Improving Findability for Digital Assets at a Major US Food Company

Challenge

An improved taxonomy and new metadata model to support a new DAM system

With its rigid folder-based structure, too many metadata fields, and limited search capability, the company’s DAM system had become unreliable and unusable. Many business groups had stopped using it altogether. The client wanted an updated taxonomy and metadata model to facilitate migration to a new DAM and ensure that it would be searchable and usable for employees seeking archived and current US and Canadian marketing and packaging assets.

Approach

Metadata Model Development

To develop a metadata model for the new DAM system, we worked closely with project stakeholders. We streamlined the existing metadata model by cutting one third of the fields without sacrificing functionality. Mindful of their busy schedules, we created the new schema iteratively in working sessions and in tandem with the DAM vendor when possible.

We made sure to create all deliverables in formats that would be compatible with the new DAM system. The schema included element names, element types, data source, definitions, and metadata attributes.

Taxonomy Optimization

Through a series of discovery workshops and the development of a taxonomy framework, we identified a set of requirements for the new DAM system. We evaluated each of the existing taxonomies against these requirements (search, asset browse, workflow, etc.).

We then adapted the existing taxonomies to suit user needs and the chosen platform, and developed new taxonomies that we had identified in the metadata schema.

Cross-mapping

To enable the client to migrate existing metadata and taxonomy from the existing DAM system to the new one, we developed a cross-mapping table for migration planning and scripting.

We mapped existing metadata fields to new fields, where possible, and mapped existing taxonomy values to new one as needed. We also facilitated conversations between the client and the DAM vendor to ensure the content architecture was successfully deployed during implementation.

Solution

Dovecot provided a comprehensive solution for digital asset management, including a clear lifecycle process from asset creation to retirement. Beyond providing an improved metadata model and taxonomy, Dovecot facilitated conversations between Widen and the client to make sure the new DAM system was implemented to meet the client’s requirements.

Following the success of this project, the client engaged Dovecot to help with content tagging, user documentation, and taxonomy governance work.

Facilitated transition to the new DAM system
Increase in downloads/month
33% reduction in metadata fields, with no loss of functionality