Pharos debut Mediator 4 to drive playout, promotions and new media
The next-generation content management platform
Since IBC 2007 Pharos has been working closely with key customers to develop new options for the Mediator content management platform. Key to Mediator 4 is a new streamlined user interface to help all areas of the business work together more efficiently. Advanced workflow, search tools and services are now added to retrieve, promote and deliver content for playout and beyond to new VOD and mobile services.
"Whether their future business opportunity is promoting content, creating channels or expanding their distribution our customers are asking for a single platform to manage their material and operations," explains Russell Grute at Pharos. "They now seek to manage operations more efficiently for increasingly complex multi-language and multichannel distribution. This requires a proven workflow engine capable of dealing securely with thousands of manual and automated processes every day. Mediator 4 enables this and, delivers workflow to drive content and promotions for VOD, IPTV and mobile services alongside playout operations."
"They are also demanding an all-new level of business reporting to ensure that they are meeting service level agreements, whilst at the same time using their creative talent and, optimising their technology infrastructure."
Mediator 4 adds new functionality to manage content globally from the desktop. Mediator 4 incorporates productivity enhancements for all areas of operations including Library Management, Ingest, QC, Promotions, Compliance and Approvals. Mediator 4 will be available as an upgrade for existing Pharos Mediator systems. Mediator 4 provides a next-generation platform which integrates content management and workflow to drive playout and new media distribution.
New at IBC 2008 Mediator 4
NEW Mediator 4 advanced search tools and framework provide easier access to the right content and metadata across the enterprise with high quality browse at every desktop.
NEW Mediator 4 multi-language user interface allows users to share the same system and material, working together both locally and remotely in their preferred language. A possible first for a broadcast content management system, this important addition to Mediator will be demonstrated at IBC 2008.
NEW Playtime web based playout allows playout and publishing operations to be distributed between international broadcasters, service providers, their affiliates and clients.
NEW Playtime Event Templates now enable traffic or scheduling systems to directly manage channel and content promotion for any distribution platform including VOD, IPTV and mobile. Playtime Event Templates manage all secondary events such as graphics, subtitles, and multi-language audio as a single business process.
NEW Mediator 4 Business Reports, a unique range of reports to help improve short term and long range business planning. Every action in Mediator is tracked in real-time against business priorities such as the schedule or service level agreement.
Mediator 4 Dashboards provide live information to monitor the current state of the system and infrastructure to enable the optimal allocation of resources.
Mediator 4 Analysis displays provide accurate information to evaluate operational performance and trends using historical data. This information can be used for long range planning, to better determine operational efficiency and system utilisation.
Mediator 4 Lists provide operators working in areas such as Library or Ingest for example with "pick lists" or "transfer request lists" to keep work moving at all times. Mediator Lists can also be provided to third party systems such as channel management and traffic.
Mediator modular workflow Task Packs. User interfaces and workflows for key operational roles are now offered as optional Task Packs. Mediator offers a secure and efficient workflow by aligning users, roles and tasks in all areas of operations. Mediator Task Packs include: Library, Ingest, QC, Promotions, Compliance, Approvals, Playout and Control. Each Task Pack presents a set of sequential tasks empowering operators to manage workflow efficiently.
New: New-media workflow Task Pack for VOD and mobile A key new Mediator Task Pack enables content to be managed for new media output platforms such as VOD, Mobile and Internet based delivery. Material can be managed alongside linear playout or as a separate workflow depending on the delivery requirements.
New: Subtitle workflow Task Pack Mediator 4 efficiently integrates subtitle creation and publishing and voice-overs for international distribution at the optimal stage in the workflow. Subtitle systems from multiple third party suppliers can be used within the same system.
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Find Pharos at IBC using the ibc interactive floorplan
Pharos Mediator 4 advanced search tools and services bring users in all areas of operations closer to the right content for the task at hand
Published on 15 Aug 2008