How Bidfood got a grip on thousands of images
Interview with Anouk Genders, Creative Business Partner at Bidfood. "WeTransfer? That sometimes took us three quarters of an hour. Now we share images with one click. That gives so much peace of mind."
From fragmentation to control
At Bidfood, it's all about fresh, fast and professional delivery. But how do you keep up that pace when your visual assets are stored everywhere and nowhere? Anouk knows all about that. As Creative Business Partner and part of the Inhouse Studio, she is responsible for safeguarding Bidfood's visual identity. Together with Comrads, she transformed a fragmented process into a solid Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Brand Management environment; the Media Bank.
When Anouk Genders started at Bidfood in 2019, images were on personal laptops. Large files went via WeTransfer. Colleagues depended on her team. "We often got requests for our logos. Everything went through us," Anouk says.
Anouk clearly outlines the initial situation: "Everything was on hard drives or laptops, and colleagues were dependent on us. Even a simple logo request went through us repeatedly." The need for a centralized solution was clear. Not only to streamline content distribution, but also to comply with privacy legislation: "We also work with quitclaims that should not just be visible. Those are now safe and protected in our Media Bank." The desire? One secure, central place where all visual content could be managed, shared and reused. "We needed access management, and above all: overview."
From wish to reality: the Media Bank
With Comrads' Digital Asset Management and Brand Management platform - known at Bidfood as the Media Bank - that overview came about. Not only because of the technology, but also because of the approach.
"The nice thing is: the contact with Comrads is personal and direct. An app and it's taken care of. No cumbersome processes."
Three building blocks for visual grip at Bidfood
With Mediabank came the solution Bidfood was looking for. No technical patch-ups, but a future-proof Digital Asset Management (DAM) and Brand Management system. And above all: an approach that works. Comrads implemented several powerful modules at Bidfood for this purpose:
Product Library - Suppliers upload their packshots themselves in the Product Asset Management (PAM) module after which all product information is automatically retrieved from the PIM system. The images then go directly to the right department for integration into the webshop. Fewer mails, more speed.
Image bank - One central place for all visuals. Colleagues can now search and download visuals independently in the Digital Asset Management (DAM) module, without having to call on the Inhouse Studio team each time. This has greatly reduced dependency and provides more speed and self-reliance in the organization. In addition, the Image bank bank offers the ability to download files in different formats. Whereas the team used to regularly have to convert Photoshop files to PNG, for example, colleagues now choose the desired format themselves. This saves a lot of time and prevents unnecessary manual operations.
Brand Portal - Bidfood's visual bible. From color coding and typography to logos and tone of voice. Includes download options and guidelines for use.
The newest addition? The Brand Templates module that Bidfood is currently experimenting with. With this module, colleagues will soon be able to create content themselves based on fixed templates. The design team then only has to do a final check. The expectation is that this will relieve the team of a considerable burden and at the same time give colleagues more grip and insight into what their expressions will look like visually.
Adoption = ambassadorship
Adoption of a Media Bank hinges on usage. Bidfood took a pragmatic approach: the Inhouse Studio became an internal ambassador. Colleagues who asked for logos were no longer sent files, but a referral to the Image bank.
"We deliberately stopped solving for others. As a result, usage has increased tremendously."
The result? From multiple logo requests per week to just a single one per month. And an organization that independently knows its way around the visual toolbox.
The ROI is in peace of mind, speed and security
A DAM system requires investment - but pays off structurally. "It's hard to express in euros, but the time we save is enormous," says Anouk. "Just switching from WeTransfer to direct downloads makes the difference between frustration and flow." In addition, the issue of privacy and security is crucial. Bidfood works with photos that are subject to quitclaims. "We are not allowed to just send those images via Dropbox or WeTransfer. With the Media Bank, we know we're working AVG-proof."
A partner who both moves with you and dares to challenge you
What makes the difference for Bidfood? The cooperation - and the attitude. No anonymous helpdesk or standard support, but direct lines of communication with people who think along with you, cooperate and make adjustments where necessary. "Erwin calls regularly to ask if everything is still working properly. And Laura is always available - even when she is busy. That inspires confidence," says Anouk. This cooperation is both personal and professional. And that makes room for honest feedback. "I think you are sometimes too modest at Comrads. You have gold in your hands - especially when it comes to privacy, security and accessibility. Many companies are still insufficiently aware of this. Above all, be more visible in this."
Anouk is also not afraid to point out areas for improvement. For example, she misses an accessible reference book for colleagues: "We did provide internal explanations, but after that there is little documentation available to look something up independently." The appearance of the Image bank also comes up: "It works perfectly, but visually there is still room for innovation." Exactly that open conversation, the space to be critical and improve together, makes Comrads not a supplier for Bidfood - but a real partner. One that stands beside you, even when something could be better.
Finally: lessons for other organizations
What can other organizations learn from Bidfoot's experience with the Media Bank? According to Anouk, it revolves around three things:
1. Look beyond storage
A DAM is not an archive, but a system for control, efficiency and brand consistency. It prevents errors and speeds up operational processes.
2. Provide one central source
One place for all current and well-managed content prevents confusion, duplicate files and unnecessary work.
3. Turn your team into ambassadors
Adoption only works if you actively engage users. Bidfood deliberately chose an approach where colleagues themselves are referred to the Media Bank - and it works. Anouk's tip to doubters? "Just do it. Don't wait too long. And make sure you have people who are actively using and promoting the system. Then you will see how much peace of mind and power it provides."
Also ready for a smart, secure and scalable approach to your marketing assets?
At Comrads, we think with you - from analysis to adoption. Like at Bidfood, where the Media Bank has now become indispensable in daily operations. Discover it for yourself and schedule a no-obligation demo. Or delve a little deeper into our capabilities and customer cases first.