New eMAM Blog

Monday, November 5, 2012

StrongBox® and eMAM Team Up to Empower Digital Asset Management and Data Preservation



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Streamlined Media and Entertainment Archiving as a Seamless Step in Workflow

AUSTIN, Texas – November 5, 2012 Crossroads Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDS) a global provider of data archive solutions, and Empress Media Asset Management, LLC, a leader in media asset management software, today announced a partnership that offers the media and entertainment industry a powerful joint solution for the management and archival of digital content.

Through the Crossroads-Empress partnership, StrongBox, Crossroads’ LTFS NAS archive solution that serves as shared storage for data archive and preservation, now works with eMAM™, Empress’ signature software package that provides powerful and flexible Web-based platforms for managing digital assets. Crossroads partnered with Empress due to its proven technology and its extensive market presence within the media and entertainment industry.

StrongBox, the first enterprise-level storage solution to leverage Linear Tape File System (LTFS) technology, allows tape storage to walk and talk like expensive disk-based storage. It’s the industry’s leading non-proprietary, file-based and fully portable storage solution that offers cost-efficient file archiving across a wide range of industries. By combining StrongBox technology with eMAM, organizations gain maximum content management capabilities, while gaining significant cost savings by utilizing tape-based archives instead of disk. The joint solution provides quick search and proxy preview of content and makes archiving and restoration seamless steps in the production process performed directly from the eMAM Director user interface.

“With the interest we’re seeing from media and entertainment organizations surrounding the reliability and cost-savings available through StrongBox, it seemed ideal to partner with an asset management innovator such as Empress,” said David Cerf, executive vice president of business and corporate development at Crossroads Systems. “Our joint customers benefit from unmatched storage capabilities and superior management platforms that make content archival a smooth, efficient process in the media and entertainment work flow. Crossroads looks forward to working with Empress to further solve M&E content archive and management challenges with the eMAM-StrongBox solution.”

“We are excited about our strategic partnership with Crossroads,” said Shaun McTernan, vice president of sales and business development at Empress. “The seamless integration with their Strongbox and eMAM will provide our customers with a complete, scalable enterprise media archive and management solution.”

About StrongBox
StrongBox is a shared storage solution purpose-built for data archival and preservation. Using Linear Tape File System (LTFS) technology and intelligent storage architecture with standard file systems (CIFS/NFS), StrongBox empowers online, all the time file availability with uncompromised data protection, full data mobility, non-proprietary file storage and significant cost-savings. StrongBox unifies your archive - past and present - while providing seamless scalability and reliability for the future. Visit: www.crossroads.com/products/strongbox.

About Crossroads Systems
Crossroads Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDS) is a global provider of data archive solutions. Through the innovative use of new technologies, Crossroads delivers customer-driven solutions that enable proactive data security, advanced data archiving, optimized performance and significant cost-savings. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Austin, TX, Crossroads holds more than 100 patents and has been honored with numerous industry awards for data archiving, storage and protection. Visit www.crossroads.com.

About eMAM
eMAM is a powerful , flexible and scalable asset management system designed to meet the needs of a wide range of clients. It is available in four product lines. eMAM Online is a  hosted software as a service (SaaS) system. eMAM Vault is a full-featured  archive management system. eMAM Workgroup is a full asset management system designed to meet the needs of a wide range of customers. eMAM Enterprise is a scaled system designed to meet the redundancy, fail-over and throughput demands of the largest organizations. Visit www.empressmam.com.

About Empress Media Asset Management
Empress Media Asset Management is a technology-leading provider of digital asset management and workflow management systems for broadcast, media, and corporate clients. It is part of the Empress family of companies, which includes Empress Cybernetics System PVT LTD, specializing in customized software and database development and Empress Media Inc, one of the largest distributors of blank recording media and supplies. Visit www.empressmam.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements that relate to the business and future events or future performance of Crossroads Systems, Inc. and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause its actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Words such as, but not limited to, "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "targets," "likely," "will," "would," "could," and similar expressions or phrases identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Crossroads Systems' ability to implement its business strategy, including the transition from a hardware storage company to a software solutions and services provider, its ability to expand its distribution channels, its ability to maintain or broaden relationships with existing distribution channels and strategic alliances and develop new industry relationships, the performance of third parties in its distribution channels and of its strategic alliances, uncertainties relating to product development and commercialization, the ability to obtain, maintain or protect patent and other proprietary intellectual property rights, technological change in its industry, market acceptance of its products and services, future capital requirements, regulatory actions or delays, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein. Forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management's beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made. Crossroads Systems does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances.

