PANELLISTS
18
August 2015
MAM and archives : the bigger picture
NEC ’ s NIAS reduces information leaks
NEC Corporation has started shipping the NEC Information Assessment System V3.2 ( NIAS V3.2 ), its new file server management software . NIAS supports the operation and management of file servers by enabling the virtualisation of the usage status and access permission settings of files , as well as the discovery and clean-up of redundant files within file servers . It is also designed to enable high-speed detection and clean-up of files by using an in-memory data processing technology , which allows the analysis of high-capacity file servers to be completed in a shorter period of time . Nobuhiko Kishinoue , general manager , Cloud Platform Division , NEC Corporation , said : “ By providing detailed visualisations of access permission settings and enabling easy detection and amendment of settings that violate the codes or operating regulations of companies and organisations , NIAS V3.2 achieves improved security while reducing the workload of operating administrators .”
Avid acquires Orad Hi-Tec Systems
Avid has completed the acquisition of Orad Hi-Tec Systems . According to Avid , the Orad product lines are highly complementary to the Avid MediaCentral Platform , and allow Avid to further deliver on its commitment to give media organisations and creative professionals more “ comprehensive workflows ” with greater choice , flexibility and operational efficiency . Louis Hernandez , chairman , president and CEO of Avid , said : “ Many of Avid ’ s and Orad ’ s solutions are already well integrated and widely used together by the world ’ s top media organisations , and we are working aggressively to bring all of Orad ’ s product lines into the Avid MediaCentral platform quickly . We look forward to keeping the community updated on our progress in the coming weeks and months .” w
Next Month @ Management Routers
PANELLISTS
Christopher Slaughter
CEO CASBAA
Phuah Aik Chong
Senior Vice-President Technology ASTRO
While MAMs and archiving solutions usually go handin-hand , how does one make sure they can work seamlessly together ? Millette Manalo-Burgos finds out …
T wo key areas in production workflows that broadcasters often focus on are archive and media asset management ( MAM ). While these two often work hand-in-hand , it is also important for network operators to know how these two crucial components work in tandem to achieve a seamless workflow .
For example , Donald Li , SGL director of sales ( APAC ), tells APB , that broadcasters should look at the big picture when it comes not only to archive solutions — which SGL provides — but also the systems working with them .
He says : “ Unlike independent production users , who prefer to operate
When considering a new MAM solution , finding one that can adequately monetise content in all platforms is key , Mariano Monteverde , the recently appointed sales director for APAC at VSN , tells APB .
He explains : “ The world of TV and broadcasting has changed in the past five years , more than in the previous five decades , and it will change even more in the coming years . We have to accept that the relation with the audience is not the same anymore and that content delivery times are shorter than ever , reaching over many different paths .
“ Adequately monetising content in different platforms is the key to adapt and survive in this new context . Nowadays , MAM systems should be able to increase the efficiency of any company ’ s internal workflows and the performance of every asset .”
Thus , a contemporary MAM system should have a service-oriented architecture ( SOA ), with two main components . Monteverde recommends : n A Media Bus layer for transforming and moving securely media between platforms . n An Enterprise Service Bus ( ESB ) layer integrating applications through standards such as FIMS , BXF or MOS . individual , stand-alone and mostly portable file-backup and storage appliances , broadcasters should focus on complete workflow efficiency with improved integration between a centrally operated content archive system and host applications that benefit from
Tips : MAM should monetise content
VSN ’ s Mario Monteverde : ““ We should keep in mind content is king and that distribution and branding are queen .”
SGL works to continuously improve its FlashNet product offerings so that it is always compatible with the latest storage technologies and media broadcast workflows .
The MAM should be flexible enough to be installed in a local infrastructure , in the cloud or in a hybrid configuration of both .
Over these pillars , a Business Process Management ( BPM ), which is well integrated with the MAM system , should provide orchestration of the processes . Extended workflow automation enables the compliance of policies , the increase of productivity as well as providing a fast , uniform and comprehensive implementation of new business models and operations .
“ In that sense , flexibility and openness is a must . Convergence the archive service .”
Li explains that while archiving solu tions started as backend middleware , usually hidden behind the playback automation system , they have evolved into “ one of the media industry ’ s key components for managing between broadcast and IT is a reality , and embracing connectivity between systems is going to drive the future of distribution and , therefore , of content awareness ,” says Monteverde . “ We should keep in mind content is king and that distribution and branding are queen .”
Subsequently , any MAM should provide flexible cataloguing and extensive descriptive logging layers of the content . In other words , descriptive metadata , M-Data , is required to be dynamic and evolve within the MAM , allowing to quickly locate the content , triggering orchestrated workflows and / or providing key information to the distribution platforms .
He continues : “ We believe a contemporary MAM should provide graphical tools to define the sets of metadata , allowing the end-user to modify or create new sets when necessary in the future .”
Regarding the preparation for integrating a new MAM system into an existing production workflow , Monteverde recommends the following to ensure the following premises are met : n Support of the existing online shared storages and HSM . n Support of existing low-res proxies to avoid massively retrieving content from the near- or off-line storages . n Access to the M-Data to be imported to the new MAM : through the DB or exported files (. csv , XML , and so on ). n Tight integration with the elements of the distribution platforms , such as the BMS , video servers , social networks or CMS . n It is desirable that the MAM and the PAM assets share the same MediaIDs and exchange assets like sequences or NLE projects as well as associated M-Data . n Definition of the new roles and workflows due to additional functionalities .
“ Keep in mind an open architecture will help to take the most of prior investment as well as minimising deployment times associated to training . The MAM is today the core system of M & E companies , so it is necessary to be sure that it can grow as the business ’ needs and demands do ,” Monteverde concludes .