Central Asset Manager (CAM) is a central repository of rich text, images, downloadable resource files, certificates, SCORM, and xAPI files. Any and all updates will immediately propagate to wherever the assets are located in the platform, which helps you save the time it would take to update each asset one-by-one.
Use Case Information
Central Asset Manager is a tool for content creators and page builders which can help make tasks easier. For example, if your company undergoes rebranding and you need to update the photo of your CEO that is found in all courses, you only need to update the asset in CAM, then all locations that use that photo in the platform are immediately updated. Be sure to plan ahead so your assets are placed in CAM and can be added from the CAM interface to make updates like this easy.
When configured you can control the following:
- Manage Assets in one location
- Update Assets in multiple locations in one go
- Control versions of assets and revert if needed
The Central Asset Manager is behind a feature flag.
Contact Thought Industries Tech Success & Support to enable this feature in your instance.
Asset Types
See below to review descriptions of and the paths to where each asset type can be placed in the platform once they are created in CAM.
Rich Text or Images
Users can insert images and rich text items into various WYSIWYG editors throughout the platform, including editors found in content authoring.
Path: Content > Manage Content > Actions > Edit > Insert into any WYSIWIG editor
Certificates
Users can create a certificate template that can be added to any content item that supports certificates. In CAM, you will upload a certificate image and add the dynamic certificate fields to the certificate by dragging and dropping the certificate field.
When setting up a certificate in a content item, you will see an option to Add Image from Central Asset Manager.
Note: Note that new certificate labels can be created at Settings and Certification. Click Add Certificate Field to add your custom labels.
Path: Content > Manage Content > Click on Content Title > Go to Completion Step > Click on Certification in the left sidebar
Downloadable Resource Files
Users can add files to downloadable categories in course resource libraries or the Global Resource Library.
Path to Global Resources: Settings > Content > Global Resource Library
Path to Course Resources: Content > Manage Content > Click on Content Title > Resource Library (left sidebar)
SCORM & xAPI Files
Insert SCORM and xAPI files to their respective content types (if using standalone SCORM or xAPI) and SCORM or xAPI course page types.
Path to Content Type: Content > Manage Content > Add Content (if not already created) or Click on Content Title (if already created)
Path to Course Page Type: Content > Manage Content > Click on Content Title > Add Page > SCORm or xAPI
SCORM and xAPI are behind a feature flag.
SCORM and xAPI are only available in CAM if SCORM Rustici and xAPI Support are enabled in your instance. Reach out to Thought Industries Support for assistance.
Adding and Editing Items and Managing the CAM
How to Add an Item to CAM
- From your homepage, click Content.
- Click Manage Central Assets.
- Click Add Item.
- Click Add Item in the container for the asset type you want to add.
- Enter a Title for the item and click Save.
- Enter a Description for the item. (Optional)
- The Description is an internal note meant to add context about what the asset is, what it should be used for, etc.
- It is also helpful for highlighting differences in versions since it is displayed when versions are expanded.
- Enter a new Field, or select a Field from the Fields dropdown menu. (Optional)
- Fields are meant to help organize your assets in the CAM interface and also by enabling you to search by Field when placing CAM items in content.
- Enter or upload content relevant to the asset type. (Required)
- Enter a new Type, or select one from the Type dropdown menu. (Optional)
- Types only apply to Rich Text, Images, & Downloadable Resources.
- Types are also meant to organize your asset items. You can search by Types when placing CAM items in content.
- Click Save.
Tip
Roles that include Central Asset Manager permissions will be able to create, edit, and destroy asset items. All assets created in the CAM can be managed and edited from the admin interface.
How to Edit an Item in CAM
- Click the plus sign on the item.
- From the expanded item, click Edit Item.
- Edit as needed.
- Click Save.
How to Delete an Item in CAM
- Click the plus sign on the item.
- From the expanded item, click Edit Item.
- Click Delete Item in the bottom left corner.
- Click OK to confirm the deletion.