©2012 Crossroads Systems, Inc. Crossroads and Crossroads Systems are registered trademarks of Crossroads Systems, Inc. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Hurricane Sandy



In the aftermath of Sandy, we closed our NY operations Monday and Tuesday with partial operation on Wed.   We are now back to full staff on Thursday November 1.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.  

Our hearts and prayers go out to people affected by this event. 


David S Miller | COO

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Join us for an open house with SGL and Spectralogic


eMAM Digital Asset Management software provides a simple, but powerful front-end interface
FlashNet provides a complete archive management system with partial restore and other cutting edge features
Provides world class LTO library systems, scalable for the largest of needs
 

eMAM Announces distributed workflow model


eMAM Announces a powerful and cost-effective distributed workflow model with the flexibility to meet the needs of worldwide collaborative rich media projects

eMAM is a digital asset management system that provides a complete enterprise digital asset management/media asset management tool set accessible from any web browser.

This workflow model is suitable for organizations that want to work with the high resolution material locally at different office locations and power a collaborative review and approval process. This system allows users to use a single interface to preview and manage the content that is scattered around the world at different locations in storage systems, editing systems, play-out servers, LTO Archive, etc...

Onsite Acquisition:   The eMAM Feeder is a desktop application for MAC, PCs or laptops.   It allows secure ingest, categorization, and tagging of assets into the eMAM system.     It has a localized database to store the upload status and metadata in case the centralized eMAM system is inaccessible. 

The eMAM Transcode Manager installed locally generates a proxy copy for web based preview and extracts embedded metadata to power search.  The eMAM feeder automatically identifies the native file structure of the P2, S x S, AVCHD, ARRI ALEXA and XDCAM camera inputs for input, storage, and processing (archive, delivery, etc…).  

Native Content:  Because eMAM powers universal media asset management, authorized users can archive, (partial) restore, and deliver native content as needed directly from onsite storage and/or library systems.   The eMAM Transcode Manager is fully integrated with Harmonic ProMedia Carbon to transcode media as needed to a wide variety of codecs and formats. The native content can also be transferred to centralized storage (i.e. client servers) for editing and storage and likewise managed there.

Online/Cloud Proxies:  Whether stored in our dedicated server farm or in the cloud, proxy copies of all content can be stored for universal access and collaboration.  

Database:   The core eMAM system can be located on client servers, in our dedicated server farm, or in the cloud.  

Accelerated Transfer:  eMAM seamlessly integrates with technologies such as Aspera and Signiant or infrastructure from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or CDN platforms to accelerate worldwide transfer of content.   Our internal tests for initial downloads with AWS S3 shows initial download speeds 40 x faster than standard internet, with later transfer faster if the data is cached or if stored in a bucket near to the point of download.

Onsite Archive:   eMAM can directly manage storage on direct, network attached storage and storage area network systems.   It also integrates with leading archive management platforms, including SGL FlashNet, XenData, Crossroads Strongbox, and QStar, to power LTO libraries and drives.   Using the eMAM interface, users can manually or automatically archive content to LTO.  LTO is the leading standard for archive storage; so many productions require one or two LTO copies made for all content.   At very low cost, eMAM can manage one or two LTFS attached LTO drives with tapes stored on the shelf:   the system will trigger an alert when tapes need to be manually loaded.   eMAM can also run a robotic LTO library with massive scalability using Qualstar, Spectralogic or other libraries.  
The eMAM online library provides access to content in current storage and archive.   Archived assets will be restored as needed for download and delivery.   The markers tab allows users to make set in and set out points for partial restore of archived content.

Flexibility where and when you need it:  eMAM components can now run in different locations as needed.   Localized ingest points, with or without archive storage, can provide proxy copies for worldwide approval/review processes.   Media can be delivered/downloaded directly from onsite locations, from our dedicated server farm, or from client centralized storage.    Clients can purchase or rent remote ingest stations, online storage, cloud storage, and installed workgroup or larger enterprise systems to meet their current or future needs.  All processes are run off the intuitive eMAM web interfaces accessible anywhere by any authorized user.   The ease of use simplifies support and training.   EMAM gives users power to review, share, and collaborate worldwide regardless of where the native and proxy content is actually stored.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

eMAM Channel Development Strategy 2012


Our strategy is to provide competitive media asset management products through reputable and qualified system integrators.   System integrators are trusted technology partners for their clients, offering best of breed solutions.   We see digital asset management as an important part of any technology design project, so we look to successful partnerships to help meet the needs of mutual customers.   We also look for important feedback so our present and future development efforts best meet emerging needs in the marketplace. 

