FOR-A Europe – Connectivity for productivity

FOR-A Europe – Connectivity for productivity

Fabio Varolo, FOR-A Europe

The rapid adoption of IP connectivity for media is transforming our industry. It opens exciting new creative opportunities in remote production and collaborative workflows, thanks to reliable real-time transfers over the public internet. Remote working means fewer journeys for personnel and equipment, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of a production.

When managing the infrastructure for remote working, though, there is a significant limitation. IP connections are traditionally seen as point-to-point: source to one destination. That is the nature of streaming connectivity.

In broadcast and production that is inconvenient. It eliminates many of the advantages of remote working if you have to tell people they can either be at the location or at the master control. Producers, editors, compliance supervisors, script editors, subtitlers and more may be in multiple locations. Engineers may want confidence monitors at different points in the signal path.

For major drama productions, the action may be in a studio or on location, but the content needs to go to the post house in a distant city, and to the producers and execs who may be in other countries. If the shoot will need extensive visual effects, the facilities designing the VFX, rendering them and conforming the results could be spread around the world.

In short, then, to really win the full benefits of IP connectivity, there has to be a way to distribute content over a lossy network – the public internet – securely, with low latency, and to multiple destinations. Such a system needs to be based on open standards for full interoperability.

At FOR-A we developed a very capable software platform, SOAR-A: Software Optimised Appliance Revolutionised by FOR-A. The box provides all the key functionality for IP connectivity and allows developers to create powerful applications to meet specific requirements.

Among the leading innovators with which FOR-A has collaborated on applications for SOAR-A is SipRadius, which has developed a highly performant solution for the point-to-multipoint requirement, simply and seamlessly.  By incorporating this advanced solution, the SOAR-A EDGE IP transport appliance, part of the SOAR-A platform, provides a seamless bridge into and out of the streaming connectivity environment.

To guarantee open interconnectivity, transmission uses RIST, the Reliable Internet Stream Transport. This is a very widely used standard. The content arrives at the SOAR-A EDGE portal as SDI, SMPTE ST 2110, NDI ® or as an already compressed stream. Everything in the incoming feed is packaged into the RIST stream: identification and discovery in NDI; timing and auxiliary data in ST 2110 and more. In a simple implementation, content comes in at the remote location, is packaged and sent via a RIST tunnel over the internet and received at the base.

A single SOAR-A EDGE can handle multiple concurrent streams, which might be all in one direction or it could one or more return video channels. That return video might be the interviewer for down-the-line interviews, or it might be a multi viewer for the remote producer. SOAR-A EDGE units can be interconnected to transmit larger numbers of channels from a location, with automatic load-balancing to ensure maximum performance, and can deliver to many peers simultaneously.

Importantly, RIST includes 256-bit AES encryption, so all media in transit is completely protected. So, this gives you a very low latency multi-channel circuit which is highly resilient against the undeterministic nature of the internet and hardened against piracy and cyber-attack.

What makes this solution unique is that it also incorporates a WebRTC encoder, providing a way for multiple users – potentially a very large number – to see and hear what is happening. The WebRTC feed is, of course, protected by the same high-security AES encryption, along with a rigid access management layer ensuring only those who are involved in the production can log on.

This feed can be accessed via a conventional web browser on any device. For those who want a simple receiver, you can build a set-top box using a Raspberry Pi processor with a client, giving a simple and intuitive user interface.

The beauty of RIST is that it can create networks with multiple access points. To achieve this level of flexibility, each SOAR-A location is connected to a RIST server in the cloud. This accepts material from each SOAR-A device, with individual streams routed to the required destinations.

That includes routing content from one remote location to another. This would be extremely useful at a major international sports event, for example, connecting multiple sources at a stadium with multiple sources at a remote studio, and sending the packaged programme back to the broadcaster’s headquarters.

With RIST in the cloud, it is responsible for creating the WebRTC feeds, based on user selections of what content to deliver to those monitoring the event remotely. These feeds include metadata alongside high quality audio and video.

It is clear that the broadcast, media and events industry is moving towards ever-more complex workflows involving key personnel in multiple locations. This architecture, using specialized devices and open-standards interconnectivity, gives users the flexibility and agility they need, without compromising latency or security.

TAG Video Systems – Streamlining media workflows: the role of unified monitoring in achieving efficiency

The media landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Consumer expectations have evolved, demanding diverse content, accessible anytime and anywhere, on a multitude of devices. This surge in demand, coupled with advancements in technology like cloud infrastructure and edge computing, has revolutionized how media is produced and distributed. While these changes present exciting opportunities, they also pose significant challenges for content providers striving to balance high-quality viewer experiences with operational efficiency and sustainability.

Historically, the transition to IP and cloud-based systems has empowered media companies with increased flexibility and scalability. However, many still rely on legacy technologies and disparate systems, leading to operational silos that hinder efficiency and increase resource consumption. This fragmented approach not only makes it difficult to maintain the quality of viewer experiences but also contributes to unnecessary energy consumption and waste.

The solution lies in adopting a unified, software-based monitoring approach that integrates various aspects of media operations. This comprehensive strategy, encompassing end-to-end monitoring, real-time alerting, deep troubleshooting, and extensive analytics, can revolutionize how content providers operate, leading to significant improvements in efficiency and sustainability.

