ADM virtualises business continuity playout
Published: MEA
UAE: A business continuity playout site has been set up for Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) by Imagine Communications. A disaster recovery solution that provides full premium channel functionality and runs using du’s Media Cloud platform, the business continuity service was subjected to an extended proof of concept phase. The result is reportedly a cloud-native and secure facility that matches the functionality of ADM’s existing premises-based operations.
The workflow is distributed throughout two facilities. Imagine’s Broadcast Master traffic system distributes schedules and updates to the existing ADC automation platform in Abu Dhabi and to the Versio playout software at du’s datacentre in Dubai. Following the rollout, ADM and Imagine Communications have entered into a service level agreement that will see the latter upgrade the former’s existing facility to the new virtualised platform, which will run on HPE severs.
‘Working with Imagine Communications we have created a cloud-native business continuity site which precisely mirrors the functionality of our traditional playout, and we have transmitted from it,’ said Peter Van-Dam, technical advisor, live media production services at ADM. ‘We have seen that a software-defined architecture provides not only the functionality but the performance that premium broadcast channels demand. What we have implemented on du’s media cloud we will implement on-premises as our next-generation playout facility.’
‘Our strategy is to move towards an all-IP infrastructure,’ explained Hamad Abdelrazaq, director of technology, live media production services at ADM. ‘This proof of concept with full IP playout channels running on a datacentre miles away is an important step for the broadcast industry in the region. This proof-of-concept installation is now part of our long-term vision.’