Distribute photos and videos fast & securely: a comparison of 4 well-known content distribution solutions

Companies that want to maximize their media reach not only need high-quality content, but also the right tools and strategies for content distribution. However, the requirements can vary greatly depending on the type of company. These requirements can be assigned to six areas.

In this article, we will first briefly explain each of these areas. We then present solutions from well-known providers and evaluate them with regard to the various requirement areas.

On this basis, you should then be able to answer the crucial question for yourself. It reads:

Which solution best suits my company’s content distribution strategy?

Requirement areas

1. Security

Whether you just want to share individual images, large video files or thousands of photos, data security is of utmost importance for almost every company, especially when sensitive content needs to be shared or embargo periods need to be observed.

The existence of comprehensive user and access management is therefore absolutely essential in business solutions. This is the only way to ensure that only authorized individuals or precisely defined target groups can access the shared content.

2. Versatility

A solution is versatile if it can accommodate a wide range of application scenarios and usage requirements. Versatility is determined by the following aspects, among others:

• • Functional scope: quantity of tasks to be performed by a software
  • Compatibility: support for as many file types and formats as possible
  • Platform independence (portability): availability on different devices and operating systems
  • Integration capability: connection options via connector, REST API, SFTP, etc.
  • Accessibility: multilingual usability and digital accessibility according to WCAG

3. Data quality

For professional users, the loss of image or video quality due to lossy storage is unacceptable. For this reason, it is important to choose a solution that always retains the original quality of uploaded files, even if they are lossless TIF or RAW formats (photos) or very large video files.

4. Scalability

The capacities that companies need for content distribution are very different and develop dynamically. A professional solution must therefore be able to handle a growing user base and increasing data volumes in such a way that there is no loss of performance. If necessary, storage capacities and other server services must be able to be expanded quickly. Delays in retrieving content quickly lead to frustration for the end user and should remain an absolute exception, even under high load.

5. Intelligence

This requirement area concerns the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the management and distribution of visual media. By automatically recognizing people, objects, logos or lettering in images or videos, existing media assets can be accessed much more quickly and accurately (see also AI-based content delivery).

It is now even possible to use natural language when searching for specific image motifs – without the need for corresponding metadata. Semantic relationships between mapped objects are recognized on the basis of CLIP and made accessible to the search in vectorized form. This maximizes the findability of image files and eliminates the need for time-consuming manual keywording and labeling.

Thanks to the methods described here, image material can now be enriched with information and delivered in real time. However, there are only a few providers who have already integrated these technologies into their solutions. The Media Hub from teamnext would be such a solution.

6. Analytics

This area includes the evaluation of the various distribution channels. Companies that want to optimize their content distribution strategy cannot avoid conducting comprehensive analyses (based on tracking data). For example, you have to ask yourself how different target groups interact with the content, which content achieves which reach and how high the rate is of those who not only download or stream content, but actively recommend it via social media.

Such information can be particularly important for companies with strong brands. After all, the high cost of creating the media should be worth it.

Professional solutions are therefore equipped with an analytics module or offer a corresponding connection option.

Presentation and evaluation of known solutions

Below we present four different content sharing platforms in alphabetical order. We will limit ourselves to solutions for business customers. Well-known consumer apps such as Google Photos or Apple Photos are therefore not covered here.

Dropbox

Dropbox is a widely used cloud storage service that is aimed at both companies and private users. We assume that a business version is available.

Security

Advantages:

• • Data transmission according to TLS encryption protocol. Data at rest is also stored in encrypted form (AES-256).
  • Business and Enterprise editions are offered with professional user and access management.
  • Two-factor authentication possible.

Disadvantages:

• • Globally distributed data centers (own and leased capacities from AWS). It cannot be guaranteed that the data will not leave a particular country. However, exclusive use of servers in the EU is possible for an additional charge.
  • Vulnerability to cyber attacks: At Dropbox Inc. sensitive data (including email addresses and password hashes) of 68 million users was stolen in the past (2012).

