Achieving a Quantum Leap in Operational Performance
Through Software-Defined Workflows
Case Study
Tony Taylor – CEO TMD
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Astro – Media Asset Management Project
• Background to the project
• Project Challenges
• How Software Defined Workflows provide efficiencies
• How the solution provides operational metrics
• Future phases
• Q&A
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Project Background - Astro
• Southeast Asia’s leading
integrated media group
• Operations in Pay TV, radio,
content production and digital
• 67% penetration of TV homes in
Malaysia
• 183 channels including 54 HD
• Distributed via DTH on the
Measat Satellite Network
• IPTV, OTT, VOD and Web
• Multi-site operations – Bukit Jalil
& Cyberjaya
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Project Background - Challenges
• Significant growth in channel portfolio
• Additions of HD channels to SD bouquets
• Increased demand for online consumption (VOD, OTT etc.)
• Existing technology platforms coming to end of life
• Need to eliminate manual labour intensive processes
• Inflexible processes
• Inconsistencies of metadata across existing systems
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Project Background - Solution
• 2013 Astro management embarked on plan to upgrade, consolidate
and streamline the technology platform
• Eliminate tape based workflows to support further significant growth
• All content output prepared for delivery from a single solution
• Simple and intuitive Business Process Management for in house user
creation and modification
• Comprehensive operational metrics capture for business reporting
• Consistent metadata across the content chain
• Create a business centric media asset management platform for
growth
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Project Background - Choice
• TMD Mediaflex selected after a tender process
• Combines Media Asset Management with Content Intelligent
automated workflows
• Comprehensive integration capabilities
• Puts Astro in control of workflow design, creation and modification
• Puts Astro in control of business reporting
• Provide Astro with end to end lifecycle control of all media assets
• Creates a business centric platform for growth
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Project Challenges
• The biggest challenge was not the technology.
• Change and people management.
• Metadata inconsistencies across multiple existing systems
• Understanding existing workflows and why they exist
• Getting actual requirements down on paper
• The statement “because that’s how we’ve always done it”
• Challenging the processes
• Implementing Software Defined Workflows based on metadata,
integrations and business processes
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Software Defined Workflows
• What do we mean by Software Defined Workflows?
• First and foremost Astro non-technical personnel can create, modify and
manage every workflow process through software
• Graphical UI with simple drag and drop process blocks linked on a software
pane
• Process blocks configured with drop down lists defined through software
configuration
• Decision tasks configured with Content Intelligence to utilise the inherent
metadata in the content files and/or database(s)
• Software integrations configured for all devices including cloud based
services such as Amazon S3, SNS, SQS, Encoding.com and Akamai
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Graphical UI
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Process blocks (Tasks)
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Decision tasks with Content Intelligence
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Integrations in tasks
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Process blocks (Tasks)
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Operational Metrics
• Today’s management require comprehensive and accurate metrics to
manage the business
• VOD and OTT becoming more prevalent with reduced monetisation
• Astro are able to create their own business reports on every aspect
of the operation
• Audit trail from the Software Defined Workflows enables tracking of
media, workflow tasks and resources
• Automated processes tracked and reported on for capacity planning
• Reports created with standard products such as Tableau, Crystal
Reports etc.
• Dynamic reporting with graphical tools
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© Transmedia Dynamics Ltd. 2003-2015
www.tmd.tv
Strictly Confidential
© Transmedia Dynamics Ltd. 2003-2015
www.tmd.tv
Summary
• Every project has its challenges
• Technology is the “easier” part of the project today
• Ensure you get people buy in at every stage
• Metadata consistency is critical to a successful operation
• Workflow orchestration should be created by the customer not the
vendor
• Ability to quickly change processes as the business changes.
• Ability to measure and manage the operation
• Don’t be afraid to change processes to meet new systems and
requirements
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Thank You
Q&A
APAC
TransMedia Dynamics Ltd.
PO Box 3872,
Weston Creek, ACT 2611
Australia.
+61 (0)451 997434
Carlton Smith – Chief Product Officer
[email protected]
The Americas
TransMedia Dynamics Inc,
7719 Wood Hollow Dr,
Suite 240,
Austin, Texas. 78731
+1 (512) 600-3133
Jo Sims – General Manager
[email protected]
HQ and EMEA
TransMedia Dynamics Ltd.
Tower House, High Street
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire. HP20 1SQ
+44 (0)1296 745080
Paul Wilkins – Director of Solutions
[email protected]
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© Transmedia Dynamics Ltd. 2003-2015
www.tmd.tv