Top 5 Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) 6.5 Features You Should Know About!

The debut of Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) in 2012 revolutionized the way businesses manage and deliver personalized digital experiences. From content management to marketing automation, AEM quickly became an innovation to be reckoned with. The platform’s capabilities have long been regarded as a cornerstone for creating powerful user experiences. With the release of Adobe Experience Manager 6.5 in 2019, those capabilities have been elevated to new heights. This release is built upon the foundations laid by previous versions. However, the AEM 6.5 version incorporated a range of enhancements and new features to improve usability, security, and overall performance. The AEM 6.5 version includes a staggering 1300+ fixes and 23 iterations. These improvements resulted from rigorous user feedback and thorough testing, ensuring that the final product offered innovative features to meet the evolving needs of businesses. 

Several years have passed since the launch of AEM 6.5, and many businesses have already migrated from 6.4 to 6.5; some are still in the process of making this transition, while others remain significantly behind, seemingly unaware of this. 

In the rush to participate in the crowded race to seamlessly migrate from AEM 6.4 to 6.5, many businesses are still unaware of the full range of capabilities that AEM 6.5 offers. This is why Deftsoft has come up with a well-crafted blog post to unravel the top 5 Adobe AEM features that are transforming digital experiences. In this ‘compact and significant’ blog, unlock the potential of top AEM 6.5 features. 

Iterations Leading to AEM 6.5 

Before delving into the top Adobe AEM features, let’s look at the several iterations made by Adobe on the platform. 

AEM 6.0 In June 2014 

This launch introduced Torch UI (user-friendly interface), Oak-based architecture & more. 

AEM 6.1 in May 2015 

The release of AEM 6.1 focused mainly on improving its mobile app management and introducing responsive design capabilities. 

AEM 6.2 in April 2016  

With AEM 6.2, Adobe introduced Communities for creating online forums and the function of Content Fragments. 

AEM 6.3 in April 2017 

AEM 6.3 version introduced features like ‘Experience Fragments’ and ‘Fluid Experiences’ to make content delivery more adaptable across different devices. 

Also, Read: Content Fragments vs Experience Fragments in AEM: Which One to Choose?

AEM 6.4 in March 2018 

The revolution in Adobe arrived when AEM 6.4 was released. This version focused heavily on the rising trends of that era, such as automated content tagging and leveraging AI capabilities. 

AEM 6.5  in April 2019 

The introduction of AEM 6.5 was a major tech moment of the last decade. By improving content intelligence through Adobe Sensei and content versioning, AEM 6.5 was one of the most significant updates in the platform’s history. Several AEM 6.5 features were aimed at meeting changing industry demands. Now, as we look at 2025, these Adobe AEM 6.5 features have succeeded in doing so. 

5 Useful Adobe AEM 6.5 Features You Need to Know! 

Adobe AEM 6.5 Logo

1. Single Page App Editor 

The Single Page App (SPA) Editor in Adobe AEM 6.5 is the one-stop solution for professional developers. Using this innovative feature, developers can seamlessly create rich, client-side applications. Consider using a Single Page App (SPA) Editor to integrate dynamic JavaScript frameworks like React and Angular. Somehow, this app mimics the native-app development-like interaction when it comes to editing within AEM’s environment. To start with the Single Page App Editor, you only need a sample WKND SPA project application.  

2. GraphQL API for Commerce 

Adobe AEM 6.5 features also include integration of GraphQL API to enable efficient content retrieval for commerce websites. Many of you might be introduced to GraphQL. It is a data query language developed in 2012 by Facebook. GraphQL was publicly released in 2015 as an alternative to SOAP and REST web APIs for innovative front-end development. The main function of Adobe Commerce GraphQL API is to execute a quick and efficient information transfer between an e-commerce store and your storefront. It makes interactions faster by retrieving only the required data that an application needs, thus improving page load times and responsiveness. 