Empress is actively pursuing integrators that provide consultation, services and products that meet the needs of companies and organizations that have a need to manage libraries of video, graphics and other documents. The capabilities, scalability and features of our eMAM platform of products has proven to be very beneficial to many organizations both large and small. eMAM improves workflows, eliminates IT headaches and provides a user friendly environment allowing secure access to content for users of all types. Empress offers our system integrators unparalleled support from pre-sale consultation to post-sale support.

The advantage for system integrators that choose eMAM as their media asset management offering is the flexibility eMAM offers when integrating with other systems. eMAM’s web services API makes this task not only possible but seamless. Empress also works closely with strategic partners including: archive management software companies, storage companies and other industry related companies.

The other distinct advantage for system integrators is the broad product base, allowing them to best meet the exact needs of their customers.    eMAM Enterprise is a fully scaled solution designed for the largest organizations.   eMAM Workgroup is a workflow solution to meet the needs of many different customers.   eMAM Vault is an archive solution to meet the needs of clients looking for storage and archive management tools.   eMAM Online is a SaaS (Software as a Service) offering to host client material from our dedicated server farm or from  cloud storage.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Empress Media Asset Management, LLC. partners with Digital Rapids


Empress Media Asset Management, LLC. partners with Digital Rapids

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Digital Rapids Announces Extensive Industry Support and New Partnerships for Kayak Workflow Platform

September 7, 2012 — IBC 2012, Amsterdam, Stand 7.F33: Digital Rapids – the trusted provider of innovative media transformation and workflow solutions for bringing content to wider audiences – today announced accelerating industry support for the company’s ground-breaking new Kayak™ dynamic workflow platform, with the addition of over 20 new companies to the Kayak ecosystem since the platform’s public debut earlier this year.

The new alliances range from technology and solutions providers to systems integration specialists. Third-party companies with offerings spanning all critical workflow functions – from codec technologies to tools for quality control, audio loudness management, digital rights management and more – are integrating their technologies directly into the Kayak platform. Meanwhile, systems integration partners stand ready to work with media organizations to deploy Kayak-powered workflows within their operations, including the development of custom Kayak components for proprietary functionality.

The most recent participants in the Kayak partner ecosystem include Automatic Sync Technologies; BuyDRM; Corpus Media Labs; Digimetrics; DSB Consulting; Empress Media Asset Management, LLC; EZDRM; Hitachi Solutions; Ignite Technologies, Inc.; Interra Systems; Irdeto; Manzanita Systems; Minnetonka Audio Software; National TeleConsultants; PixelTools; R Systems Inc.; Screen Subtitling Systems; Signiant; Solekai Systems; Tata Elxsi; Venera Technologies and VidCheck. These companies join over 35 additional industry leaders in Digital Rapids’ partner and alliance programs.

A number of these partners are showcasing or announcing Kayak-based components and solutions at the IBC exhibition in Amsterdam, including:

  • Digimetrics’ Eos Audio Normalizer corrects, in a single pass, audio to ATSC A/85, EBU R128 and ARIB TR-B32 specifications for regulatory compliance. Digimetrics is also developing a Kayak component based on their Aurora quality control solution.
  • Interra Systems’ Baton enterprise-class quality control solution verifies file-based content passing through various steps of Kayak workflows for conformance to format standards, regulatory compliance and a wide variety of video and audio quality checks.
  • Multiple MPEG-related solutions from Manzanita Systems, including an array of multiplexers – for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), the recently released MPEG-DASH specification, MPEG transport streams and program streams – and the CrossCheck™ automated transport stream analyzer.
  • PixelTools MPEG Encoder, providing high-quality MPEG-2 encoding for broadcast and IP applications of content up to 16K by 16K frame sizes with support for Closed Captions, AFD, CGMS, APS and Advisory Data insertion.
  • Tata Elxsi’s AAC-LC audio codec, with additional audio and video pre/post-processing and codec components targeting broadcast workflows also planned.
  • Venera Technologies' PulsarBridge, providing an interface between Kayak-based media processing workflows and Venera's Pulsar quality control software for automatic media file verification. Venera is also planning further Kayak integrations.

These new developments join Kayak components demonstrated earlier this year, including audio and video encoding and management solutions from Dolby Laboratories, DTS and Rovi’s MainConcept.

