ABC Deploys Aspera As The Foundation For File-Based Syndication System
August 28, 2012
Aspera’s Enterprise Server, Point-to-Point Clients, and SDK replace legacy satellite-based system for automated content ingest and distribution.
Aspera. Inc, creators of next-generation software technologies that move the world’s large data maximum speed, and Digistor announced that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has deployed Aspera technology as the foundation for their File Based Syndication system, automating workflow and high-speed content distribution to satellite offices throughout Australia from a distribution point in Sydney. Using Aspera’s comprehensive API’s, ABC was able to create an interactive dashboard for centrally managing and monitoring the entire system. The complete solution streamlined workflows, while providing greater visibility into the syndication system at reduced costs.
Australia’s national public broadcaster, the ABC provides television, radio, online and mobile services throughout the country. Prior to implementing the system, content used for syndication was distributed via satellite. The legacy system was replaced using technology provided by Apera, making it possible for the ABC to expeditiously deliver high quality content to multiple locations from a single point. The implementation includes a combination of the Aspera Enterprise Server, Aspera Point-to-Point, Aspera Console, and the Aspera Software Developer Kit. From Sydney headquarters, the Aspera Enterprise Server allows an unlimited number of simultaneous transfers with no restriction to file size, and automatically pushes assets to the Point-to-Point deskop transfer client deployed in Hobart, Darwin, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra for rebroadcast.
The Aspera API’s were instrumental in creating the system, allowing centralised remote server management through the use of a rich and interactive interface with reporting, job control, queue management, and monitoring. Using the Aspera Web Service API's, the ABC built a platform to allow automated content syndication with ingestion from its Grass Valley video servers and distribution to the remote play out centres as well as the ability to handle urgent job requests, which allows priority jobs to rise to the top of the queue. This included options to programmatically define bandwidth constraints "on-the-fly" to facilitate fine-grained control of the delivery priorities and bandwidth resources used.
“Using Aspera's API's, the ABC was able to create a very interactive and rich user interface to monitor and control syndication workflow”, said Tony Silva, Head of IT at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “In addition to the SDK, the very reliable high-speed transfer software has allowed us to achieve our vision.”
“Aspera's goal is to provide a complete and robust set of API's that are simple to use, while giving our partners the ability to develop to a low level as necessary for each of their specific environments and use cases”, said Mike Flathers, chief technologist at Aspera. “The smart and creative team on the ABC FBS project has developed a very elegant and true enterprise-level integration.”
“The ABC was the first broadcaster in Australia to see the great potential in Aspera’s products to facilitate fast file transfer”, said Matt Wood, Account Manager at Digistor. “They were ahead of the curve and had a great team who were able to successfully roll this out across the country.”
Digistor has implemented a number of Aspera solutions in Australia. To find out more about deploying Aspera's solutions in Australia please contact Digistor.
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