Using Open Source Tools for DAM and Production Workflow Management

Managing digital files is hard. Have you ever:

• Inherited a folder full of randomly named Word files and wondered which were the most recent and the correct order?
• Wondered who had made changes to production files?
• Wanted to know when the last time a file was updated?
• Needed to share a manuscript between multiple authors and editors in a way that didn’t involve email or an overly complex project management system?
• Failed to archive multiple versions and formats of the same book?

Sloppy digital file management can lead to disastrous results.

In this time of growing, distributed teams, multiple versions, vendors, and formats, and digital sales, it has never been more important for publishers to actively manage their manuscripts as they move from author to production to post-production phases. This workshop will provide you with a concrete understanding of why digital files should be actively managed, the lessons we learned managing hundreds of manuscripts over the last five years, and how to get started with a pilot using the open source version control software Subversion. You’ll see how Subversion stacks up against commercial solutions that you may be considering.

From there, we’ll discuss the possibilities that come with managing your content sanely and deliberately. You’ll see how implementing a robust version control system is the vital first step in controlling and distributing your digital assets in multiple versions and formats.

(Please note that we will not be covering rights management of digital editions. If you’re interested in rights management, please check out Cali Bush’s presentation)