A significant departure from other workflow technology approaches, Kayak enables media organizations to design, deploy and manage customized workflows that empower their businesses with the operational efficiency, agility and insight they need to thrive in the expanding multi-screen media landscape. Kayak’s component-based architecture and rich, open ecosystem provide customers with unparalleled ease in integrating new technologies in response to market trends or new opportunities, while its intelligent automation and dynamic deployment model maximize processing efficiency, optimize resource utilization, minimize management effort and reduce costs.

Kayak is available as a comprehensive workflow design and development platform for systems integrators, software developers and customers, and ‘under-the hood’ of Digital Rapids’ newest solutions for end-user applications, including version 2.0 of the Digital Rapids Transcode Manager® high-volume media processing software and the StreamZ Live Broadcast™ integrated broadcast/multi-screen live encoder.

“We’re thrilled with the tremendous response from our solution partners and their excitement about leveraging Kayak to integrate their technologies into leading-edge workflows and to extend their market reach,” said Onkar Parmar, Senior Partnership Manager for Kayak at Digital Rapids. “The richness of the Kayak partner ecosystem is one of the platform’s key strengths, combining with its unique architecture to let our mutual customers quickly integrate new technologies into their operations while ‘mixing and matching’ partner solutions to create the optimal workflows for their needs.”

“Kayak enables a wide range of applications, and providing a component that enables audio loudness correction within the Kayak framework allows us to integrate seamlessly into a broad variety of workflows and use cases without any additional effort from either the user or vendor side,” said Eric Carson, Business Unit Manager of Digimetrics. “In one word, this makes Kayak ‘revolutionary’.”

“Digital Rapids' Kayak platform allows our mutual customers to quickly and flexibly integrate Dolby Digital Plus premium multi-channel audio encoding and Dolby’s loudness correction technology into powerful workflows to efficiently realize and differentiate their multi-screen offerings,” said Jean-Christophe Morizur, Senior Director, Professional Solutions – E-Media at Dolby Laboratories. “We share our customers' excitement about the Kayak platform, and look forward to further deepening our involvement in the Kayak ecosystem.”

“We’re excited to be working closely with Digital Rapids to integrate our advanced audio technologies into the Kayak platform,” said Ronny Katz, Sr. Director, Digital Media at DTS. “The customer response to the joint UltraViolet and MPEG-DASH demonstrations we’ve conducted has been phenomenal. The combination of Kayak and our audio solutions provides a powerful, future-proof platform for our mutual customers as their needs continue to evolve to encompass new standards, devices and market trends.”

“Manzanita Systems is enthusiastic to bring our family of MPEG software solutions to the Kayak platform,” said Greg Vines, President of Manzanita Systems. “We look forward to the benefits the flexible ecosystem will bring to customers’ media processing workflows and are eager to expand our contributions to the component library in the future.”

“We’re pleased that we can now make PixelTools’ high-quality MPEG tools available to Digital Rapids customers for use in their advanced media processing workflows through the flexible and easily customizable Kayak platform,” commented Mark Conover, CTO at PixelTools.

“The innovative Kayak platform provides a perfect opportunity for Venera to bring our QC technologies to Digital Rapids customers, enabling them to enhance their media production and delivery operations with content verification at various stages of their workflows. The ease with which Kayak users can integrate our QC components into powerful workflows is simply amazing,” said Fereidoon Khosravi, SVP of Business Development , Americas at Venera Technologies. “The Kayak partner ecosystem provides us with an attractive venue for showcasing our advanced QC tools and expanding our market, and we’re very excited to be part of it.”



About Digital Rapids CorporationDigital Rapids provides market-leading content transformation and workflow solutions that empower the world’s leading media organizations to reach wider audiences more efficiently, more effectively and more profitably. Recipients of more than two dozen prestigious awards for company and product excellence, Digital Rapids combines innovative technology with proven expertise and visionary insight to help our customers expand their audiences, increase their revenues, and reduce their costs. Digital Rapids Corporation (www.digitalrapids.com) is headquartered in Ontario, Canada with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Australia and Argentina.

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Copyright 2012 Digital Rapids Corporation. All rights reserved. Digital Rapids, the Digital Rapids logo, Digital Rapids Transcode Manager, StreamZ Live Broadcast and Kayak are trademarks or registered trademarks of Digital Rapids Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.





Press Contact (Americas)
Mike Nann
Director of Marketing/Cmns
Digital Rapids Corp.
(905) 946-9666 Ext. 135
Press Contacts (Europe/Asia)
Kerr Duffy
Marketing Manager
Digital Rapids Europe
+44 (0) 1428 751 012

Jan Dixon
+44 (0) 1297 489229