Key enablers of efficiency and sustainability

Unified monitoring: A software-based IP monitoring platform, such as the one offered by TAG Video Systems, facilitates real-time monitoring of the entire media ecosystem. This comprehensive approach empowers content providers to proactively identify and address potential issues, optimize workflows, and ensure seamless content delivery. By consolidating monitoring functions into a single platform, companies can eliminate redundancies, reduce manual intervention, and improve overall operational efficiency.

Real-time alerting: Immediate notification of anomalies or potential issues, like network disruptions or spikes in traffic, enables quick, real-time action to prevent service disruptions. Real-time alerting systems can be integrated with automated remediation tools to address common problems automatically, further reducing downtime and minimizing the impact on viewer experiences. By staying ahead of potential problems, content providers can maintain high service levels while optimizing resource utilization.

Deep troubleshooting: When issues do arise, having the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose the root cause is crucial. Deep troubleshooting tools that gather data from multiple points in the media workflow provide valuable insights into the origin and nature of problems. This enables engineers to address issues at their source, minimizing downtime and preventing recurring problems. Efficient troubleshooting contributes to a more stable and reliable media delivery infrastructure.

Extensive analytics: Data-driven insights are key to optimizing media operations. Customizable reporting and analytics tools empower content providers to visualize performance trends, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions about resource allocation. Integrating AI-powered analytics can further enhance this process by automating data analysis, uncovering hidden patterns, and predicting potential issues before they impact viewers. By leveraging data effectively, companies can continuously improve their operations and make data-driven decisions that enhance both efficiency and sustainability.

Streamlined operations: Monitoring by exception, adaptive monitoring tools, and intelligent consolidation of potentially problematic channels enable operators to focus on critical issues. This streamlined approach reduces the need for constant manual supervision, allowing teams to allocate resources more effectively. By automating routine tasks and prioritizing critical alerts, content providers can achieve higher operational efficiency with leaner teams.

Hybrid deployment support: The cloud offers numerous advantages for media workflows, including scalability, access to AI and ML-driven automation, and cost savings. Monitoring systems that support hybrid environments, combining on-prem and cloud resources, give content providers the flexibility to adapt to changing business needs while optimizing infrastructure costs. This adaptability is crucial for remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The transformational impact

The adoption of a unified approach to monitoring and managing media operations can lead to a transformative impact on efficiency and sustainability. By maximizing resource utilization, scaling operations to meet fluctuating demand, and embracing new technologies, content providers can deliver high-quality viewer experiences while minimizing their environmental footprint.

Furthermore, this approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where data-driven insights guide decision-making and innovation. As the media landscape continues to evolve, companies that embrace these principles will be well-positioned to thrive while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Ready to streamline your media operations? Take the first step with our free trial today: https://tagvs.com/tag-trial/

Net Insight – Maximizing efficiency and monetization in live sports

Net Insight – Maximizing efficiency and monetization in live sports

Jonathan Smith, Solution Area Expert – Cloud at Net Insight

Live sports provide huge business growth opportunities that linear TV providers cannot ignore. This is reflected by the numbers, with the Premier League being the most-watched league globally, NFL games accounting for 96% of the most-watched 2023 US TV broadcasts and Super Bowl LVIII bringing in a record 123.7 million average viewers. The growth has extended to streaming as well, with the NFL’s first streaming-exclusive playoff breaking records with 23 million viewers.

Live sports can ensure linear viewership rates remain high. Sports fans everywhere consume not only live Tier-1 content but also an increasing number of lower-tier, niche sports. This loyal and growing viewership presents valuable monetization opportunities to sports media companies.

However, to fully take advantage of lucrative live sports opportunities, sports media companies need to ensure their distribution model fits with the content and their overall company business needs and drives efficiencies. With hardware, cloud-based, and hybrid distribution models available, they need to consider which model best aligns with the value of their content and the expected ROI for each destination; there is no one-size-fits-all approach to live sports video delivery.

Hardware-based models boost reliability

As the global demand for live sports rises dramatically, so does the value of sports rights, especially as tech and streaming players are continually entering the market, creating an increasingly competitive landscape. The global media rights for the top 16 sports leagues worldwide are projected to reach $68.8 billion by 2028 and an astounding $90.6 billion by 2033 according to Rethink Research.

On top of sports content becoming increasingly more premium and rights becoming harder and harder to acquire, there is also the challenge of ensuring the reliable and high-quality contribution of live feeds to provide the best viewing experiences, as this will, in the end, maximize efficiency and monetization. Fans will not tolerate missing crucial sports moments due to video quality issues, delays, or buffering, particularly given the wealth of alternative options available in today’s hyper-competitive market; premium content demands robust delivery to realize its monetization potential.

Hardware-based video contribution and primary distribution workflows can offer significant boosts to quality and reliability. They offer ultra-reliable, broadcast-grade media networking across any infrastructure, as well as high-density, high-quality, video compression formats, from visually lossless, low-latency JPEG XS all the way down to H.264. This enables sports media companies to manage and monetize various live events through one, reconfigurable platform that ensures repeatable reliability.

