Vendor Details
Contact Name
Robert BurgeeCompany Profile
MerlinOne has amazing in-house AI technology which delivers major search advances to the Digital Asset Management world. Our NOMAD Visual Search allows you to monetize previously undiscoverable objects, even if they have scarce or no textual metadata.
Contact Telephone
617-328-6645Contact Email
rburgee@merlinone.comCompany Website
http://www.merlinone.comYears Trading
33Company Turnover Category
The turnover of the vendor can give an indication of their size. US Dollars is used as common currency to allow comparisons. Note that turnover is not necessarily any indicator of financial stability but as part of any procurement due diligence you are obliged to carry out by your organisation, any vendors who have not agreed to show their turnover here might be required to do so if subsequently appointed.
Percentage 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.
100Number 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.
30Office Locations
Product Name
MerlinXLatest Version Number
6.2Date Of Last Release
29/10/2021Documentation URL
https://merlinone.com/support/Online trial link
https://merlinone.com/contact/Company LinkedIn URL
https://www.linkedin.com/company/93001?trk=tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1414502092178%2Ctas%3Amerlinone%2Cidx%3A1-1-1Company Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/pages/MerlinOne-Inc/200816796408?ref=bookmarksClients & 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Service Oriented Architecture Definition
Some vendors have widely differing opinions of what Service Oriented Architecture means. Their response to this question allows you to understand if their definition concurs with your own. If you are not contemplating a large scale DAM implementation or one with many complex integration requirements, SOA may not be relevant to your needs.
A Service-Oriented Architecture is a design approach that defines a large software system as a collection of loosely-coupled applications which communicate with each other in defined ways to perform work.
Merlin's server architecture consists of a collection of web APIs which connect to a constellation of over a dozen independent services. Those services manage storage, inputs, outputs, database, imaging, auditing, logging, application extensions, and batch processing behaviors.
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.
Microservices
Microservices are similar in nature to Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) with the key difference being that they can be deployed entirely independently of the platform that uses them. Microservices are usually prevalent in Digital Asset Supply Chain projects.
Microservices Definition
As with Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) some vendors have different opinions of what microservices are. Their response to this question allows you to understand if their definition concurs with your own. If you are not contemplating a Digital Asset Supply Chain project, large scale DAM implementation or one with many complex integration requirements, microservices may not be relevant to your needs.
NA
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
NOMAD AI Visual Search, Visual Similarity AI Search, Facial Recognition
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
Merlin indexes in real-time all text in any .PDF document, MS Office document (Powerpoint, Word, Excel), non-rasterized text layers in graphics files and Photoshop files, speech-to-text converted from audio tracks in video or audio files.
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.
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.
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.
UI chooses interface appropriate to the field type.
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
Merlin ad hoc reporting tool supports creation of reports for any aspect of user and/or activity within Merlin.
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
Merlin ad hoc reporting tool supports creation of reports for any aspect of user and/or activity within Merlin. Merlin's report tool allows you to create custom reports based on data within the system, and automatically send them out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
CSV and XML imports may require custom mapping. Merlin can also import and export via API.
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.
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
MerlinOne offers a complete set of APIs. In fact, the Merlin client applications are written entirely with our own APIs. Contact MerlinOne for a complete set of API documentation.
API-First Architecture
API-First means that anything the user can do via the graphical interface is possible via the API. If a DAM has an API-First architecture it is far more likely to be easier to integrate with other solutions than one that does not.
API-First Notes
If the vendor claims an API-First architecture then they should be able to provide a definition of it. In addition, documentation which describes their support for it will typically be available. Implementing API-First is a complex undertaking so vendor development teams will definitely know whether they have this attribute or do not.
MerlinOne offers a complete set of APIs. In fact, the Merlin client applications are written entirely with our own APIs. Contact MerlinOne for a complete set of API documentation.
Hooks
Hooks are related to APIs but are initiated by the application rather than by an external application making the request. Hooks allow other actions to be initiated based on events, for example if a user downloads an asset, an action can be commenced to notify another application that this has taken place (along with the ID number of the asset, date/time etc).
Hooks Targets Supported
In most DAM applications that support them, hooks are initiated as web requests, so the system will call a given external URL and provide some parameters. Some solutions also support initiating scripts or applications which can run on the server where the system is hosted.
Hooks Definition
If the vendor claims support for hooks, check how they define them and see if their interpretation concurs with your own. A reasonably detailed explanation along with citations/links should be given here.
The Merlin Extensions Service is a server component which allows Merlin Services, including the MerlinX API, to be customized through the implementation of scripted "hooks". The extensions are designed in the Extensions Web UI, which allows MerlinOne staff or technically advanced users to create step-by-step processes to modify data, enforce custom policies, or trigger custom actions within the application without having to deploy compiled code to the server.
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
Our tiered storage service supports the addition of plugins to allow integration with other storage vendors.
AI Component Integration
A number of DAMs integrate with multiple third party AI image recognition components. This question allows you to see which ones they use.
AI Notes
This question seek to find out how vendors have implemented their support for AI image recognition components. A number of vendors may have also developed custom-built AI solutions entirely in-house and this question gives them an opportunity to present those.
MerlinOne has developed its own suite of AI tools designed for DAM. This includes, our own Facial Recognition AI, Visual Similarity AI, IMPACT! AI (ordering search results by overall visual impact), and NOMAD AI Visual Search (a game-changing new, purely visual search that searches for visual assets in a DAM completely independent of any metadata). Merlin utilizes AWS Transcribe for speech to text. Plugin architecture that allows us to integrate as needed.
Content Delivery Networks (CDN) Integration
Content Delivery Networks allow digital assets to be distributed across a wide geographic area to improve performance and reduce the pressure on the DAM system for in-demand assets.
Content Delivery Networks (CDN) Integration Notes
A customer's CDN may be set up as a destination for a workflow target so that assets sent to that workflow target from Merlin will be handled by the CDN to the parameters associated with that target. For this type of integration we already support Amazon Cloudfront.
Content Management Systems (CMS) Integration
Many DAM solutions now provide specific integration modules that allow users to select assets from their Content Management System of choice without leaving the CMS application in order to do so.
CMS Integration Notes
Integration with other CMS solutions is via CMS SDK, which exposes Merlin in an iFrame within the CMS environment. CMS SDK is available to developers.
Creative Tools Integration
Some DAMs will integrate directly with specific creative tools so designers and creatives do not need to leave them in order to use assets from the DAM.
E-commerce Integration
A number of DAMs integrate with e-commerce systems so that product catalogues can be updated automatically from the DAM. There might also be features like tracking of asset usage and conversion ratios for product images etc.
Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Integration
Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS)
Marketing Operations & Project Management Integration
Master Data Management (MDM) Integration
Mobile Apps Integration
Mobile Apps Integration Notes
The Merlin web application is mobile responsive and runs on any Android and iOS devices.
Office & Productivity Integration
Product Information Management (PIM) Integration
Rights Management Integration
Sales & Marketing Integration
Social Media Integration
Stock Media Providers Integration
Templating & Print On-Demand Integration
Video Integration
Web Analytics Integration
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
Merlin Extensions Service has a GUI to customize system behavior.
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
We provide custom development of plugins to our software.
Authentication
Authentication Support
If you need to integrate with an existing corporate authentication service then this option will be important for you.
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.
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.
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