Net Insight – Automation is shaping the future of media
David Edwards, Product Manager at Net Insight
The media industry is moving at super high speed. New business models, offerings, and business deals are changing the industry dynamics, leading players to rethink their strategies to remain competitive and grow. At the same time, consumer appetite for compelling and enriched content, including shoulder programming doesn’t seem to be subsiding.
Media companies are faced with a real opportunity and challenge — they need to be ready to manage a significant spike in live streams from acquisition right through to content delivery across platforms to tap into more audiences and revenue. This means more complex workflows and core media networks to acquire and deliver content to a plethora of destinations.
Traditional models can no longer cut it. The next chapter of video production and delivery requires speed and automation. Next-generation software-defined media networks remove complexity and ensure the agility and responsiveness that media organizations need to keep up with the pace of change and take on a leading role in shaping the future of media.
Riding the automation speed train
Launching new channels requires several months of planning and preparation when using legacy methods. Today, bringing new media offerings to market can be achieved at a far more rapid pace. The power of cloud technology has meant that software-defined media platforms and hardware products operating with software deliver the flexibility and agility that media organizations need to innovate and evolve quickly and reliably.
The sheer increase in the volume of content acquired and delivered means that it’s essential for media businesses to be able to control this content seamlessly. This is where automation becomes a business-critical capability. By establishing ‘software layers’ of control and monitoring based on open APIs, media organizations can configure, reconfigure, expand, and monitor systems and networks very quickly and effectively. For example, automated workflows enable a system to be reconfigured simply and rapidly ahead of a big live sporting event. This means the network can scale up fast and add more live feed destinations, tapping into growing monetizable audiences. It can then scale down quickly to accommodate network traffic troughs and avoid the costs of running at full speed unnecessarily.
The right workflows and technology foundations deliver ease of use. Media companies can utilize predetermined configurations for specific use cases and set up systems with a click of a button. This level of automation also means that a large video network will alert when there is an error with a service, enabling fast response and resolution that minimizes risks. This is particularly important when it comes to high-value live content where the stakes are high, and any error can prove extremely damaging. Imagine being in the middle of a top-tier live event when a misconfiguration leads the entire network to shut down or an ad not to be served. The reputational and financial damage can be enormous. Automated systems can safeguard against errors by identifying and alerting so the engineering team has full control and visibility over the health of the media network and can intervene to resolve issues as soon as they arise.
Importantly, given that these software-defined media networks and platforms are often powered by the cloud, they can be managed and controlled from anywhere in the world without having to rely on physical presence. This flexibility opens up even more opportunities for remote collaboration, tapping into an expanded pool of talent, and the efficient use of resources.
Automated media networks also create strategic opportunities for media service providers. Launching new media offerings no longer requires building everything from scratch. Automated tools allow media services partners to better productize their services, driving more efficiencies and delivering clearer services to their customers.
Boosting efficiency and unleashing creativity
Next-generation software-defined media networks remove unnecessary complexity from processes, workflows, and networks. As such they reduce costs and drive operational efficiencies. Within a simplified and efficient production framework, content owners are able to be creative with their content. They can not only produce a higher volume of content but also make it more exciting and compelling. From premium Tier 1 live events to companion content for digital platforms, industry players can increase consumer engagement and drive more monetization.
In a complex and dynamic media environment, automation provides content owners with the peace of mind that their content is managed and controlled to the highest standards so that they can focus on business growth.
Automation as an innovation driver
On top of improving operational efficiencies, software-defined media networks unleash unparalleled creativity and innovation with the speed and reliability they deliver. Automation tools that manage the content end-to-end and can adapt media platforms and networks at a moment’s notice are mission-critical — they drive dramatic efficiencies and guarantee the seamless and error-free operation of systems.
Media companies and service providers can leverage simplified and secure core media networks and workflows to gain the control they need to shape their business strategies and take advantage of new monetization opportunities. In a fast-evolving media industry, automation is the innovation enabler for forward-thinking players.
