Cloud Storage for DAM Platforms

While digital asset management platforms succeed through features and user experience, their core function centres on storage. You cannot organise digital assets without a secure repository ensuring security, recoverability and accessibility.

Types of Cloud Storage

Hot Storage

High-performance file storage for assets undergoing processing, such as newly uploaded files or cached streaming content.

Object Storage

Medium-performance, durable storage persisting files and playable renders for video and audio. Data transfers to hot storage for playback or moves to cold storage options.

Cold Storage

Lower-cost object storage where files aren't instantly available. Retrieval requests take up to four hours (typically under five minutes). Best for infrequently accessed items, though retrieval incurs extra fees.

Deep Archive Storage

Object-based storage with extended retrieval times up to 12 hours and significant retrieval fees. Optimal for assets accessed no more than once yearly.

Intelligent Asset Lifecycle Management

DAM systems automatically shift data between storage types to optimise location. Current projects requiring frequent access remain in object storage, while archived documents move to cold storage. All storage types maintain redundancy across multiple physical locations to prevent data loss.

A video asset might progress through all storage classes during its lifespan, balancing accessibility with cost efficiency as usage patterns change.

Related reading

• Is It Safe To Use Digital Asset Management? — the security controls layered on top of storage.
• What to know before your DAM migration — how to bring existing assets into a tiered platform.
• Your Asset Requirements: What to Look For in a DAM Platform — storage is one of several questions to answer.