Headless CMS vs DAM – DAM specs outlined and explained

If you’re unfamiliar with headless DAM, check out our previous article on the topic - Introducing Headless DAM: at-scale asset management for omnichannel marketers, publishers and ecommerce.

In a headless CMS vs DAM debate, it is important to consider the fact that a headless DAM system not only increases accuracy and efficiency, but also makes processing possible at a scale that’s simply impossible without automation. Any organization interested in harnessing the processing power of headless DAM to run and grow their business, should look for the following must-have features in a headless DAM system. 

1. Image ingestion at scale

Headless DAM users process hundreds of millions of assets each year, from a diverse range of sources and different upload protocols. So, headless DAM needs to be flexible enough to accept and understand high volumes of data and assets, regardless of where they originate.

It also needs to be intelligent enough to recognize and reject unsuitable assets, and report back to quickly address problems. This prevents poor quality, off-brand, or missing images online. It also saves time compared to manual troubleshooting and reporting.

2. AI image recognition and tagging

AI image recognition and tagging means that, when you upload images, the software automatically tags them to enhance searchability.

The software is intelligent enough to not just identify the content of the image – in terms of what the image features, colors, etc – but also whether the image fits your brand and what emotions it might elicit in your audience.

Multiply this functionality across millions of assets – often uploaded by external sources – and it represents a huge time-saving at the input stage by automating and standardizing metadata.

It also reduces time spent searching for and deploying assets by expanding the range of search terms that can be used to identify assets.

3. Image processing and output

In the omnichannel landscape – delivering rich media-based experiences across different platforms and media – being able to create multiple image renditions or variants is essential.

Your headless DAM should be able to deliver different crops, resolutions, and color pathways to optimize delivery to your audience. For example:

• Billboard – CMYK, high-res version with clipping path, capable of reproduction at a large size.
• Flyer for print – CMYK, lower-res version for easier handling and smaller reproduction.
• Website hero image – RGB version, web resolution, landscape crop.
• Social ad – RGB version, web resolution, cropped to specific dimensions of the platform.

With these different versions, maintaining control of metadata is vital to ensure no costly mistakes occur from accidental misuse. A good headless DAM will automatically update metadata – such as usage rights and product information – across all variants.

4. Custom integrations with API

The major benefit of headless DAM is derived from the fact it can integrate seamlessly with other systems. So look for a headless DAM with exceptional API flexibility, to provide maximum scope for an integrated workflow.

A good headless DAM solution should be able to integrate with content management systems (giving the whole headless CMS vs DAM discussion another dimension), design and creative software, project and task management programs, print publishing tools, AI tagging tools, proofing and translation software, and more.

5. Customizable workflows

Headless DAM isn’t just about enhancing asset uploads and search. DAM integrations, such as those available in the Integrations Marketplace, allow for customizable workflows that save time and increase efficiency.

For example, connect your headless DAM to Slack to send users a notification when a file has been added or edited. Or sync your DAM with your PIM to automatically update product listings with newly uploaded imagery.

This way, not only can your headless DAM improve workflows and efficiency in your other software, but other software can optimize workflows involving your headless DAM, too. It creates a truly integrated software stack and a virtuous circle of process improvements.

6. Capacity and scalability

Although digital asset management delivers effortless image processing and access at scale, processing huge volumes of assets is often the main reasonorganizations use a headless DAM system – think millions of assets, not thousands.

With the increased demand for online shopping, multichannel marketing, and up-to-the-minute content, that volume is likely to grow. So you need to ensure that your selected software has the capacity to scale with your business.

Even if your business continues to process the same number of raw assets, the outputs you need to create could multiply as new technology, devices, and channels become available. So, headless CMS or headless DAM, choose a system that is scalable to suit your future needs.

Headless CMS vs DAM: what's the preferred option?

When it comes to choosing between a headless DAM or a headless CMS, there isn’t a right or wrong solution – just different use cases.

Whilst a ‘content management system’ sounds like it is perfect for managing your content, the name is a little misleading now that the digital publishing and MarTech landscape has grown.

If you're unsure which system is going to be best to manage your ‘content’, consider:

• what content you need to manage
• where the content will be published

A headless DAM is designed specifically for businesses that need to process and publish digital assets – like images, video, and artwork – across multiple publishing platforms.

A headless CMS is more focused on publishing content to websites, and includes functionality for managing site structure, pages, and content like text, images, and video.