LaserNet can supply connectivity directly to the client at speeds from 8mbps to 10Gbps. This will enable the clients to receive services across the link to other users, companies broadcasters and facilities in the LaserNet cloud, as well as to the Internet.

Services available from LaserNet’s Data Cloud include:

• Internet
• Digital Delivery
• FTP Servers
• Signiant Delivery Management
• Archiving
• Streaming
• Content Management
• Live Broadcast Distribution
• Managed Video Conferencing services
• Content hosting and dissemination and billing.

Our FTP software lets you intelligently and securely move your important files across multiple locations and between various contacts over the Internet. Lasernet's FTP service is the right choice when you want the ultimate in power, performance and security. Options available include:

• OpenPGP encryption
• SSL and SSH Security
• Scheduled transfers
• Scripting and macros
• Accelerated transfers

For archiving solutions LaserNet’s has DataVault  a Digital Asset Management System. LaserNet are specialists in moving digital data across networks as well as storage, retrieval and distribution of all forms of digital content. LaserNet has been at the forefront of digital media technology and is connected and working with all the South African broadcaster as well as all the major media and facilities companies for managing and archiving digital media.


•         LaserNet’s DataVault Digital Asset Management System (DV-DAM) provides:

1. A state-of-the-art digital media asset management system that brings a world-class service to all users.
2. Streamlined production workflows that reduce time to market for user’s content.
3. High level of Integration of LaserNet’s DAM with new and existing user systems.
4. Import of user’s existing metadata into LaserNet’s DAM.
5. Compatibility with industry standards and is future-proofed.
6. Robustness and continuity of service, though a robust support agreement and an associated Service Level Agreement.

•         LaserNet’s has developed content workflow, digital asset management and distribution capabilities that will help clients and their users meet the challenges they face organising, controlling, and securing media assets. LaserNet recognises clients and its users have already made significant investments in technology, processes and people, and LaserNet would seek to leverage those investments as effectively as possible. By combining our skills and knowledge of DV-DAM systems deployment, we can assist in opening new opportunities for competitive advantage through better and more efficient use of resources and assets.

•         The Media Management platform deployed by LaserNet brings together the best-of-breed technologies to achieve the following:

1. Collaborative Workflow. Manage business processes that encompass suppliers and clients, allowing greater workflow efficiency and monitoring of SLAs.
2. Resource Management. Automated control of content processes and agile, in-flight management of prioritisation and production.
3. Powerful Search and Browse. Improve visibility and accessibility of assets across the supply chain, enabling repurposing of content for new channels and markets.
4. Bulk Ingest and Metadata Entry. LaserNet can provide bulk facilities for the digitisation and ingest of content and metadata, enabling efficient and cost-effective Archive Digitisation.

•         One of the key elements of the LaserNet’s DV-DAM solution is the flexible workflow and user interface. LaserNet would work closely with clients to ensure that the appropriate tool sets are assembled to deliver intuitive, practical and results driven outcomes for its users.


LASERNET DV-DAM TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE

The description below describes a logical architecture of the primary components that will make up the LaserNet’s DV-DAM technical architecture. This is an indicative description of the architecture to guide understanding of what underpins the LaserNet’s DV-DAM.

LaserNet DV-DAM Architectural Overview

The LaserNet’s DAM platform is set of media management and processing components built on a standards based Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) to simplify integration and customisation.

The platform brings together a diverse range of best in class applications under a generic service wrap that removes the complexity from the end user. The system was originally conceived using Software as a Service principles and is often deployed as a managed service and has the ability to distribute local content processing nodes at the client, to ensure content can be processed and distributed as efficiently as possible. Alternatively LaserNet’s DV-DAM can be deployed entirely on the customer’s site or as a hybrid solution where LaserNet provides some services as required by the customer.

LaserNet recognises the need for customers to retain the investment in existing infrastructure and is able to offer a range of flexible deployment solutions to meet most customer’s needs.

The system has no data lock-in and as such content can be accessed, published and removed as required by the client, utilising standard formats and tools.

Key innovations offered by LaserNet DV-DAM include a completely web based, frame accurate, cuts only video editor that can be used to keep simple edits out of an Avid or FCP suite, keeping them free for more complex and higher value use. And a powerful metadata editor which allows frame accurate time referenced metadata to be captured searched and edited.

LaserNet DV-DAM has been designed to be, in general, format agnostic. This means that the customer is not limited to a specific format but instead can use one or more of a number of supported formats. All essence formats used in LaserNet DV-DAM (video, audio, graphics, etc.) is based on widely accepted standards.

Primary video source formats include MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, in SD, HD, 2K and 4K resolutions and AES3 audio streams. Intermediate formats include MPEG-2, ASF, QT, MPEG-4, and WAV. Publish formats are those supported by the various transcode or conform devices. We will be including support for Dolby E (input and output) as well as Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD and PCM (output) in future development releases.

Order management, processing and resource management work together to prioritise user workflows based on configurable business rules. The workflow engine is architected such that it is straightforward to build complex workflows. The LaserNet’s DV- DAM application set uses Java based ESB as an integration strategy as it is based on open web service standards.

•         At a technical level, the LaserNet DV-DAM platform consists of the following components:

1. A browser based user interface allowing sophisticated management of content, rough-cut editing, workflows and personal workspaces.
2. A built in security model that enables fine grained restriction of access to content, and the definition of what operations a user can perform on that content.
3. A layered service architecture abstracting the underlying digital media asset management, content processing functions (e.g. transcode, conform, QC, publish, etc.), order and workflow management in a consistent manner. The architecture is such that the application components can be hosted by the client and LaserNet, but storage and content processing functions can be hosted physically where it is most appropriate i.e. close to where the content is required on site at the client.
4. A metadata editor allowing rapid capture of compliance, legal and descriptive metadata based on programme time code.

Content can be streamed directly from LaserStream’s servers located around South Africa and internationally. This can be streamed as Video On Demand from the archive or directly from the customers premises via LaserStream’s portable encoders. LaserStream can also stream live content directly from the live event as a point to point broadcast stream or point to multipoint over the Internet.

Digital content can be delivered via Media Host digital delivery system. Media Host is connected to SABC, MNet, eTV and CNBC locally and can delivery to most broadcasters internationally as well as content providers. Media Hosts intuitive interface will keep the customer informed of the progress of the content delivered as well as notification of delivery of the content via email and sms. All content delivered can be archived in Media Vault once the transfer has been completed.