Telescope

The Challenges

An Outdated DAM Limiting Performance, Support, and Scalability

Before implementing MediaValet, Telescope relied on an aging on-premise DAM that had been manually hosted in the cloud as a temporary workaround. While this approach extended the system’s lifespan, it introduced significant performance, maintenance, and support challenges that slowed production and increased operational risk.

Key challenges included:

• Limited scalability and slow performance: Running an on-prem system in a cloud environment resulted in lag, instability, and downtime, particularly as asset volumes increased.
• Minimal updates and lack of vendor support: The legacy platform had become largely unsupported, forcing Telescope to rely on external consultants for maintenance and fixes.
• Complex support chain: Issues had to be passed through a third-party partner before reaching the original vendor, significantly delaying resolution times.
• Security and maintenance concerns: Aging infrastructure created risks around unpatched vulnerabilities, inconsistent backups, and long-term reliability.

“We were running an on-prem DAM in the cloud; it was outdated, slow, and full of bugs. It just wasn’t built for the modern cloud environment.” — Rob Gibson, Digital Lead, Telescope

As production demands grew, it became clear the existing DAM was no longer fit for purpose.

The Use Case

A Secure, Metadata-Driven DAM for Internal Teams and External Partners

MediaValet now acts as Telescope’s operational hub for managing and delivering assets across internal teams and client accounts.

Implementation Highlights

• Multi-library structure: Telescope initially launched with a single large library, then transitioned to separate client libraries to strengthen permission control and privacy while maintaining centralized management.
• Metadata-first workflows: Metadata is the foundation of asset discovery, allowing teams to search and retrieve files quickly without relying on deep folder structures.
• Layered permissions: Custom user groups ensure the right assets are visible to the right internal teams and external partners.
• Client onboarding and training: Telescope completed MediaValet administrator training and now leads onboarding sessions for individual client teams.

This structure allows Telescope to support multiple clients simultaneously while maintaining security, accuracy, and efficiency.

Feature	How it Helped
Advanced Search	Enabled fast, intuitive asset discovery using descriptive search terms rather than folder browsing.
Metadata Management	Ensured consistent categorization and reliable retrieval across millions of assets.
Multi-Library Structure	Created strict separation between client libraries while maintaining unified administration
CI Hub	Allowed creative teams to access the DAM directly from design tools, ensuring use of the most up-to-date assets.
MediaValet Templating (Marq)	Replaced a legacy templating approach with a more user-friendly system offering greater control and flexibility.
API Integrations	Replicated existing workflows while unlocking greater flexibility and scalability for future improvements.
MediaValet Proofing (PageProof)	Supported proofing and approval workflows alongside MediaValet’s asset management capabilities.

Custom Integrations with PIM / PAM

For Telescope, the DAM ↔ PAM integration was designed to replicate existing workflows during launch while setting a stronger foundation for future growth.

• Easier attribute management: Adding new attributes to assets within MediaValet is now simpler and faster.
• Centralized credential management: PAM logins now use MediaValet credentials, making user access significantly easier to manage.
• Higher ceiling for innovation: While day-to-day workflows remain familiar, the integration offers greater flexibility for future enhancements without system limitations.

The Results

A Faster, More Reliable DAM Built for Long-Term Growth 

Since migrating from their legacy system, Telescope has seen immediate improvements across performance, reliability, and user confidence.

Migration at Scale

• 1+ million files migrated
• 8–10 terabytes of data transferred
• Metadata preserved and validated throughout the process

The migration was completed in close partnership with BlueprintX and MediaValet, using phased transfers and parallel system operation to avoid disruption.

“We had about 8–10 terabytes to move. The migration was incredibly smooth and well supported from both BlueprintX and MediaValet from start to finish.” — Rob Gibson, Digital Lead, Telescope

Faster, Smoother Access

Asset searches and downloads now take seconds rather than minutes. Teams rely on metadata-driven discovery instead of slow, folder-based navigation.

Modern, Cloud-Native Reliability

Performance issues, downtime, and maintenance concerns have been eliminated. Teams trust that assets are secure, current, and accessible from anywhere.

Improved Confidence and Version Control

Creative and production teams know they’re always working with the latest approved asset, reducing errors and rework.

Simplified Client Management

Segmented libraries have strengthened client privacy and made it easier to support multiple accounts simultaneously.

“The biggest change was search. Being able to just describe an asset and find it right away is a game changer. Everything’s faster, more natural, and more intuitive.” — Rob Gibson, Digital Lead, Telescope

Next Steps

What’s next? 

Want to learn how MediaValet can help improve your organization’s operations? Reach out to one of our DAM experts today to find out.