3. Smart Crop 

In the AEM 6.4 version, designers and developers faced a significant challenge when dealing with multiple image sizes for various layouts. To ensure that images fit perfectly across different screen sizes, multiple versions of the same image had to be manually resized and cropped. Eventually, this industry requirement was fulfilled with the release of the AEM 6.5 version. 

AEM 6.5 included Smart Crop, a feature powered by Adobe Sensei. By using AI and machine learning, Smart Crop automatically crop images in a way that preserves their most essential elements. Thus, this tool eliminates the need for any external editing software or manual cropping. 

4. CI/CD Extensibility via Adobe I/O 

We’re listing the top Adobe AEM 6.5 features. How is it possible not to include CI/CD Extensibility in it? So, here – arrives this innovative AEM 6.5 feature. 

This key enhancement in AEM 6.5 focuses on streamlining the development, deployment, and management of Adobe applications. 

As the name suggests, CI/CD (Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery/Deployment) extensibility via Adobe I/O allows developers to facilitate their continuous integration and continuous delivery processes directly with Adobe’s cloud-based services. 

Adobe I/O is Adobe’s API gateway and extensibility platform, designed to provide seamless integration with Adobe’s cloud services. By connecting Adobe I/O’s powerful features with innovative CI/CD pipelines, developers can deploy code faster and manage AEM instances more efficiently. 

5. Connected Data Asset Management 

Connected Data Asset Management is one of the significant AEM 6.5 features that enhances how digital assets are managed, integrated, and utilized across platforms. It refers to the ability to connect and manage digital assets from multiple sources—whether on-premise or cloud-based—under a single interface. This feature uses APIs and connectors to allow AEM to communicate and synchronize with external databases, storage systems, and content management systems. 

Wrapping Up 

The release of Adobe AEM’s new features marked a significant leap in digital experience management. Considering the evolving demands of businesses seriously, AEM 6.5 features aimed at delivering dynamic, personalized, and efficient digital experiences. After more than five years of its launch, these features have become successful in making significant digital transformations. The genuine reason for writing this detailed blog is to make businesses aware of the potential of the AEM 6.5 version. If you’re still using the 6.4 version for your business, consider migrating to 6.5 today! Believe us, it will take your business efficiency to new heights. 

Migration from 6.4 to 6.5 requires professional expertise and top-notch skills. Thus, contact Deftsoft for that! As a globally recognized AEM development company, we provide the best AEM migration services. Our expert team ensures a smooth transition with minimal downtime, enhanced features, and improved performance. Let Deftsoft be your trusted companion in elevating your business’s reliability in the digital world. Stay tuned with us for more updated information in the tech domain.

Digital Asset Management in AEM: A Comprehensive Guide

User content personalization is the secret recipe to win your customer’s attention. If you’re struggling to convert your leads into valuable customers, chances are that your content lacks user personalization. It is comparatively easier for SMEs, startups and small businesses to connect directly with their users. On the flip side, enterprises find it a daunting task.

This is exactly when you need Adobe Experience Manager Assets, a unique Adobe offering that helps enterprises build customized and personalized digital content solutions. You don’t need to stress out about managing content across multiple devices and channels.

If you’re interested in learning more about Adobe Experience Manager Digital Asset Management (DAM), how it works, the benefits of the AEM Digital Asset Management tool and the measures to consider before implementing DAM for your enterprise, keep on reading!

What is Meant by Adobe Digital Asset Management?

Searching, collecting, analyzing and delivering content that resonates with each segment of your audience can be tricky. On top of that, creating specialized content for each channel and device is difficult. Adobe Experience Manager DAM takes the complete charge of managing, optimizing and delivering personalized experiences to your consumers, so that you can focus on the tasks that matter the most.

Adobe Experience Manager Assets is a Digital Asset Management (DAM) system that allows you to create, organize, store, manage, deliver, retrieve and optimize rich media such as images, videos, audio files, documents, forms, etc., to curate personalized user experiences. 

