Organizations today depend heavily on cloud storage and DAM solutions as one-stop stores for presentations, documents, and creative assets. Yet, Microsoft 365 users often lose time switching between applications and external source systems to locate, download, and re-import the files.
The current approach to online collaboration can significantly slow down productivity, increase the risk of using outdated or unlicensed content, and introduce unnecessary friction into everyday workflows. To address these challenges, an in-app connectivity solution is essential. By integrating all repositories seamlessly into Microsoft 365, teams can remain focused and work more efficiently.
Productivity in Microsoft 365 depends on access to the correct content quickly. Without seamless integration, teams can waste hours navigating library repositories, cloud drives, and folders without even knowing if they are working on the latest or compatible version.
An integrated workflow makes disconnected files an end-to-end experience for all Microsoft 365 users. By directly connecting DAM and other repositories into Office applications, teams can add approved assets in real time, ensure brand consistency, and reduce manual repetitive tasks. This enhances online collaboration, brand compliance, and allows business teams to focus on providing value.
An advanced Microsoft 365 DAM connector offers a single panel that brings DAM content to the surface inside of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint. Once installed, the panel allows users to browse images, templates, graphics and text stored on any connected source such as Dropbox, Bynder, or Brandfolder, all without leaving their document. CI HUB add-in aggregates assets from multiple sources into one panel, so everything approved is visible in one place.
Assets surfaced inside the panel typically include:
| Task | Traditional Workflow (Before) | Connected Workflow (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Finding & inserting assets | Time-consuming, multiple searches across drives | Quick in-app search in a single panel |
| Updating brand assets | Manual, slide-by-slide or doc-by-doc replacement | One-click update across all files |
| Ensuring compliance | Risk of outdated logos or missing licenses | Metadata and license info attached automatically |
In Word, teams can build blogs, proposals, reports or letters with all the right logos and captions at hand. The Microsoft Word Add-in allows quick insertion of templates and approved imagery, keeping documents audit-ready and on-brand.
How-to (Word):
Presentations often need the latest product assets. A salesperson, for example, can prepare a pitch using current product photos and then refresh all slides with a single action when new visuals are published. This ensures consistency across every slide.
How-to (PowerPoint):
In Excel, branded, traceable visuals enhance reports and dashboards. With a Microsoft Excel DAM connector, product images, charts, or graphics can be inserted directly from the DAM and linked back to the original source for version control.
How-to (Excel):
When writing emails, teams can confirm that each message has the proper branding. Authorized banners, headers, and attachments can be brought straight from the DAM, with communications remaining consistent and compliant.
How-to (Outlook):
With the CI HUB add-in for SharePoint becomes a centralized portal for all your digital assets. Teams can securely access files, check versions, and add content from DAM, MAM, or PIM systems directly into SharePoint libraries. Permissions are mirrored, so users only see what they’re allowed to, making collaboration simple and secure.
How-to (SharePoint):
The CI HUB Connector Pro transforms how teams create, manage, and update presentations in PowerPoint. Instead of navigating between folders, cloud drives, or standard libraries, users have over 70 connected systems at their fingertips within PowerPoint. With drag-and-drop functionality, rendition support for creative files, and Smart Linking for automatic updates, teams can focus on storytelling while CI HUB keeps every slide brand-compliant and current.
How-to (PowerPoint):
Connecting Microsoft 365 apps to a DAM turns fragmented processes into a seamless workflow. Teams gain direct access to all branded assets inside Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Using the CI HUB add-in software, businesses can connect Microsoft to DAM systems and even extend to other cloud connectors. This streamlined approach helps business teams and marketing operations groups save time, maintain compliance, and deliver on-brand work across every channel.