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Whitepaper
Choosing the Right Collections Management System
The right Collections Management System is critical to how your collections are managed, accessed and preserved. Download this guide for a proven approach to selecting the right solution for your institution’s goals and workflows
How to Select the Best CMS for Your Institution
Inside this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover:
A 5-step selection framework
A clear, methodical approach to evaluating and choosing the right CMS for your institution.
How to align stakeholders
Ensure every department—from collections to IT—is represented and invested in the process.
How to evaluate ROI and value
Balance costs with measurable benefits like efficiency gains, improved data quality, and enhanced access.
Essential CMS features and tools
Understand the tools required for object management, workflows, reporting, and digital asset management.
What to look for in a CMS vendor
Key questions to ask about experience, support, scalability, and long-term partnership.
A practical comparison framework
Use structured evaluation tables to compare vendors, features, and total cost of ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be involved in the CMS selection process?
The guide explains how to identify and involve key stakeholders across departments, including collections, curatorial, conservation, and IT, to ensure a successful outcome.
How do we define our CMS requirements?
You’ll learn how to assess current workflows, identify inefficiencies, and create a clear, prioritized list of requirements tailored to your institution.
What should we look for in a CMS vendor?
The guide provides key evaluation criteria, including vendor experience, support models, system compatibility, and total cost considerations.
How can we compare different CMS options effectively?
It includes practical frameworks and comparison tables to help you evaluate features, pricing, and long-term value across vendors.
Does the guide help with budgeting and ROI?
Yes. It walks through how to assess costs, measure benefits, and evaluate return on investment to support a confident decision.
Build a Stronger Foundation for Your Collection
This guide provides the framework, now it’s time to put it into action. Discover how the TMS Suite can support your institution with integrated collections and digital asset management, configurable workflows tailored to your teams, robust reporting and data standards compliance, and scalable solutions designed for long-term growth.