Mediabank uses workflows to optimize back- and front-end services.
The back-end services run 24/7 without humans intervening, keeping the systems services optimized, while workflows activated by the users trigger the front-end services. The workflows are the hearth of Mediabank, securing that every operation runs smoothly. The benefits are many:
- Handles repeatable patterns of activity
- Simplifying delegation of tasks
- Improving efficiency
- Guiding users through advanced operations
- Reducing human errors and workload
- Establishing accountability
- Providing greater visibility
- Reducing processing time
- And much more.
Workflows are in many cases used to handle repeatable patterns, improve efficiency, and reduce costly person-hours. But these workflows operate much more than just processing repeatable tasks with a single outcome. For example, Mediabank uses metadata extensively to build its MAM (Mediabank Asset Management) system and create a media content structure optimized for each account. Most of the workflows are invisible to the users, but not all. Mediabank workflows intervene with users with their daily tasks as well.
We can separate Mediabank workflows into:
- System-centric operations
- Human-centric operations
System-centric workflows
These workflows orchestrate the core services and run without the user intervening.
An example of system-centric workflows could be the need for publishing highlights from a soccer game. A rights manager is committed to distributing every goal immediately to their customers. We would then configure a workflow to react on log records containing "goal" and automatically generate a clip with a predefined length and distribute it. The workflow keeps even track of the file formats the different broadcaster prefers.
Another example is keeping track of logs, formats, proxies, metadata, etc., during live ingest.
User-centric workflows
These workflows are equally important since they directly affect the user's ability to perform advanced tasks previously performed in conjunction with colleagues holding different skill sets.
An example could be the application "Review & Approval," which uses a project-centric workflow. These workflows provide flexibility but require human intervention along the process.
The application "Compliance" uses workflows to ensure that a show/program complies with the Ofcom regulations before the broadcast. Read more here: Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
The above users could manage the process without using the Mediabank workflows since they hold the skillset necessary to fulfill the task. With the use of Mediabank, they can now individually review, comment, reject, or approve independent of their whereabouts. The use of workflow secure that every checkpoint and project member has committed before the approval.
Another example could be the use of M-boxes. In contrast with the users approving the media content, these workflows guide users through advanced operations beyond their skill set. These workflows could be defined as case-centric and optimized to help the user perform the task without help from other resources.
The Mediabank M-boxes perform a typical workflow-oriented task like the below examples:
- Move or copy assets to other storage volume or providers
- Publish material on SOME (social media) destinations
- Distribute media content to partners/customers
- And much more. M-boxes are used for almost everything.
A typical M-box used for publishing can assist the user to perform the following:
- User: Selects the media content destined for publishing
- User: Selects the publishing destination
- M-box retrieves Metadata/Tags
- User: Correct/approve
- M-box: Stitch clips into one asset?
- User: Yes/No
- M-box:
- Automatic login to publishing destination
- Stitch the clips (if required)
- Transcode asset to correct format(s) required by the publishing site
- M-box: Ask if you wish to add additional media content
- User: Yes/No
- M-box: Send?
- User: Yes
- M-box: Starts the processes and checks the status of the individual tasks
- M-box: Notify sender and receiver on workflow status.
- Workflow ended.
The above workflow is done in a minute and performed by one single user. Without Mediabank, a process like this would require a technical person, an editor, and you. It would also require a time-consuming dialog between the individuals.
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