Versatility

Advantages:

• • Platform-independent: available on various devices and operating systems.
  • integrates with numerous applications, including those from Microsoft, Google and Adobe, and can be connected to DAM systems from other providers.
  • Multilingual and accessible use possible.

Disadvantages:

• • No access via FTP client possible.
  • No specialization in the management of media files. It is therefore not always possible to display or play media assets.
  • Existing metadata can only be viewed but not edited.
  • No functions for managing image rights (licenses) or declarations of consent.

Data quality ✓

Dropbox does not compress files. Photos and videos retain their full quality.

Scalability ✓

In the Business Plus tariff, the storage space is limited to 1,000 TB. However, there are also individual enterprise tariffs for large companies, which can only be viewed on request. It can be assumed that much higher capacities can be booked if required. Dropbox claims to have an infrastructure with capacities beyond the exabyte threshold. In addition, further resources from AWS can be integrated in the event of bottlenecks.

Intelligence

Advantages:

• • You can search for image content using keywords, even if no metadata has been created. The following file types are supported: GIF, JPEG, PNG. This form of image search is available in English, German and five other languages. Details here.

Disadvantages:

• • No individual AI training to recognize people or specific objects.
  • No smart albums to automate content distribution.

Analytics ✓

The analytics dashboard for Dropbox teams can be used to evaluate statistics on uploads, downloads or file processing. The dashboard also provides a view of which files and folders have been shared within the team and which have been shared with external users.

Conclusion

Dropbox Business is well suited for business customers who want to securely store and share files and documents in the cloud, but do not require automated content distribution. Dropbox only partially fulfills the extended requirements of a professional solution for media files.

Media Hub (teamnext)

The teamnext | Media Hub is a cloud-based media management solution* made in Germany that is characterized by innovative AI functions and meets the highest data protection requirements. The Media Hub is used by numerous professional sports organizations, medium-sized companies in the GSA region and large organizations within the EU.

* This is also referred to as a DAM solution. DAM stands for digital asset management.

Security

Advantages:

• • Encryption during transfer (TLS) and storage (AES-256).
  • Comprehensive user and access management.
  • Data storage in the EU or, if desired, exclusively in Germany in order to guarantee compliance with regional data protection standards.
  • Possibility of an on-premises installation for highest security requirements.

Disadvantages:

• • As of yet, two-factor authentication only possible in combination with SSO (e.g. Azure AD).

Versatility

Advantages:

• • Platform-independent use via modern browsers (also as progressive web app) without the need for installation.
  • Intuitive user interface, which is also suitable for less IT-savvy users.
  • Special functions for managing media files and license rights.
  • Integrates with numerous applications from Microsoft, Google and Adobe, using the CI Hub plug-in.
  • Customizable media portal for the delivery of content to external stakeholders.
  • Connection via API to webshops and other systems possible, e.g. PIM, ERP, etc.
  • Access via FTP client possible.
  • Multilingual and accessible use possible.

Disadvantages:

• • Not suitable for private individuals or small businesses: the Media Hub is a professional SaaS solution with innovative AI services for business customers (professional sports organizations, SMEs, large companies).

Data quality ✓

Preservation of the original quality of uploaded media, even with lossless saved photo and video formats.

Scalability ✓

No limitation on storage space. This can be extended at any time. Solely use of state-of-the-art infrastructures from certified providers that can cope with growing data volumes and user numbers.

Intelligence

Advantages:

• • Use of AI to automatically recognize people and objects in images and videos.
  • Automatic tagging of image material.
  • Individual AI training to recognize certain people or specific objects.
  • Smart albums for automating content distribution in real time.
  • Intelligent search functions and many options for organizing files efficiently.

Disadvantages:

• • High-quality training data must be available for optimum results.

Analytics ✓

The Media Hub provides detailed insights into user interactions and content usage: How often and by whom is media content viewed, downloaded or shared? Thanks to the integrated analytics module, such questions can be answered quickly and accurately.

