Software Consulting Services (SCS)
An Evolutionary Journey in Asset Management

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and the tools required to remain ahead of the curve are following suit. But when it comes to harnessing the power of technology in the digital asset management space, very few companies have strategically adapted and reinvented quite like Software Consulting Services (SCS).

Established nearly half a century ago by Martha Cichelli, who was later joined by her husband, Richard Cichelli, SCS has continuously been at the intersection of technological innovation and the publishing sector. Over time, the company strengthened its strategic partnership with FotoWare, a Norwegian digital asset management tool, and transitioned to subscription-based software models, aligning with broader industry shifts.

SCS has kept its sights set on innovation at every turn. By embracing cutting-edge AI technology, the team has introduced applications that autonomously produce print newspapers and intuitively manage digital assets. This focus on tried-and-true solutions for digital asset management, along with creative workflow transformation, is what truly sets SCS apart. With tools like FotoWare in its arsenal, it ensures its diverse client base is confident about organizing their digital and content assets.

Now, with an eye toward the future, the team is poised to revolutionize data visualization, aiming to present models in captivating 2D, 3D, and virtual reality formats. As it navigates the complex digital landscape, SCS' adaptability and commitment to innovation set it apart as trailblazers.

The True SCS Value

In a landscape as dynamic as the digital one, organizations often find themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume and complexity of managing their online assets. Clients approach SCS with files scattered across systems and lack any form of cross-departmental collaboration, which cripples project efficiency as teams scramble to find specific assets.

SCS combats this issue with software solutions that pivot around efficient automation and exceptional digital asset management. Leveraging a potent suite of products like FotoWare, it enables clients to efficiently archive and manage images, videos, and recordings, bringing organization to what might otherwise be a chaotic array of files. Instead of letting assets languish in hidden folders, SCS ensures they are tagged with precise metadata, so retrieval is swift and efficient.

SCS and FotoWare work in tandem to enhance the creative process to spur intentional compiling of assets for a certain purpose, without relying on the process of simply bulk locating and archiving.

This goal is achieved by ingesting and tagging various assets that may currently reside in dispersed, unshared silos. By funneling these digital items into the correct channels, the entire workflow is improved. Speed, efficiency, and the unique creative process are paramount, and SCS's solutions fit seamlessly to address urgent needs.

“To ensure that clients derive maximum value, we provide both workflow consultation and analysis, as well as the FotoWare software for managing assets,” says Kurt Jackson, owner and managing member of Software Consulting Services. “Then, we start the process of digitizing and tagging everything to present those assets to the public.”

SCS and FotoWare: Rising in the Publishing World

While it serves a variety of industries today, SCS's origin story is deeply rooted in the newspaper publishing space. Richard, a computer scientist, introduced one of the pioneering digital publishing systems known as Layout-80. This innovation drew inspiration from his work for the News Media Alliance, formerly the Newspaper Association of America. Over the next decade, Richard spearheaded the development of numerous other publishing software tools, addressing different facets of the newspaper production process.

Around the dawn of the new millennium, SCS began its collaboration with FotoWare. Initially targeted at the newspaper and publishing industry, it soon recognized the broader applications of this tool. The digital era meant businesses across the spectrum were grappling with vast amounts of data—images, videos, recordings, and more. FotoWare presented a highly robust, configurable solution that could be applied to any team’s needs, from the creative to marketing departments. Fast forward to today, SCS caters to various major companies in the U.S., including giants like Occidental Petroleum, Lee Enterprises and Newsday. This remarkable achievement has solidified the company’s reputation as a reliable digital asset management provider for the publishing sector.

The Future of Data Visualization

Keeping pace with technology, SCS is ramping up its innovation efforts and embarking on a new path centered on monitoring and managing both fixed and digital assets like workflows, servers, and other hardware. The upcoming product, which is projected to lead to the birth of a new company, promises a revolutionary approach to data visualization.

Imagine a command center where businesses can view all aspects of their business and operations in real-time, visualized using 2D, 3D, and virtual reality technologies. Exciting animation will make data presentation even more engaging and visually appealing. This high-level dashboard, coupled with predictive AI, will be able to catch potential server failures early on and analyze historical usage patterns to optimize performance. To SCS, this venture is about deriving actionable insights faster and more easily. The core benefit is that companies can achieve a holistic view of all their operational metrics, fostering proactive responses to remain agile and ahead of their competition.

This move was more than just a change in revenue model; it represented a broader shift in SCS' approach. The team began offering turnkey solutions, utilizing SCS and FotoWare software to manage their clients' assets, workflows, cloud infrastructure, and more, morphing from a traditional software developer and reseller to a comprehensive SaaS service provider for businesses of all kinds.

SCS Solutions in Practice

One of the most telling indicators of a company's proficiency lies in its numerous client success stories. For SCS, a story involving a company called CherryRoad Media is one of many that stand out. In a turbulent publishing environment, where many smaller newspaper outlets were teetering on the precipice of closure, CherryRoad Media made a bold move by purchasing over 85 of these newspaper companies. SCS didn't just provide software to the client; it revolutionized CherryRoad Media's editorial and advertising production workflows.

Through automation, content management, and efficient handling of images and ads, the company could manage their burgeoning portfolio with fewer resources than many of their counterparts. These acquired newspapers now are profitable or will be in the next few months largely due to the efficiency and automation capabilities introduced by SCS and the economy of scale provided by CherryRoad Media. This case underscores the team’s commitment to revitalizing and redefining the publishing sector, proving that with the right tools and vision, even traditional industries can adapt and flourish in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

In Order For Any Organization To Stay Vibrant, Internship Programs Are Key. There Should Be Exercises In Creativity, Where Interns Are Given Autonomy To Create Products And Work On Concepts They Identify As Important

Empowering the Next Generation

As the application of digital asset management expands, bringing in new perspectives and fresh talent is essential. SCS understands this profoundly. Over the past few years, the team has renewed its focus on developing the next generation, bolstering its existing internship program. These interns are consistently empowered to lead creative projects, with many of the company's recent innovations rising out of this program.

“To Ensure That Clients Derive Maximum Value, We Provide Both Workflow Consultation And Analysis, As Well As The Fotoware Software For Managing Assets. Then, We Start The Process Of Digitizing And Tagging Everything To Present Those Assets To The Public”

“In order for any organization to stay vibrant, internship programs are key,” says Jackson. “There should be exercises in creativity, where interns are given autonomy to create products and work on concepts they identify as important.”

From its humble origins in newspaper publishing to its visionary strides in cuttingedge data visualization, SCS sets itself apart as a champion of evolution, adaptation, and relentless innovation. With plans in motion for unveiling a dedicated subsidiary for data visualization, the company is poised to revolutionize how data is seen and experienced.

This metamorphosis, from providing traditional print solutions to embracing the world of digital asset management, underscores a relentlessness in staying ahead of the curve. The technological landscape continues its inexorable evolution, and Software Consulting Services intends to be at the forefront, guiding and defining the trajectory.