Flexibility and scalability are key to meeting sports media business needs, and modern hardware solutions can promote them both. Being designed to adapt to multiple scenarios, such as needing to set up new services, adjust bandwidth on demand, or expand networks with new locations and services as needed, means they can accommodate the fluctuations and typically changeable returns of the media landscape. Investing in versatile hardware distribution models allows sports media companies to reliably deliver high-quality content, which maintains viewer satisfaction and takes full advantage of monetization opportunities.

This illustrates how, when considering specific business needs such as reliable video delivery across a variable media landscape, one distribution model can prove more advantageous than others.

Cloud-based models unlock scalability and efficiency

Cloud and IP workflows have revolutionized consumer video delivery, allowing sports media to reach huge audiences while using existing connectivity. Using the cloud, companies can scale up and down, swiftly, seamlessly, and efficiently, depending on the specific demands of a live event, eliminating the need for upfront tech infrastructure investment. This allows for experimentation with new markets, content, and destinations at lower initial costs while expanding scalability potential.

While these models are gaining traction in primary contribution and distribution, with Tier 1 live sports, they are mainly used as backup links or second-screen and alternate content. However, for lower-tier events, where the business needs differ, these workflows are becoming the preferred choice, as they provide the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency required by small-scale, more experimental, riskier live sports delivery.

Hybrid models ensure cost-effective distribution

While live sports have never been more popular, not all global live sports markets guarantee revenue growth, making new ventures risky and threatening overall margin. Sports media companies entering unfamiliar markets need to invest cautiously, and this business need can be met by a hybrid content delivery model. This method combines existing infrastructure investments with the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency of internet-primary distribution, enabling sports media companies entering untrodden ground to maximize their investment value.

For media companies looking to secure rights for tier 2 and 3 sports, adopting a hybrid approach can enrich their main broadcasts with extra pre- and post-game content, along with highlights suitable for social media and other platforms. This method helps them connect with niche fan communities, increase revenue opportunities, and enhance engagement across various platforms without needing major infrastructure upgrades.

Given the fast-paced nature of live sports, media organizations must be agile and strategic. Acquiring valuable sports rights is just the start; the key challenge is optimizing returns while mitigating risks. Media companies need a well-thought-out plan for live sports distribution, tailored to the specific needs and risks of each market. By selecting the right mode — be it hardware, cloud, or hybrid — for each situation, they can safeguard their investments and adapt to future changes. In a constantly shifting media environment, flexibility and careful planning are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

 

Magine Pro – How end-to-end solutions drive operational efficiency and growth in the OTT industry

Magine Pro – How end-to-end solutions drive operational efficiency and growth in the OTT industry

Matthew Wilkinson, CEO, Magine Pro

In today’s fast-paced market, efficiency and agility are crucial for OTT operators and vendors striving to keep pace with rapid innovation. To remain competitive, these companies must maintain seamless operations and stay strategically focused, ensuring they can adapt quickly to changing market dynamics. At Magine Pro, we champion an all-encompassing approach that not only simplifies the OTT ecosystem but also drives significant business value. As the CEO of Magine Pro, I’ve seen firsthand how a well-integrated, end-to-end platform can transform operations, streamline processes, and create new opportunities for growth.

Partnering with a single vendor for end-to-end OTT solutions allows media companies to streamline responsibilities and eliminate operational silos. In contrast, working with multiple vendors often requires companies to shoulder the burden of integrating and coordinating disparate systems – a process that can be time-consuming and fraught with challenges. This fragmented approach frequently leads to delays, miscommunications, and a lack of cohesive strategy. These obstacles ultimately hinder a company’s ability to innovate and respond quickly to market demands, making it difficult to maintain a competitive edge.

Vendors like Magine Pro, who own all their intellectual property (IP) in-house, can offer a more streamlined and agile solution. With control over the entire technology stack, they can accelerate the market introduction of new products and features, ensuring that innovations reach consumers faster. For example, having an in-house team of developers, combined with a proprietary CRM, enables rapid deployment of new features without the need to wait for external vendors’ roadmaps or navigate their development cycles. This end-to-end control ensures quick iterations, prompt responses to customer needs, and the ability to stay ahead of market trends.

Moreover, automation is a critical factor in achieving operational efficiency. Vendors that prioritize automation offer media companies a distinct edge by streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual interventions. By automating repetitive tasks and complex workflows, errors are minimized, and consistency in output is maintained across all operations. This shift not only ensures high-quality service delivery but also frees up valuable resources that can be redirected toward more strategic initiatives, such as content creation or customer engagement.

For instance, automating high-volume workflows such as Media Asset Management—from content ingestion and processing to final publication—can significantly cut operational overhead, reduce bottlenecks, and improve overall efficiency. As demand for services grows, automation provides the scalability needed to handle increased volumes without compromising on performance or quality. This capability is crucial for media companies looking to expand their offerings while maintaining a high level of service delivery, ensuring that they can continue to meet customer needs effectively and efficiently as their audience scales.

For media companies, especially those new to the market, adopting an operational expenditure (OPEX) model offers an efficient strategic advantage. This model enables them to focus their resources on creating compelling content and executing effective marketing campaigns, rather than on building and maintaining complex technological infrastructures. By avoiding the significant upfront costs associated with capital expenditure (CAPEX) on technology, the OPEX model provides financial flexibility. It allows companies to pivot quickly if their initial strategies don’t yield the desired results, facilitating rapid iteration on their go-to-market approaches without being constrained by sunk costs in technology infrastructure.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that while end-to-end solutions offer broad capabilities, they may not always provide the same depth as best-of-breed solutions, especially when companies operate at scale and seek marginal gains in performance. Best-of-breed vendors can offer highly specialized optimizations across the value chain, such as a 0.5% improvement in conversion rates or a slight enhancement in recommendation algorithms. These optimizations can be crucial for large-scale operations aiming to maximize every aspect of their service.