Note
Deleting an asset from CAM will not remove the contents from where it is placed. The asset will continue to appear in content, but will no longer be linked to any CAM asset.
If you would like to remove the asset from content altogether, we recommend first using CAM to see where the content is used and removing it from individual content before deleting the asset itself.
Warning
Items deleted from the CAM cannot be recovered. Please use caution when deleting.
Adding Items to Content
Rich Text and Images
To insert an asset into a WYSIWYG editor:
- When editing a piece of content in the authoring interface, locate a WYSIWYG editor with the Central Asset Manager icon. The open book icon looks like this
.
- Click the CAM icon.
- Find the CAM item you wish to add to the editor.
- Select Insert from the item's Actions dropdown menu.
Note
When editing, users will see a generic span with the items title. Previewing the page or course will reveal the inserted asset.
Certificates
To insert an asset into the Completion step of a Content Item:
- Go to Content > Manage Content > Click on Content Title > Go to Completion Step > Click on Certification from the left sidebar.
- Click Add New Certificates.
- Click Add Image from Central Asset Manager.
- Find the CAM Certificate you wish to add to the category.
- Select Insert from the item's Actions dropdown menu.
Note
Completion Criteria and Certificate Settings, like expiration dates, are all set at the content level for each content item. The CAM asset only represents the certificate image and dynamic fields.
Tip
Need to add one more certificate field for just this content item? You can unlink a certificate after adding it from CAM to make a certificate unique to that content item. It's a great way to get a head start! Please note that changes you make to the CAM certificate you added originally will no longer apply once a certificate is unlinked.
Downloadable Resource Files
To insert an asset into a Downloadable Category:
- Navigate to the Resource Library where you wish to add the item.
- If a Downloadable Category is not already added to the Resource Library, add a Downloadable Category & Subcategory.
- Click Add File from Central Asset Manager.
- Find the Downloadable File you wish to add to the category from the CAM slide out on the right of the screen.
- Click Actions > Insert.
- Click Save.
Note
When inserting a Downloadable Resource File to a resource library, the Central Asset Manager title will be used in the Resource Library and is not editable from the Resource Library.
SCORM & xAPI Files
To insert SCORM or xAPI asset into content:
- Navigate to the Content Type or Page type you wish to add the item.
- Click Add File from Central Asset Manager.
- Find the CAM SCORM file or xAPI file you wish to add to the content or page.
- Click Actions > Insert.
- Click Save.
Note
When editing a SCORM or xAPI Content type or Page type, you may insert a file from the CAM or upload a file from your desktop.
Version Control
Notes on Version Control:
- When a user edits an item and saves it, a new version is created and displays in the Version Control interface.
- After editing and saving an item, confirm the most recent changes again in the a pop up warning message.
- Versions are listed with the Last Modified Date/Time, as well as a Revert to Version button.
- Expanding the versions will expose the version and the description.
- Clicking Revert to Version will automatically revert and create a new version.
Tip
Any updates made via the Central Asset Manager will immediately update all areas the item is located.
Note
When replacing a file or reverting a SCORM or xAPI item, users are prompted to select whether or not changes should display to all learners. By default, changes uploaded for SCORM or xAPI files will only display to learners who have either not yet started it or have completed it. If opted into, all learners will be required to begin the SCORM or xAPI file again and previous progress will be lost.
Notes, Tips and Considerations
Tips for CAM Management:
- Use the search bar to search for objects by title, as well as an advanced search query by object type, location title, or field title.
- Sort assets in ascending order by the Asset Title and in descending order by the Created or Update Date.
- Filter items in the sidebar by Type & Field (displayed as "Tag" in the interface).
- In the CAM interface, click the plus sign to see the expanded item where you can preview the asset in the interface. Additionally, click View / Download to download the item.
- Edit a CAM item from within a content item by clicking the CAM icon in a WYSIWYG, viewing the slide out on the right side of the screen, and locating the item you want to edit. Similarly, this slide out offers a means to review asset details, like its preview, type, update date, fields, and description.
