June 18, 2025
We have launched our new CI HUB Drive – your way to access assets stored in digital asset management (DAM) systems directly from your desktop!
This tool addresses many common challenges, for example: project managers often spend more time tracking files than managing projects. What’s more, multiple systems, complex permissions, and inconsistent versions can create unnecessary bottlenecks. This CI HUB desktop app simplifies this by mounting all your assets as local folders, letting teams search, preview, and update files directly from their desktop.
Why Asset Management Can Be a Challenge
Many organizations invest heavily in DAM, PIM, and MAM systems for seamless asset management. These platforms store essential images, videos, documents, and other content. But accessing these assets is not always simple. Employees must remember multiple logins, navigate different interfaces, and deal with varying search functionalities. This complexity slows teams down and increases the risk of using outdated or incorrect files.
A study conducted by Canto found that 33.4% of marketers dedicate nearly three weeks each year to searching for digital assets, highlighting the significant time lost due to inefficient asset management. This time could be better spent creating, reviewing, or distributing content. CI HUB Drive addresses these challenges by consolidating all your asset systems into a single, easy-to-navigate desktop interface.
What is CI HUB Drive?
CI HUB Drive is a DAM desktop connector that mounts your asset systems into local folders. It works with DAMs, PIMs, MAMs, and popular cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and SharePoint. Users can access, edit, and organize assets directly from macOS Finder without switching between multiple platforms.
The tool updates the source instantly whenever you upload, rename, or edit a file. Built-in search allows you to find assets using file names, tags, and metadata. Permissions and version history are displayed for every file, ensuring that users always access the right content.
Key Features of CI HUB Drive
From instant access to connected storage to seamless desktop integration, CI HUB Drive brings together everything teams need to stay efficient. Let’s explore its core features.
Unified Access Across Platforms
- Connect multiple DAMs, PIMs, MAMs, and cloud drives simultaneously
- Work from a single folder structure instead of multiple portals
- Reduce the need for repeated logins and navigating different interfaces
Real-Time Synchronization
- Any changes made on the desktop are immediately reflected in the source system
- Synchronize edits across teams automatically
- Maintain up-to-date content across all connected platforms
Smart Search Capabilities
- Create a folder with a search term to instantly find matching assets
- Search uses file names, tags, and metadata for accurate results
- Frequently used searches can be saved for faster access
Permission Management
- Replicates the DAM system permissions on your desktop
- Ensures team members access only the files they are authorized to use
- Helps maintain brand consistency and prevents the use of outdated assets
Simplified File Migration
- Copy and move files between different systems easily
- Supports drag-and-drop functionality for faster workflow
- Reduces the need for manual downloads and uploads
How CI HUB Drive Improves Team Productivity
With CI HUB Drive, teams no longer waste time searching for files or managing multiple logins. Everyone can access the DAM content they need directly from their desktop. This reduces bottlenecks, improves collaboration, and ensures that everyone is working with the most up-to-date assets.
Because the system maintains permissions and version history, companies can provide broader access without risking misuse. This balance helps teams work faster while keeping brand guidelines intact.
Use Cases for CI HUB Drive
Every team has its own workflow, but they all rely on fast, reliable access to assets. CI HUB Drive simplifies this by connecting each role directly to the content they need, when they need it.
Marketing Teams
Marketers often need quick access to images, videos, and other content for campaigns. CI HUB Drive lets them find and use assets instantly, reducing delays and keeping campaigns on schedule.
Design Teams
Graphic designers and video editors can work more efficiently because they can open assets directly from their desktops. This eliminates the need to download and re-upload files repeatedly.
Distributed Teams
Remote teams and agencies can collaborate without confusion. THE CI HUB desktop app ensures that everyone has access to the correct files, regardless of location, improving communication and reducing errors.
Sales Teams
Sales reps can quickly access updated brochures, presentations, and product visuals from the shared repository. This helps them stay aligned with the latest brand materials during client meetings.
Content Migration
Organizations moving between platforms can use CI HUB Drive to transfer assets easily. Drag-and-drop and copy-paste features streamline migration projects without disrupting workflows.
Project Management Teams
Project managers gain a clear view of version control and team activity. They can track progress, locate the latest files, and ensure everyone uses approved assets without switching between systems.
Agencies and External Partners
Agencies managing multiple client accounts can use CI HUB Drive to connect to different DAM or cloud systems at once. This allows quick access to each client’s assets without constant logins or downloads.
Why Desktop Access is A Game Changer
CI HUB Drive seamlessly integrates with macOS Finder. This design reduces the learning curve for employees because they continue using tools they already know. No additional training is required, which boosts adoption rates. Teams are more likely to use the DAM effectively, turning it into a central hub for company content rather than just a storage system.
The desktop integration also ensures that searches and file access are fast. Employees can leverage their native desktop search functionality to find content across all connected systems. This convenience helps maintain productivity and reduces frustration caused by switching between multiple applications.
Enhancing Brand Consistency
Maintaining brand consistency is a common challenge for companies with large teams. With the CI HUB desktop app, organizations can provide access to the right content without giving unrestricted control. Permissions are replicated from the DAM system, so team members only see what they are authorized to use.
Real-time synchronization ensures that any changes made to assets are immediately updated across all systems. This reduces the risk of outdated content being used in marketing, design, or communications materials.
Security and Compliance
CI HUB Drive respects existing security protocols in DAM, PIM, and cloud systems. Maintaining the permission structures ensures that sensitive or confidential assets are protected.
Because all file changes are logged and version history is preserved, companies can also meet compliance and audit requirements more easily. Teams can track who accessed or modified a file, providing transparency and accountability.
Optimizing Workflows with CI HUB Drive
- Centralized Access: One desktop view for all assets reduces time spent switching platforms.
- Quick File Discovery: Advanced search using metadata ensures relevant files are found faster.
- Faster Collaboration: Teams can share and edit assets in real time.
- Reduced Errors: Version history and permission management prevent mistakes and misuse.
Scalable
Getting Started with CI HUB Drive
Setting up CI HUB Drive is simple. Users can install the app on Mac and connect it to their DAM, PIM, MAM, or cloud storage accounts. Once connected, assets appear as local folders. From there, users can navigate, search, edit, and move files with the same ease as a standard desktop folder.
The tool also supports frequently used searches by allowing users to create folders named after search terms. This feature saves time for repetitive tasks and makes the search process more intuitive.
Learn how to set up CI HUB Drive and start accessing your DAM, PIM, MAM, and cloud storage directly from your desktop.
The Bottom Line
CI HUB Drive transforms how teams access and manage digital assets. By unifying multiple systems into a single desktop interface, it eliminates the inefficiencies of switching between platforms. Teams can find, edit, and collaborate on assets faster, maintain brand consistency, and reduce errors. The smart search and real-time synchronization features make content management simpler and more productive for everyone.
For organizations looking to streamline workflows and enhance productivity, CI HUB Drive offers a seamless solution to centralize, manage, and access digital assets directly from the desktop.