At Magine Pro, we understand that one size does not fit all. While we offer a comprehensive end-to-end solution, we also provide the flexibility to integrate best-of-breed solutions as our customers scale. Flexibility is a crucial factor media companies should look for in a vendor, as it’s far more efficient to work with a partner who can grow with you, avoiding the operational overhead of migrating to new systems later. This hybrid approach ensures that our clients can benefit from the simplicity and efficiency of an integrated platform, while also having the option to incorporate specialized tools and services as their needs evolve.

Ultimately, choosing an end-to-end approach is not just about convenience; it’s about partnering with a company that acts in your best interest across the entire value chain, offering a unified vision and execution strategy that aligns with your business goals. At Magine Pro, we enable our clients to focus on what differentiates them in the market—their media content and customer acquisition strategies—rather than getting bogged down in technical complexities.

Globecast – Strengthening broadcast security in the age of digital content

Globecast – Strengthening broadcast security in the age of digital content

Chris Pulis, CTO, Globecast Americas

Who are the security leaders in your business? While some people have security in their titles or job descriptions, the reality is that everyone in your business should be considered leaders of your security effort. The technology landscape of the broadcast industry (Media & Entertainment at large) is not only evolving rapidly, but the cycle of change is getting shorter every year. In particular, the move to IP and the use of other modern technologies has pushed past the concept of revolution to that of a fundamental requirement to simply remain in business.

As many of us in the industry have learned by being deeply engaged in this transition, IP provides unparalleled efficiency and flexibility. It enables broadcasters to not only deliver content in ways previously unimaginable but build environments with elasticity that will enable content delivery to remain in step with the accelerating cycles of change.

A question of standards

As with anyone in a position to influence technical architectures, the great power that IP infrastructure delivers also brings great responsibility, particularly with regard to securing and managing content streams, the critical metadata supporting them and the infrastructure delivering all of it. This is where ISO 27001, an international standard for information security management, becomes not just beneficial but essential.

The move from traditional broadcast standards to IP-based technologies is a paradigm shift. While traditional standards have served the industry well, they no longer have the ability to adapt – a problem which has created a barrier to meeting rising demand. Today, broadcasters must overcome many more layers of complexity. Those layers and capabilities must be addressed from a security governance perspective.

IP technologies achieve this by offering a global reach, hyper-scaling and multi-platform delivery. This move to what we perceive as ‘a more open and interconnected ecosystem’ does have one inherent challenge; it also exposes broadcasters to new security vulnerabilities, from cyber-attacks to content piracy, making the robust security framework provided by ISO 27001 (27001:2022 to be specific) invaluable.

At its core, ISO 27001 offers a systematic and structured approach to managing sensitive company information so that it remains secure. It encompasses people, processes, and systems, providing a holistic security management standard perfectly aligned with the needs of modern broadcasting. The standard’s emphasis on risk assessment, security controls, and continuous improvement creates a security-conscious culture within organizations, ensuring that every aspect of the broadcasting ecosystem is protected.  For those of us who are practitioners, we also recognize the “value-adds” from the framework that ingrain standardization of business processes and procedures that even extend to a business’s HR and Legal departments. 27001 is not a “one size fits all” standard by any means, but for broadcasters who already have “structured environments” imprinted on their DNA from an Ops and Engineering perspective, it adds a layer that can be characterized as a “value deposit” into any media business.

The benefits of certification

The synergies between ISO 27001 and modern broadcast standards are undeniable. ISO 27001 principles ensure that content (and the operation that contains and delivers it) remains secure and available, meets regulatory requirements and, most importantly, consumer expectations for privacy and protection. By demonstrating a commitment to security, broadcasters gain a competitive edge, and service providers become differentiators in the business, fostering trust among partners, customers and regulatory bodies.

Choosing ISO 27001-certified providers for broadcast solutions is a strategic decision and should have significant weight when businesses are looking for providers. This should even include making it a requirement in the RFP process. Certified providers bring a wealth of experience by aligning broadcast technologies with security standards, ensuring that IP-based content delivery is robust and secure. A certified provider not only has demonstrated their competence with auditable evidence but also by showing how the standard has been deployed to manage media workflows.

An ISO Certified service provider will offer expert guidance in implementing the necessary security controls connecting content owners to provider services, tailored to the unique needs of the broadcasting environment whether the customer is B2B or B2C. This support is invaluable in navigating the complexities of modern broadcasting, enabling content owners, in particular, to focus on content creation and delivery while leaving security concerns to the experts.

The path to integrating ISO 27001 with modern broadcast standards is not without challenges. Budget constraints, resistance to change, and the technical complexities of IP infrastructures can be significant. Yet, with a strategic approach that includes engaging stakeholders, providing comprehensive training, and adopting a phased implementation, these challenges can be overcome. The key is to view ISO 27001 not as a compliance exercise but as a framework for operational excellence and innovation.