Since AEM DAM is a scalable and flexible cloud-native offering, enterprises do not need to worry about sharing and delivering thousands of files in one go. No matter if you wish to share files across the globe to anyone, Adobe Experience Manager DAM is the answer to all the problems. 

History of Adobe Experience Manager

Before October 2010, Adobe Experience Manager was not under Adobe’s proprietorship. It was called Day Communique or Day CQ, which was a Day software product. The software was created in Basel, Switzerland. It was only in October 2010 that the software was acquired by Adobe. It was then named Adobe Experience Manager (AEM).

Adobe has now released a new version called AEM 6.5.20.0. This latest version of AEM comes with enhanced capabilities, enhancements, features and bug fixes. It was later on that Adobe released its various products such as AEM as a Cloud Service (AEMaaCS) and AEM Digital Asset Management (DAM) is one of them.

How Does AEM Digital Asset Management Work?

Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) Assets is one of the significant offerings of Adobe’s suite, which is power-packed with cloud-based capabilities. It is a centralized Digital Asset Management (DAM) system that allows your team to manage, access, and optimize content from anywhere in the world. 

You can share a variety of digital files such as images, videos, files, 3D models, etc. One of the best ways to understand how AEM works is through an example. Here it is!

By using Adobe Experience Manager Assets, you can share social media post templates directly with your team. This way, everyone in the company stays on the same page and can access the latest version of the content. Therefore, AEM Assets ensure content distribution across teams with utmost collaboration.

Also Read: How Does Digital Asset Management Work in AEM?

What are the Benefits of Using AEM Digital Asset Management?

Benefits of Using AEM Digital Asset Management

The following are the highlighting benefits of using Adobe Experience Manager DAM:

1. Increased Team Efficiency by 10X

A digital asset management system is designed specifically to grow with the expansion of a business. By providing a single space for collaboration, creation, and feedback, it boosts productivity between creative, IT, marketing, and business teams. You can easily and widely satisfy the wants of your customers with such improved avenues for communication.

Because Adobe Experience Manager DAM offers strong metadata capabilities and a shared set of repositories for simultaneous file retrieval, using it also facilitates more rapid and efficient workflows.

2. Time-Saving with Automation

Adobe Experience Manager Assets is all about saving your precious time and focusing on what’s important. With enhanced AI capabilities, you can repurpose a single asset into a multitude of digital asset possibilities without hampering your time and digital resources. 

You can deliver more personalized experiences with Adobe Assets AI, such as asset tagging, cropping and delivery across various touchpoints.

3. Flexibility to Work from Anywhere

You have the freedom to use your digital assets from any location with AEM Digital Asset Management. Your assets can be distributed, linked, and shared with anyone, anywhere in the world. You can review assets, collaborate with others, and get quick access with this functionality. 

Workflows and metadata can also be used to create digital experiences that your end consumers won’t soon forget.

4. Supreme Media Delivery

Regardless of your need to distribute thousands of digital assets at once, AEM Digital Asset Management gives you the adaptability to swiftly and effectively produce, deliver, and modify an endless number of asset variations. With Adobe Experience Manager materials, you can create an engaging delivery experience that saves time and money when sending films or 3D materials.

Intriguing and captivating experiences such as 360-degree views, augmented reality, and virtual reality (VR) can also be produced.

5. Control Your Permissions

AEM Digital Asset Management boasts a robust authorization and rights management system. It can also be used to grant partners digital permissions so they can receive updates. You can also know precisely who is accessing them and all the information pertaining to the assets because of its increased openness.

Measures To Consider Before Implementing AEM Digital Asset Management

Here are the following steps you need to consider before implementing Adobe Experience Manager DAM software:

  1. Be Clear About Your Motive

Before adopting an AEM Digital Asset Management system, it is crucial to consider why you need it in the first place. If you’re struggling with efficient digital asset management and feel like your time and resources are getting wasted, it is one of the major signs to consider investing in AEM Assets.

