Taking a hard look at operations
Mar 9, 2009 8:49 AM, By Michael Grotticelli
Pilat Media’s Integrated Broadcast Management System (IBMS) software platform improves business performance by streamlining the handling of programming, advertising sales and overall media operations.
Like all of the vendors in the category, Pilat Media's IBMS and MediaPro products can be deployed in modules for specific business and creative units, or as an enterprise-wide integrated system. That’s the beauty of a software platform — it can be integrated into an existing facility in stages, so as not to disrupt the ongoing operations.
Harris markets its OSi-Traffic and ADC automation software suites, which support the entire broadcast operation, from proposals and sales through scheduling and playout. They also accommodate third-party products and extend licensing capabilities that work together to help facilities or station groups manage and grow their business. The ease at which these software platforms can be seamlessly integrated into existing infrastructures is critical to success.
The OSi-Traffic platform automates data exchange and workflow processes while supporting multichannel broadcasts in HD and SD. The various applications also help prepare and distribute content to alternative delivery platforms, including VOD, IPTV and mobile video. This is something virtually every media company is pursuing.
Getting creative to improve productivity
In these tough times broadcasters’ goals have shifted from making profit (although that’s always the end game) to finding creative ways to become more efficient with fewer resources. ScheduALL, which markets several types of workflow technology and resource (facilities and people) management solutions, is helping clients such as CBS, Fox News Network, and Turner Studios make their existing resources more productive. These media companies are not adding additional staff yet they continue to add new channels and services.
ScheduALL’s engineers have developed an Enterprise Resource Management (ERM) solution that facilitates resource sharing within a single plant or across facilities that are geographically dispersed. It allows operations managers to keep a tight grip on making the most of what’s available to them from their desktop on a daily basis. Resources can be shared on a one-to-one basis within dedicated business units and also be made available to the entire corporation via a secure online network.
The age-old term “media asset management” continues to be an important part of streamlined operations management, deployed for the sake of cost savings. Grass Valley has developed a solution called ContentShare2 that targets the full gamut of assets and content with a wide array of software features that support any type of broadcast operation.
It allows a user to link virtually any essence type to an asset and manage it throughout the system. This lets the software handle multiple resolutions and formats of the same content, keep multiple audio tracks intact and simultaneously orchestrate a variety of other functions. Documents, spreadsheets or specific information can also be attached to any asset or group of assets.
Eric DuFossé, director of marketing systems solutions at Grass Valley, said that for broadcasters to streamline their operations cost-effectively, “the key is to administrate the entire operation, not the specific task.”
Getting more from less is a goal everyone is trying to achieve.
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