop their own interface widgets.
Authentication
Authentication Support
If you need to integrate with an existing corporate authentication service then this option will be important for you.
Authentication Notes
Support for Kerberos-based authentification services like LDAP and AD, including support for single-sign-on.
Social network support (user accounts, profiles, followers and more) for censhare Online Channel portals.
Multi-Lingual Options
Multilingual Application Interface Support
The interface means the controls to use the DAM system. This is different from the metadata support which is usually entered by end users when cataloguing assets.
Multilingual Metadata Support
See previous question. Most DAM systems with multi-lingual support will provide it for metadata.
Multilingual Support Notes
Centralized management of language schemes.
Multilingual censhare clients with localization features, full Unicode support and live language switching.
Multilingual support for all metadata (regular data and ?features?).
Localization dictionaries for user interface customization.
Default system delivered in english and german language.
Possibility to override default terminology in all languages.
Version Control
File versioning
File versioning refers to the digital media associated with an asset record. This is usually the minimum requirement for a DAM system to claim support for versioning assets. See also responses to the related question about metadata versioning below.
Metadata versioning
Metadata versioning is separate from the files associated with assets. Many DAM solutions will track updated digital assets but only retain a single current version of the metadata. Since metadata is likely to be edited many more times than assets get replaced, this can be an important point to check.
Independent Metadata And File Versioning
This questions assesses whether the solution allows versions of either the file or metadata to be reverted independently or if both are linked to a single shared version instance.
Version Control Notes
Fully automated versioning for all files and metadata
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