Asset management is a crucial yet complicated part of business operations in practically any industry. When the business grows, expands, and handles remote tasks, it can be difficult to determine which asset management solution a company should use, and whether it should be hosted on-premise or in the Cloud.

Let’s review the two hosting options, why managing media assets in the Cloud may be beneficial, and why some companies prefer on-premise control of their asset management.

On-Premise Asset Management

On-premise asset management is the traditional method for managing the system. This type of asset management is self-hosted through the use of a company’s servers and is managed by the company’s internal IT team. Everything is handled in-house, which allows an organization to manage the system’s IT infrastructure.

Like any other system, this management type has its benefits and setbacks.

PROS

• On-premise hosting allows for significant customization, integrations, and security protocols.
• These systems may be ideal for companies that have an experienced IT team.
• These systems might be extremely beneficial for businesses with hosting capabilities.

CONS

• On-premise systems are expensive
• The company is responsible for all integrations and maintenance procedures.
• These systems take significant time to deploy.

Asset Management in the Cloud

Digital asset management in the Cloud is partially or completely managed by the vendor the company utilizes. Because these systems are hosted in the Cloud they reduce employee maintenance burdens and internal infrastructure costs.

PROS

• Cloud-hosted asset management solutions are typically more affordable than on-premise systems, as these systems don’t require the company to have hosting capabilities.
• They’re accessible remotely so employees can access the data they need from anywhere.
• Cloud system vendors often provide much of the security protocols for the company, and IT asset management in the Cloud takes the demand off the company’s IT department.

CONS

• Cloud-based system speed will depend on the user’s internet connection, so performance will suffer if files are accessed in a remote location with poor connectivity.
• Shared servers may decrease the speed of a company’s system performance depending on how many companies are using the server at a time.
• If using proprietary programs is a requirement, this could make migrating, editing, or exporting files complicated at first.

Each organization has different needs, so there isn’t a universal answer regarding which hosting type is best for asset management. Exploring the capabilities and restrictions of each asset management system is necessary to come to an informed decision about which method your company needs.