New York, NY, USA – May 25, 2010 – In a battle to differentiate from broader business software products, pure-play Digital Asset Management (DAM) vendors are rolling out advanced features to compete with Web Content Management and Document Management vendors that have been securing more business by offering "lightweight" DAM features, according to new research released today by independent analyst firm Real Story Group (formerly CMS Watch).  

Today's newly released research includes updates to twenty-two DAM vendor evaluations, including recent major releases from Autonomy and Open Text, as well as new evaluations two of open source offerings: Nuxeo and Fedora.

"We're seeing greater adoption of DAM services delivered as part of generic content management systems (CMS). Many buyers have simpler needs and don't need a full-blown DAM platform," said Theresa Regli, Principal Analyst for DAM with The Real Story Group. "As DAM applications have moved away from thick clients to web-based applications, and CMS vendors add basic image/video management features, the distinction is less clear to buyers. The confusion increases as more Web Content Management or Document Management vendors bid on DAM procurements."

Pure-play DAM vendors such as North Plains, MediaBeacon, ADAM, and Widen have responded by building a more extensive range of advanced services to differentiate themselves, including:

• Advanced long-form video & audio management with voice-to-text features, particularly applicable to broadcasters
• Multi-channel distribution functionality, with a particular new focus on eBooks
• 3-D image management, designed for product retailers that wish to convey a multi-dimensional image of their offerings

Moreover, customers who obtain DAM services from their CMS may hit a functionality wall when they require advanced transformation or transcoding services, or specialized output such as eBooks.

Real Story Group Principal Analyst Alan Pelz-Sharpe added, "For customers, there are really two markets: the longstanding DAM products, as well as ECM and WCM tools that may suffice for some scenarios."

For more about Real Story Group's vendor evaluations, consult www.realstorygroup.com.