Saint-Gobain's spearheads digital transformation for its employees through embracing Digital Asset Management

‍Saint-Gobain, which specializes in the production, transformation, and distribution of construction materials, has a rich history that dates back to 1665 when it was founded by Jean-Baptiste Colbert under the name “Manufacture royale des glaces”. 

Over the centuries, the French company has grown into a global powerhouse, present in 76 countries and employing nearly 160,000 people. Its materials, integral to our homes and daily lives, are designed to provide comfort, performance, and safety, while also addressing the pressing challenges of sustainable construction. 

Today, Saint-Gobain is recognized as one of the world's top 100 industrial groups, reflecting its significant impact and leadership in the industry.

‍

The need for a new digital solution

In its continuous quest for innovation and efficiency, Saint-Gobain faced a critical challenge: the need to overhaul its asset management system. The company aimed to implement a comprehensive Digital Asset Management (DAM) solution that could serve multiple purposes—acting as a photo library and brand center. This platform was intended to organize, host, and facilitate access to the group's digital content, ensuring its continuous enrichment and streamlined distribution.

Saint-Gobain's primary objective was to create a single, centralized solution for all its media assets. This solution needed to offer advanced search and filtering capabilities for widespread use, as well as simple and efficient downloading with different access levels and configurable user profiles. The company required a platform that could handle the complexity of its operations, while ensuring ease of use and robust security measures.

‍

Choosing Wedia's Digital Asset Management solution

After a thorough evaluation process, Saint-Gobain chose Wedia's DAM system. This decision was driven by several key factors:

‍

1. Centralized management and distribution:

Wedia's DAM solution allowed Saint-Gobain to centralize the management and distribution of its media assets in a single repository. This centralization extends across the company's various media types, including the Photo Library and the Brand Center and across 19,000 active DAM users. By unifying these resources, the international company ensures consistent access and control over its digital assets.

2. Comprehensive import capabilities:

One of the critical requirements for Saint-Gobain was the ability to import all existing media and their metadata from the group's current tools. Wedia's solution facilitated this process, enabling a seamless transition and ensuring that the platform offered a consistent content repository from the moment it was launched.

‍

3. Secure distribution:

Security was a paramount concern for Saint-Gobain, especially given the need to distribute assets both internally and externally. Wedia's DAM software provided robust security features, ensuring that assets could be shared within and outside the group, without compromising their integrity or confidentiality.

‍

4. Simplified legal compliance:

Managing legal issues related to content can be complex, especially for a global company like Saint-Gobain. Wedia's solution simplified this process by making all validated assets accessible to 76 countries where Saint Gobain operates for local use and adaptations. The solution also provides tools for proper management of legal considerations, reducing the risk of compliance issues and enhancing the company's ability to manage its assets legally and efficiently.

‍

How did Wedia’s solution benefit Saint-Gobain?

Implementing Wedia's DAM solution brought several significant benefits to Saint-Gobain:

‍

1. Enhanced brand consistency and legal compliance:

The solution ensured that each brand and subsidiary within the group had its own secure content repository. This structure prevented unauthorized distribution of content between subsidiaries, thereby maintaining brand consistency and simplifying legal compliance. Each entity could manage its assets independently while adhering to the group's overall guidelines.

‍

2. Improved security:

Enhanced security features of the DAM module ensured that all digital assets were protected against unauthorized access and potential breaches. This security extended to all media types and user interactions, providing peace of mind to Saint-Gobain's IT and compliance teams.

‍

3. Easy access and efficient management:

With the DAM solution, Saint-Gobain’s subsidiaries and employees could quickly access various brand content, ensuring that the material used was always up-to-date and in compliance with brand standards. The advanced search and filtering capabilities allowed users to find the necessary assets efficiently, thereby saving time and improving productivity.

‍

4. Facilitated internal and external communication:

By centralizing its media assets, Saint-Gobain significantly improved its communication channels, both internally and externally. The unified platform made it easier to share content with stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that everyone had access to the latest materials.

‍

A centralized system for greater content control

Saint-Gobain's adoption of Wedia's DAM solution represents a significant step forward in its digital transformation journey. The centralized, secure, and efficient management of digital assets has enabled the company to enhance brand consistency, improve security, and streamline access to critical content. As a result, Saint-Gobain is better equipped to meet the demands of sustainable construction and continue its legacy of innovation and excellence in the materials industry.

This successful implementation underscores the importance of choosing the right technology partners and solutions to address complex operational challenges. 

Read the full case study here.