Risks and Limitations of Cloud-based MAM's

In my?first post?about Media Asset Management systems, I discussed how implementing them in the cloud could be transformational. Still, no one should go into this without considering the following risks and limitations:

1. Connectivity Limitations:

? ?Continuous internet access is required to access assets in the cloud. This can be problematic for users or teams living or working in areas with slow or unreliable internet access.

? ?Remote access often introduces latency, which can be a hindrance, especially in workflows that require real-time or near-real-time access to media assets, and only some MAM software companies have successfully solved this problem. For example, animation-heavy workflows will likely require complete virtualization of post-production, aka "edit-in-the-cloud."

??Even the most reliable cloud providers can experience downtime, so establishing a redundant presence in multiple data centers or regions will be a critical success factor.

2. Loss of Control:

? ?With on-premises solutions, organizations have direct control over the physical infrastructure, including hardware and networking. This control is transferred to the cloud and system providers in a cloud setup, which can slow down troubleshooting and issues remediation.

3. Security and Privacy Concerns:

? ?Storing assets in the cloud can introduce additional security vulnerabilities. While many cloud providers offer robust security measures, there's always a greater risk of breach, data loss, or unauthorized access than on-premises.

? ?Regulatory compliance can be an issue, especially when dealing with sensitive content or personal data. For example, many privacy teams ban face recognition AI Tools even though they greatly simplify tagging and search.

4. Data Transfer Costs:

? ?Most cloud service providers charge egress fees to move data out of the cloud and from cold storage, which is slow and cheap, to high availability storage, which is fast and expensive. And without a disciplined strategy, these fees could grow unpredictably. That's why on-premises solutions often have more predictable long-term costs, although their initial investment can be higher.

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5. Ecosystem Limitations:

? ?MAMs built for the Adobe ecosystem don't interface well with the AVID platform, and vice versa, and media managers should view universal compatibility claims skeptically. The novelty and complexity of these platforms favor specialists over the jacks of all trades.

Implementing a MAM in the cloud is more complex, so each media organization should thoroughly assess its specific needs, risk appetite, and operational context to decide if it is ready to implement one.