By partnering with ISO 27001-certified providers, broadcasters gain not only expertise and support but also the peace of mind that comes with the highest security standards. Customers and their providers partner by extending the collective culture of security to each other and their end-user consumers. The call to action for the broadcast industry is clear: embrace ISO 27001 certification as part of your transformation to the IP/Cloud paradigm. Ensure your business, its reputation and your consumers are all governed with security as the basis of their value in you and in their consumer experience.

GB Labs – Unlocking efficiency with NAS-like cloud storage

GB Labs – Unlocking efficiency with NAS-like cloud storage

Dominic Harland, CEO, GB Labs

Media organizations today face the dual challenges of adapting to new ways of working and responding to the increasing demand for high-quality content. Fresh technological advancements, including NAS-like cloud storage technology, have emerged as key enablers of the streamlined, collaborative remote workflows, efficient resource utilization, and increased operational flexibility essential to overcoming these challenges.

Streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration

Storage solutions that give users the familiar experience and performance of working with a NAS but from the cloud are invaluable in streamlining workflows and enhancing collaboration across geographically dispersed teams. With a cloud-first storage system, teams can access and share files seamlessly, collaborating in real-time while working together on the latest version of a project. Users enjoy immediate access to files, mount drives as if storage were locally attached, and experience real-time collaboration regardless of location. Rather than copying files onto hard drives or downloading an entire file to work on a fraction of it, users can access just what they need when they need it.

These innovations in cloud storage for media support editorial, effects, asset management, and other applications, regardless of file size, video format, and bit rate. Integrating cloud storage with existing production tools further streamlines creative workflows, enabling teams to work with the familiar software tools they always have.

An organization relying on sophisticated cloud storage for media can maintain established creative workflows while allowing team members to work from any site, including homes, hotels, and even planes. The organization benefits from its capacity to hire the best talent for a job without concern over geographic location. Moreover, by eliminating the time and cost of bringing team members together at one site, the organization can give team members greater flexibility in contributing to ongoing projects while reducing the time to complete work. These capabilities have become vital by enabling a remote, collaborative work environment, allowing media companies to maintain high levels of productivity and creativity regardless of location.

Modern NAS-like cloud storage systems have advanced data management features that enhance efficiency and security for collaborative remote workflows. Automated workflows and data management protocols minimize the manual effort to organize and maintain large datasets. This automation optimizes data storage and ensures that only necessary data is retained, eliminating the clutter and confusion that duplicate files can cause. Built-in security features such as advanced encryption and stringent access controls provide robust protection against unauthorized access and data breaches. With a cloud storage system that supports monitoring and managing access to sensitive content, media organizations can ensure compliance with data protection regulations and safeguard intellectual property.

Achieving efficient resource utilization

Another significant benefit cloud storage solutions offer organizations over traditional storage systems is optimizing resource usage more effectively. Systems deployed on-site by an organization often require substantial physical infrastructure, continuous maintenance, and ongoing expenditures associated with maintaining servers. These installed systems are typically designed to support peak loads, so this approach leads to overprovisioning and underutilizing resources.

In contrast, cloud storage operates in a virtualized environment that better manages environmental resources. Organizations can allocate resources precisely where and when needed, radically improving utilization and efficiency by scaling their cloud storage capacity and associated energy consumption. With integrated tools for monitoring and visualizing resource usage, cloud storage solutions provide organizations with the tools to assess progress toward their sustainability objectives.

Cloud-first storage is a reliable, fast, and efficient alternative to reinvesting in permanent storage for organizations dealing with a fleet of hardware systems moving toward end of life. In making this transition, some organizations shift the bulk of their data to the cloud while selectively adding local storage to provide media acceleration and cache-level support to clusters of users. When their cloud storage solution interoperates with local storage and VMNe drives, the organization can support clusters of users in the same physical location more efficiently, as users can move the most-used media to storage closer to them, minimizing egress.

Driving operational flexibility

The shift to NAS-like cloud storage is not just a technological upgrade; for any media company or multisite organization that stores and collaborates on media assets across locations, it is a move toward more flexible and efficient production workflows. Organizations can minimize their reliance on physical infrastructure and optimize their resource use. They can leverage the scalability of cloud storage to experiment with new formats and technologies, exploring new opportunities while keeping associated infrastructure costs low.

The demands of the modern media landscape continue to evolve. In shifting to a NAS-like cloud storage solution, media organizations implement innovative, forward-looking solutions to give distributed media and production teams the tools and capabilities they need to collaborate effectively in creating compelling content. Delivering cloud flexibility with on-prem-like performance, this game-changing approach to media storage provides organizations with unprecedented efficiency. Projects are delivered on time and within budget, supported by an innovative storage solution that does not get in the way of the creative process but enhances it by supporting flexibility, efficiency, experimentation, and collaboration.

farmerswife – Introducing Cirkus: your ultimate solution for enhanced team collaboration and efficiency

farmerswife – Introducing Cirkus: your ultimate solution for enhanced team collaboration and efficiency

Carla Molina Whyte, Marketing Executive, farmerswife

In today’s fast-paced work environment, the constant influx of projects brings both excitement and challenges for businesses. As teams grow, the need for meticulous planning and organization becomes paramount. Effective coordination is crucial to prevent burnout and maintain high productivity levels.

