Zahnärztliche Fach-Verlag started to engage with the topic of image and media management several years ago. However, the system that was previously tried out back then by the publisher was unable to meet expectations. "It was very complicated," reports Mario Elsner, who is responsible for the cavok project today as the person responsible at ZFV for graphics. "When we started looking for a DAM system again in mid-2016, we did not have a live image or product information database."

But an important part of ZFV management's 'Strategy 2020' was for various entities in different locations to be brought together, and through uniform media management or desktop publishing. The Kleinofen system house from Düsseldorf gave them the drive to engage with this requirement more closely with cavok. Kleinofen established itself as an IT service provider for medium-sized companies in the pre-press and media industries in the Rhine-Ruhr region decades ago. As a partner of the cavok manufacturer PEAK-14, which is based in Darmstadt, the Kleinofen specialists were of course very familiar with the modern DAM system.

Cavok was first presented to ZFV in September 2016. "Even after the first presentation, we had the impression that cavok would work a lot better than anything we'd seen before," reports Elsner. "The interface was much more slimline and not as clut-tered. It doesn't overwhelm the user. The system appeared to be spontaneously responsive - also due to how workflows could be implemented."

One of the special features of digital asset manage-ment with cavok is that the system can be deeply integrated into other software solutions like de-sign programmes, web shops or content manage-ment systems. This is because one of the system's strengths is its architecture, which is based on a SOAP server (simple object access protocol). The intentionally slim core connects a layer of open source modules. This gives the system the ability to adapt and integrate, which barely any other DAM solution can offer.

"From the beginning, one of our requirements was that we didn't just want a DAM system to manage images. We wanted it to be an editing system too," explains Elsner. "The combination of cavok and In-Copy means we were able to do exactly that - so it's a bit like a mini editing system. Dedicated, expensive publishing systems certainly do more," says Elsner, "but a lot can be achieved with cavok - at a reasonable price." InCopy is a text editor programme that Adobe offers specifically for its layout and typesetting programme InDesign. One big advantage of InCopy is that it allows editors to write in text fields very precisely and in specific lines. ZKV is now mapping this editorial workflow in cavok - in a central location.

"This means we'll be saving a lot of formatting time and correction loops," reports Elsner. "cavok allows us to successively work through and complete tasks, whilst breaking work steps down into parts." It's even possible for copywriters and layout artists to work together either with a time delay or in par-allel. "Today, graphic designers can lay things out in the very first manuscript and complete it up until the printing stage," says Elsner. The cavok/InDesign integration also allows us to work in a way that is forward-looking and we are able to prepare things in advance. "So for example, we can complete a whole stretch of work for a journal in spring, even if it's not going to be released until autumn."

Another advantage of a central DAM system that maps DTP workflows is the overview that the publisher has through it. "Without cavok, we wouldn't have any transparency over the processing status of a file - which is something we can view at a glance today in the user interface. cavok is a great management tool for us," says Elsner. The system doesn't just give you control over the status, but also over licences, versions and even data protection, for ex-ample for images relating to people. "Each user group had new ideas about useful metadata," reports Elsner, "editors suggested including captions or adding processing editors to the metadata." In contrast to traditional DAM systems, cavok isn't just a master of well-known metadata standards EXIF, IPTC and XMP. Instead, it has its own highly flexibly metadata model that can be used to set up everything needed for internal processes. Adding and setting up metadata fields are changes that Elsner made himself. "Using simple configuration, you can implement lots things in the system yourself and also customise things very quickly," he says. And if you need support from the manufacturer, it's quickly available.

Mario Elsner's conclusion is very positive. "Many try powerful editorial systems for DTP, which involve high costs and a lot of effort," says Elsner. "We deliberately went the other way, by integrating cavok and InCopy. This means we have more modest options - but we also use them." ZFV is consistently pushing forward digitalisation: in the medium term, all departments, locations and external employees will be connected to the central DAM system. "It's fun to work with the system and improve workflows," Elsner finds. "I'm already excited to see where things will go in the future."