Globalization is not new to the media and entertainment industry. With offices in many countries, major studios have maintained a physical presence throughout the world over the years. New technologies open the door to global collaboration for organizations of all sizes, despite growing constraints on financial and technical resources.
Today, media and entertainment companies leverage technology for both content creation and sourcing the best talent.
Global human capital
More than ever, companies have access to a global talent pool. Media and entertainment companies are essentially made up of creative talent. Widespread availability of reliable Internet connections, combined with the use of a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deployed in the cloud or data center allow creative people to collaborate and work from anywhere in the world.
Media companies can therefore find the best talent from anywhere on the planet among more than 4.3 billion connected users.
Convergence to all-digital
Innovations in the media and entertainment industry are entirely in the area of digital content. Distribution channels for digital content include: streaming services, on-demand content via set-top boxes or smart TVs, steaming video games, and on-the-go smartphone apps.
As the cost of technology continues to decrease, hardware and software are available to anyone. Startups and small studios can now create top-quality content and compete with well-established major studios.
The growth of the extended reality
Extended reality (XR) refers to both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The next big development will be immersive content. Some VR video games have already been released and this trend is expected to continue in gaming.
Source: Intel – Making of Pale Blue Dot
So far, VR is mostly for gaming, but expect to see movies and other streaming titles to be released in VR format in the near future.
New technologies mean more pressure on IT
The arrival of new technologies also means more pressure on IT managers and their budgets. Here are four challenges:
1. High-performance hardware requirements
In order to run the latest digital editing, modeling and audio editing software, computing hardware must meet demanding performance requirements.
It’s essential for media and entertainment companies to select the best hardware, such as high-performance workstations and powerful GPU-based servers. As software becomes more sophisticated, workstations and servers must always be up-to-date in order for it to function effectively.
To address the need to have the latest and best performing equipment, many companies in the industry prefer project-based leasing for their computer hardware.
2. Data storage
Files of all types — VFX, audio, video, VR, animation, renderings — need to be available as part of workflows and they continue to grow exponentially in size. Terabytes of data that must be transferred and stored properly, either on dense local storage arrays, in a data center, or in enterprise-class cloud-based repositories.
Not only must the stored data be highly available and quickly, and securely retrievable, but storage costs also need to be considered as they are proportional to the volume of the stored data.
3. Local and Remote Networks
Connectivity must be fast and latency must be low in order to enable efficient workflows. However, it is no longer just the local area network (LAN) performance that needs to be examined. IT managers also need to consider remote worker connectivity to the cloud and their data center.
4. Increase security
Security will always be a priority for studios. Studios must ensure that their customers’ content is securely stored at all times.
Since digital content can reside in multiple locations, locally, in the cloud, and in data centers, IT managers need to carefully examine workflows to ensure content is stored in accordance with Trusted Partner Network (TPN), Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and Content Delivery & Security Association (CDSA) guidelines.
In addition to overall network security, user-level access must not be ignored. Not all employees need to access everything. User access rights should be regularly audited and promptly updated.
Conclusion
Technology plays a key role in the field of media and entertainment both in terms of human resources and content production. The growth of digital media is not showing any signs of slowing down, suggesting that technologies will continue to be at the heart of the industry for decades to come.
From the initial purchase of IT hardware to its responsible disposal, Hypertec end-to-end solutions for the media and entertainment industry. Contact one of our specialists to review your technology needs and find the right solution.
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