To ensure smooth operations, it’s vital to streamline communication and focus on actionable steps amid the busy flow of emails, calls, and competing priorities.

Introducing Cirkus: revolutionizing task and project management

Cirkus, the innovative Software as a Service (SaaS) solution created by farmerswife, is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern teams. This platform integrates multiple communication tools into one convenient hub, simplifying processes and enhancing efficiency in project planning and tracking.

 Seamless team collaboration

Cirkus adapts effortlessly to various collaboration styles, making it an ideal choice for both internal teams and remote freelancers. By providing robust tools for communication, it allows teams to focus on their core tasks without getting bogged down by logistical challenges. Streamlined workflows and clear guidance help team members feel accomplished and motivated.

Powerful features at your fingertips

 

At its core, Cirkus empowers users to strategize, assign, and oversee projects and tasks, track progress, manage time, allocate resources, and share files—all through an intuitive interface. Key features from Cirkus include:

– Customizable templates: adapt to unique project needs with flexible templates

– Cross-platform accessibility: ensure every team member can access tools on any device

– Flexible scheduling: adapt seamlessly to changing priorities and unexpected situations

– Task requests: streamline the process for task requests, projects, and workspaces

– Public request integration: enhance collaboration with simplified submissions for internal and external clients

Enhancing Productivity and Streamlining Workflows

Cirkus stands out with its continuous evolution to meet the demands of modern businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including advanced task management capabilities like due dates, reminders, custom fields, and task triggers. This adaptability ensures optimal resource allocation and enhances productivity, helping teams navigate complexity effortlessly.

Unifying project-related information

One of the standout features of Cirkus is the introduction of public request capabilities. This addition promotes transparency and centralizes project-related information, fostering a unified and collaborative environment for all team members.

Embracing AI for enhanced project management

The role of AI in the media sector is predicted to expand significantly in the near future. To gear up for upcoming advancements and enhance the project management experience, the farmerswife team is developing a plan to integrate these new technologies into their software, thus making Cirkus the perfect tool for modern teams.

Commitment to sustainability

In alignment with future sustainability targets, farmerswife is developing features that enable clients to monitor their carbon emissions impact. This initiative ensures that production budgets consider both client needs and environmental sustainability, making Cirkus a forward-thinking choice for conscientious businesses.

Navigate success with Cirkus

By leveraging the powerful capabilities of Cirkus, teams can easily manage the complexity of today’s dynamic business landscape. Whether you’re coordinating internal projects or working with external clients, Cirkus provides the tools necessary for success. It paves the way for a streamlined, efficient, and collaborative work environment.

Discover the future of task and project management with Cirkus and elevate your team’s productivity to new heights.

 

DOTSCREEN – Native app development vs. using a coding framework

DOTSCREEN – Native app development vs. using a coding framework

Vincent Gattone, DOTSCREEN

In the world of video streaming, the choice between native app development and using a coding framework is a common question providers face. This decision impacts performance, cost, flexibility, and time to market. For companies like DOTSCREEN, which leverages native app development to provide modern video streaming applications across all connected devices, the stakes are particularly high. This article explores the benefits of native app development over coding frameworks, emphasizing why native development is often the preferred choice for high-performance video streaming applications.

Performance benefits

Native app development involves creating applications for a specific platform, such as iOS or Android, using the platform’s native programming languages (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android). This approach ensures that the app is optimized to leverage the full potential of the device’s capabilities.

Native apps are generally faster and more responsive because they are compiled into machine code. This leads to better performance, particularly for resource-intensive video streaming applications that require smooth playback and quick load times. Native development allows developers to utilize platform-specific features and APIs. This is critical for streaming applications that may need to leverage hardware acceleration, custom codecs, or other device-specific functionalities to deliver the best user experience.

Coding frameworks, like React Native or Flutter, allow developers to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms. While this can be efficient, there are performance trade-offs. Apps built using frameworks are often not as optimized for performance as native apps. They might run an additional layer of code, which can introduce latency, a significant drawback for streaming apps where buffering and load times need to be minimized.

Frameworks might not fully support all platform-specific features, leading to compromises in functionality and performance. For example, accessing advanced video processing capabilities might be limited or less efficient compared to native development.

Cost implications

Developing native apps typically requires separate codebases for each platform, which can increase development costs. However, this investment often pays off in the long term.

The need for specialized developers for each platform (such as iOS, Android and Smart TVs) can lead to higher initial development costs. However, this ensures that each version of the app is fully optimized for each target platform. Native apps often have fewer bugs and performance issues, leading to lower maintenance costs over time. The initial higher cost can be offset by reduced expenses in troubleshooting and updates.

Frameworks promise cost savings through code reuse and a unified development process. With a single codebase for multiple platforms, the initial development cost can generally be lower by about 10-20% on the high end. This can be particularly advantageous for startups or companies with limited budgets. However, the potential for increased maintenance costs exists due to compatibility issues and performance limitations, especially in the highly fragmented broadcast industry. The need for platform-specific fixes and optimizations can erode initial savings.

Flexibility

Native apps offer unparalleled flexibility and control, essential for delivering a top-notch streaming experience. Developers can leverage all device features, ensuring the app performs optimally across different devices. This flexibility is crucial for video streaming apps that need to deliver high-quality content without interruptions. Native development allows for greater customization of the user interface and user experience, ensuring the app meets specific design and functionality requirements, with little to no compromises or sacrifices in performance.

