Image Database Software | Conclusions
Although our test candidates represent a wide
range of different applications – from
single-user to multi-user, server-based
solutions – there are certain recognizable
trends throughout the entire spectrum. The
products with built-in RAW converters offered
the best overall performance and ease of use,
and are hard to beat when it comes to setting
up an end-to-end digital photo workflow. Of
these, the fully integrated products – i.e.,
Apertureand Lightroom– are a better option
than Media Proand digiKam, which still have
a way to go before they can be classed as true
all-in-one tools.
The downside of this type of application is
the lack of any networking functionality or the
ability to give multiple users access to the
assets managed by the database. However, it
is often possible to give remote users read-only
access using administrator permissions. Some
software manufacturers don’t offer much
information on how to do this, but many useful
tutorials can be found on the Web.
Single-user image database solutions
(likeiMatch)that have no built-in editing
features are of little use to today’s
photographers. Using an external image
editor often hampers the overall workflow,and the search functionality built into the
likes of Lightroom is more than sufficient
for most users’ daily needs. The days of
single-user, pure database products appear
to be well and truly numbered.
Teamwork is key in commercial
environments, and multi-user functionality
often entails a reduction in user-friendliness.
Sorting and processing a few gigabytes of
material can be trickier within this kind of
setup, whereas these types of applications
come into their when managing and
distributing marketable material. If you have
the financial resources, embedding open
database architecture in company workflows
is a relatively simple matter, although if you
need to combine multiple users with your
own fully functional Web interface, you will
need to acquire a dedicated server and an
appropriately sized license pack. If such
startup investments are prohibitive, it is
definitely worth taking a look at cloud-based
solutions like eyebase mediasuite.
Performance is generally a little slower than
conventional server-based solutions, but if
your users are accessing your assets via the
Internet anyway, the difference will be
negligible.For small to medium-sized enterprises, we
recommend a two-pronged approach, using
a local solution such as Lightroomto prepare
and process your material and a multi-user,
network-enabled system like Cumulus
or mediasuite for marketing and
distribution purposes. This might appear
complicated at first, but the costs and effort
involved will quickly pay off in a professional,
multi-user environment.
Conversely, using a pro-grade database
application in a single-user environment is like
going to the corner store in a Porsche. (jr)Conclusions
RAW format compatibility
Importing 128 different RAW formats (1.66 GB). The database
should be able to display correctly rendered thumbnails and
full-screen previews. Simply displaying thumbnails embedded in
the image metadata is not sufficient.
Photo format compatibility
Importing 28 files with various formats created using Photoshop
(1.17 GB, included on this issue’s free DVD). Most of these are
standard photo formats that can be processed by a range of
applications. We expect the test software to be capable of
displaying correctly rendered thumbnails and full-screen previews.File import (copy)
Copying the imported files to a folder managed by the database.
Usually performed via virtual links – embedding via BLOb or
similar procedures not expected.
File import (linked)
Generating links to the existing files without copying them to a
new location.Cloud export
Exporting database assets via a built-in interface to a cloud-based
Web album service (Picasa, Flickr etc.).Geotags
Display and editing of geotags using a built-in or associated map
service. Display of numerical GPS coordinates alone is not
sufficient.Face recognition
Automatic tagging via face recognition.LAN server
Database can be used in full server mode (i.e., full read/write
access for all users) on a LAN. Client access essential, browser
access not sfficient.WAN server
Database can be set up as a server by the main user. Subsidiary
users can access assets via client application or browser.Cloud server
Manufacturer hosts WAN server for the customer, who doesn’t
have to provide own infrastructure as a result. Simple export to
cloud-based albums is not sufficient – full access for admin, users
and customers (if required) should be possible.What Our Tests Involved