Attaching documents in ArcGIS. Best Practice?

[WightmanAdmin]

I am going back and forth about the best way to attach documents to features in ArcGIS.  My end goal is to publish these features to a Feature Service for ArcGIS Online.  I would also like to utilize these features in an Asset Management software.  I am aware of the Plans and Drawings application in ArcGIS Resources, where it uses a web URL link to the attachment stored on a web server.  You can also attach documents to features directly in GIS with the attachment function in the geodatabase.  My questions is, which is the best way?? 

Web URL link?

Geodatabase Attachments?

Thank you in advance.

[JakeSkinner]

Hi Ryan,

To answer your question, it would be best to see how the Asset Management software can read attachments.  When using geodatabase attachments, the images are stored in a BLOB field in a related table.  If the Asset Management software can read the attachments in this format, I would recommend using geodatabase attachments.  If not, I would recommend storing the images on a web server and referencing them using a URL.