While frameworks provide some level of flexibility, they come with limitations. The ability to use a single, unified codebase across platforms can streamline the development process. However, this often means compromising on the app’s ability to fully exploit platform-specific features. It is important to understand the target platform as well. For example, for Android and iOS devices, a coding framework can bring some benefits, but for fragmented platforms such as Smart TVs or set-top-boxes, coding frameworks could be very problematic.

Frameworks can limit the degree of customization, potentially impacting the user experience. For streaming applications, this can mean less control over how content is displayed and interacted with.

Time to market

Native development can result in a longer time to market due to the need to develop separate codebases. While the initial launch may take longer, the resulting apps are often more stable and better performing, which often leads to a more successful launch and user retention. A longer time to market can be mitigated by the use of agile methodology, effective project management and a multi-phased development approach currently used by DOTSCREEN.

Frameworks can accelerate the development process, offering a quicker path to market.

With a single codebase, development and deployment across multiple platforms are faster, allowing companies to launch their apps more quickly. Frameworks are ideal for rapid prototyping and MVP development, enabling quicker feedback and iteration.

DOTSCREEN’s approach

DOTSCREEN takes advantage of the benefits of native app development in the video streaming space. By focusing on native development, DOTSCREEN ensures its streaming applications are optimized for performance across all connected devices, regardless of platform technology.

DOTSCREEN offers smooth, responsive, and high-performing solutions for a variety of platforms, including smart TVs, game consoles, and mobile devices, that meet the demanding expectations of users. Their platform-agnostic expertise in native development allows the full capabilities of each device to be utilized.

Choosing between native app development and a coding framework for video streaming applications involves balancing performance, cost, flexibility, and time to market. Native app development offers superior performance, greater flexibility, and long-term cost benefits, making it the ideal choice for companies focused on delivering high-quality streaming experiences. Whereas the framework approach can come at lower costs and shorter initial time to market, typically only by 10 to 20% comparatively. Which approach is right comes down to a company’s business strategy, target market and environment. No two streaming services are the same.

DOTSCREEN’s commitment to native development underscores the advantages of this approach, providing a benchmark for excellence in the industry. By choosing native development, companies can ensure their video streaming applications meet the highest standards of performance and user satisfaction.

 

Clear-Com – Harnessing Gen-IC for a sustainable and efficient future in broadcast

Clear-Com – Harnessing Gen-IC for a sustainable and efficient future in broadcast

Bob Boster, President, Clear-Com

As the broadcast industry navigates an era of profound transformation, the convergence of efficiency and sustainability has emerged as a critical focus. The challenge facing broadcasters today is not just how to adapt to new technologies but how to do so in a way that balances operational excellence with environmental responsibility. Clear-Com’s Gen-IC Virtual Intercom system is at the forefront of this transformation, offering a compelling solution that addresses the immediate demands for high performance and a low barrier of entry.

In a landscape where operational efficiency is paramount, Gen-IC sets a new standard for how intercom systems can enhance broadcast workflows. Its cloud-native architecture represents a paradigm shift from traditional, hardware-intensive solutions to a more agile and cost-effective model. By embracing a cloud-based approach, Gen-IC provides broadcasters with a scalable, flexible solution that adapts to their evolving needs. This shift not only accelerates deployment but also enables broadcasters to respond with unprecedented speed and agility, ensuring that their operations remain at the cutting edge of the industry.

The integration of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) within Gen-IC is a testament to its innovative design. This feature leverages the ubiquity of personal smartphones and tablets, reducing the need for specialized equipment and thereby lowering costs. More importantly, it democratizes access to advanced intercom capabilities, enabling broadcasters to seamlessly incorporate new team members and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. In an industry where talent acquisition and retention are critical, Gen-IC’s BYOD support helps bridge the gap between experienced and novice staff, fostering a more cohesive and efficient production environment.

But Gen-IC’s adaptability extends beyond BYOD with the inclusion of Station-IC, allowing the system to be accessed through PCs already in place within a TV station or control room, reducing the need for additional devices and conserving valuable rack space that would otherwise be occupied by intercom devices. This consolidation not only cuts down on physical hardware but also enhances operational efficiency, further aligning with sustainability goals by minimizing electronic waste. Gen-IC can also interface with on-premise systems enhancing and expanding prior investments in Clear-Com hardware.

Moreover, the flexibility of Gen-IC’s licensing model dramatically simplifies resource allocation throughout the workday. A license utilized by a reporter in the field in the morning can be reallocated to another user within the station later in the day. Highly flexible configuration management optimizes system capacity, ensuring that broadcasters maximize their investment while maintaining peak operational efficiency. The ability to repurpose licenses across different shifts not only streamlines operations but also supports a more sustainable use of resources.

On the sustainability front, Gen-IC’s cloud-based architecture can reduce reliance on physical infrastructure, aligning with broadcasters’ goals of minimizing environmental impact. The ability to deploy “surge capacity” on a one-month basis further underscores its sustainability credentials. Broadcasters can add resources temporarily for special events without the need for permanent investments, reducing both costs and environmental footprint. This temporary expansion capability allows broadcasters to scale operations as needed while maintaining a sustainable approach to resource management.

