Mediator's Transfer Management capabilities balance bandwidth, capacity, expansion and resilience within the content management workflow. Content is staged by Mediator to the most efficient layer in the storage architecture as required.
Mediator allows an independent choice of third party storage subsystems from both broadcast and IT vendors. Intermediate high performance online storage can be integrated with systems including Isilon IQ clustered storage, Omneon Media Grid and generic IT storage.
Mediator manages high performance disc based and data tape based stoarge technology side by side. Data tape archive integration includes Front Porch Digital, XenData and SGL. The integration and on-going support of all high performance storage sub systems can be handled in-house by Pharos and can now be covered under new Pharos Support Agreements.
Priority based
When requesting material a destination and a time required are given. This information is used to prioritise transfers, making sure that the most important jobs happen first. Mediator seamlessly handles movement through multiple server routes, choosing the most efficient route, even in a multi-hop system.
Integration between Workflow and Automation
Considerable benefit can be gained through Mediator's close integration with playout automation systems. When linking to an automation system Mediator uses the playout server as a destination and the time to air as a priority indicator. Material is automatically requested through these references to the schedule. Missing lists can be generated that show what action needs to happen to ensure a piece of material will make it to air.
Workflow and Transfer Request Status
Mediator shows the current status of all material that is in the process of being transferred around the system. This includes the number of transfer requests being handled, where in the queue the transfer stands (if applicable) and the estimated time of arrival (ETA) when the material will arrive at its destination. Mediator also manages transfers to and from third party systems such a post production, sub title production and VOD for example.
Nearline Data Tape Library and HSM integration
To manage data tape libraries Mediator is integrated with the most popular HSM manufacturers. The latest version of Front Porch Diva, XenData MX server and SGL's Flashnet are already rolled out to customers.
Content Lifecycle management and Delete management
As well as handling transfer management, Mediator also handles global delete management on all the servers to provide unified content lifecycle management. Flexible business logic is applied to choose which material to delete. Mediator offers a standard set of rules and can include look at the playlists or the workflow state of the material. If space is running low this is flagged as an alarm to the user.
Transcoding and Rewrapping
Moving files between disparate operational environments such as ingest, post production and transmission with existing technology from different manufacturers is a key requirement in any media management architecture. Repurposing of material for wider distribution has also become one of the most important aspects of file based broadcast operations. Pharos Mediator provides transcoding and rewrapping workflow that plugs directly into the storage and transfer management system using a wide range of third party transcoders.