Once you get a clear idea of why you need an AEM DAM system, it is important to consider other factors including, if you can reach your project goals with the adoption, if it can easily be integrated with the rest of your tech stack, and it ensures smooth implementation, etc.

  1. Establish a Dedicated Team

It is important to consider a knowledgeable team that can help implement a solid digital asset management solution. A wise choice ensures production, creation, and service-level team collaboration for the best outcome. A solid AEM Digital Asset Management team includes the following professionals:

  • Project Manager
  • DAM Initiative Leader
  • DAM Librarians
  • DAM Infrastructure Lead
  • Project steering group
  1. Use Actual Data

Don’t make the mistake of using some ‘test’ data to check the efficiency of the system. Use real-life data, brand creative files and digital assets to formulate critical functionality and workflow requirements for your asset management system. 

It is also important to perform various tasks diligently such as the efficient transfer of data from the current to a new system, seamless system performance while integrating with other products and aligning the file formats with the system.

  1. Focus on Improving Workflows

Rather than emphasizing upgrading your tech stack, it is pivotal to update workflows and structures according to the requirements. Ensure that you’re properly analyzing and then creating and storing marketing materials for various channels.

The created DAM solution must meet your company’s present requirements as well as future aspirations. You can optimize the process of DAM system implementation by streamlining your workflows, removing tasks that don’t add value, eliminating possible roadblocks and establishing a sustainable system.

  1. Customize Only When Necessary

It is not always necessary to add high-end customizations to your AEM Digital Asset Management (DAM) software. Implementing customizations can slow down performance, enhance software bugs and make the system more complex. 

Therefore, it is a better choice to keep your system as generic as possible. It will be beneficial for your system in the long run.

  1. Divide Your Project

It is very important to divide your AEM DAM project into phases and then work on it step-by-step. By breaking your project into sequential blocks or phases, you can individually measure the outcome of particular steps and analyze the strategy accordingly. 

It also becomes easy to address and identify unexpected outcomes and take robust actions. For enhanced productivity, you can dedicate specific teams to attain outputs for dedicated project phases.

Bottom Line

Adobe Experience Manager Digital Asset Management (DAM) is an all-exclusive and sophisticated Adobe product. Being a powerful tool, it has helped enterprises create unforgettable and more personalized experiences for users. Leveraging Adobe’s DAM helps you cater to brand consistency across all touchpoints. AEM DAM is indeed the heart of digital content creation.

Do you want to learn more about the capabilities of Digital Asset Management (DAM)? Fill out the form on our home website to transform your brand’s online image.

FAQs:

What is Adobe Experience Manager DAM?

Adobe Experience Manager DAM refers to the Digital Asset Management system. Adobe’s DAM is called Adobe Experience Manager Assets. It is an all-rounder solution for creating, storing, managing and delivering content across various digital channels and touchpoints. This cloud-native asset management solution promotes brand consistency and customer engagement through personalized content.

How does Digital Asset Management work?

Adobe’s Digital Asset Management (DAM) allows you to share a diverse range of media such as 3D videos, files, images, forms, documents, etc. and enables enhanced collaboration between product and service teams. This functionality helps them stay on the same page. From social media posts to marketing campaigns to analytics, Adobe Experience Manager DAM has got you covered with all of it.

What are the benefits of Digital Asset Management?

The benefits of Adobe DAM include enhanced team collaboration, time savings through automation, freedom to work from anywhere and share content with anyone, control of who can access the authorized files, and ease of media delivery.

What steps do I need to take before implementing Adobe Experience Manager DAM?

The first step is to analyze whether you need to enhance your tech stack when adopting the Adobe Experience Manager DAM. The next step is to create a dedicated team to address various phases of the AEM project. You can then also add any required customization to the DAM, however, it is recommended to keep the system as general as possible for robust functioning and a bug-free environment.