As we look to the future, it is clear that many in the broadcast industry must embrace technologies that offer both efficiency and sustainability. Gen-IC stands out as a beacon of this transformation, demonstrating how advanced intercom systems can drive operational success while supporting environmental responsibility. By investing in such forward-thinking solutions, broadcasters can position themselves for long-term success in a rapidly changing landscape, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of both technological advancement and sustainable practice.

In summary, Clear-Com’s Gen-IC intercom system is more than just a technological innovation; it is a strategic enabler of a more efficient and sustainable future in broadcasting. By leveraging cloud-based workflows, intelligent automation, and sustainable practices, Gen-IC provides a blueprint for how the industry can meet its immediate challenges while advancing its long-term goals. As we continue to navigate this transformative era, embracing such technologies will be crucial for achieving operational excellence and environmental stewardship, ensuring that the broadcast industry thrives in the face of ongoing change.

 

 

 

Blue Lucy – Six strategies to unlock value

Blue Lucy – Six strategies to unlock value

Julian Wright, Blue Lucy

How easy is it for large, broad scope projects to deliver actual business value? 

It’s a fact that our industry is littered with quietly, and not so quietly, abandoned big technology projects. Trade shows and networking events are frequently awash with talk of delays, cancellations and scope contractions for contracts that once grabbed the headlines. This begs the question: has the industry lost sight of the importance of value? And how long is too long to wait for your technology initiatives to deliver tangible value to your organization?  

Here at Blue Lucy we are used to implementing integration projects at scale, and although we have some battle scars to prove it, we’ve learned a thing or two about delivering value along the way. We’ve put together six key strategies to mitigate the risks associated with large projects, and the first one is all about scope:

1  Don’t boil, slice:
No, it’s not a cooking tip. It’s a technology and delivery approach that combines to allow projects to be implemented on the basis of the horizonal or vertical operational slice model. Here the supplier and management team work together to prove an end-to-end, or top-to-bottom, operational capability that delivers value quickly. The project then continues on this operational slicing model with the next capability. The hackneyed phase “don’t boil the ocean” is overused, but it fits here. We believe it’s incremental slicing that delivers.

When it comes to technology fundamentals, there is a stand-out model which has proven to be revolutionary in terms of faster development times, ease of deployment and ongoing business agility:

2  No-Code/Low-Code development:
You want to trial and test new operational pipelines and workflows, but you don’t want to wrestle with scripts or build a software development operation (Dev’ Op’).  You know there’s risk in developing and maintaining any software, even apparently simple scripts. You need to keep an eye on what’s right for the business and that includes reducing future liability. Working with no-code technology, your business analysts can build complex operational pipelines from a range of  microservices without requiring any software development knowledge. It’s simple, it’s fast, it’s adaptable, and proven.

We’re in the midst of a media consumption revolution, and it’s key for media companies to exploit this effectively and quickly. Hoping that significant technology decisions will pay dividends when a major project completes two years hence is not a strategy, it’s a gamble. The project needs to be seen to be delivering as it unfolds:

3  Iterative implementation:
Iterative Implementations demonstrate earned value, and this approach delivers feedback at every stage of the project, including visibility of the effects of modifications, and the opportunity to refocus when things change or go wrong. Your operational business needs are many, complex and evolving.  So, choose a technology and vendor that enables a collaborative step-by-step approach. This in turn realizes business value for you incrementally and at speed.

When you have to manage business requirements from multiple stakeholders your technology choices become crucial:

4  Future-ready tech:
Dig into the design philosophy of your technology candidates. Do they enable your vendors to deliver, evolve and support a solution that will keep delivering value to your business over the long term? Making the right choices at this stage of your project will empower you to tackle new business challenges and integrate with emerging technologies, ensuring long-term success for your business and a technical solution that stays relevant.

The days when the executive would sponsor a big-bang multi-year project for which the ROI was years in the future are over. So, how do you effect change? Prioritize the value, focus on relieving operational pains or making business gains, and work with a team that is as focused on the value outcomes as you are:

5  Focus on the value:
In complex integration projects, it’s the project team that makes the difference between ‘good enough’ and ‘exceptional’. Great technology choices turn into outstanding deployments when the engineers are focused on getting you results, right from the start of the implementation. Work with a vendor who is focused on the difference their software can make to your operation. With joint focus, a shared vision, and a proactive approach, you’ll be able to derive value right from the outset.

Our final point could instead be titled ‘Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water’. To be far reaching and impactful, your project doesn’t have to incur pointless expense deploying all new solutions or to start from a ‘clean slate’. Why eradicate successful workflows, or replace fully operational solutions that are still delivering great value:

6  Integrate, don’t deprecate:
A modern, flexible platform will allow a media technology operation to be updated like Trigger’s Broom or, for the well-read, The Ship of Theseus. If you select a solution with hundreds of integration connectors for modern and legacy media platforms, you can keep the cost and disruption of implementations and iterations to a minimum.  The overall operation can be continuously updated with minimal impact and cost risk.

In summary, here at Blue Lucy Towers we firmly believe that it should not be necessary to have to write any software to get value from a content management/supply platform, and that any such platform absolutely should be able to deliver end-to-end business value in less than six weeks. Try iterative strategies, move away from a waterfall approach, and focus on value. If you don’t, the outcome might be a solution that simply fixes yesterday’s problems, but not until tomorrow.