Conclusion

The teamnext | Media Hub is a powerful media orchestration and management solution for organizations that place high demands on the fast and secure distribution of media files. It stands for maximum security, intelligent organizational tools and easy accessibility. For companies that cannot compromise on media management and distribution, the Media Hub is an ideal solution.

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive is pre-installed on all Windows devices, making it one of the most widely used cloud storage services. In combination with other Microsoft products, the version for business customers (OneDrive for Business) offers some advantages.

Security

Advantages:

• • Encryption during transfer (TLS) and storage (AES-256).
  • Advanced access management, including two-factor authentication.

Disadvantages:

• • As with many large providers, there is a risk that data will be stored and processed across national borders. For an additional charge, however, the data can at least be kept in the EU.

Versatility

Advantages:

• • High compatibility with different file types.
  • Seamless integration into the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • High portability: available for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
  • Multilingual and accessible use possible.

Disadvantages:

• • No specialization in the management of media files. It is therefore not always possible to display or play media assets.
  • Existing metadata can only be viewed but not edited.
  • No functions for managing image rights (licenses) or declarations of consent.

Data quality ✓

OneDrive does not compress files. The original quality of the uploaded content is retained.

Scalability ✓

OneDrive can be easily scaled through various subscription options that offer additional storage space. The business version provides up to 25 TB per user.

Intelligence

Advantages:

• • Integration of AI tools for image recognition and processing, including auto-tagging and image search in natural language.

Disadvantages:

• • No individual AI training to recognize specific objects.
  • No smart albums to automate content distribution.

Analytics

Advantages:

• • OneDrive offers simple analysis tools that provide insights into the use of and interaction with shared files.

Disadvantages:

• • The analysis tools may be too limited for complex marketing strategies and detailed evaluations.

Conclusion

Microsoft OneDrive is a robust solution for companies that require close integration with Office applications and value a scalable and secure platform. However, OneDrive does not meet the extended requirements for a professional solution for media management and content distribution.

WeTransfer

WeTransfer is a cloud service for transferring large files or data volumes. The basic version is free of charge (ad-financed). As a result, WeTransfer is also popular with private users. However, we explore only the possibilities of a Pro or Premium version.

Security

Advantages:

• • Encryption during transfer (TLS) and storage (AES-256).
  • Two-factor authentication and password-protected downloads possible.

Disadvantages:

• • No extended user administration.
  • Data centers in the EU and the USA (capacities from AWS). It cannot be guaranteed that the data will not leave a particular country.

Versatility

Advantages:

• • WeTransfer is platform-independent and requires no software installation.
  • The Pro version allows file sizes of 200 GB per transfer, in the Premium version there is no size limit when sending.
  • Multilingual and accessible use possible.

Disadvantages:

• • Hardly any integration options in third-party systems.
  • No access via FTP client possible.
  • No editing options for photos and videos.
  • No functions for managing image rights (licenses) or declarations of consent.

Data quality ✓

WeTransfer does not compress the files. The original quality is retained.

Scalability ✓

The storage space in the Premium version is initially limited to 5 TB. However, this can be increased on request. In this respect, WeTransfer is definitely scalable.

Intelligence ✗

Complete lack of AI-based functions for media management and distribution.

Analytics

Advantages:

• • WeTransfer offers basic tracking functions that show when a file has been uploaded and downloaded.

Disadvantages:

• • The analytics module does not provide in-depth insights and performance metrics that would be helpful for larger marketing or sales strategies.

Conclusion

WeTransfer is ideal for creative users who need a simple solution for sending large files. However, WeTransfer is not suitable for users who require advanced integration options, comprehensive analysis data and AI-based media management functions. For companies with such requirements, we recommend the Media Hub from teamnext.

The solution for professionals: test the Media Hub!

Have you become curious and would like to do the practical test? Then start now with a free 14-day test phase for the teamnext | Media Hub. Alternatively, you can also book an appointment for a personal online demo with one of our experts.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us personally. You can find our contact information here: teamnext.de/en/contact