LOS ANGELES—Xytech Systems, a provider of media resource management software, has announced a merger with Fabric, a developer of media supply chain and metadata management solutions. The name of the new company will be announced at a later date and will be led by Fabric CEO, Rob Delf. Xytech’s current CEO, John O’Connor will become Chief Operating Officer.

The two companies are targeting the expanding market for data-based media resource management and supply chain-based media production with Xytech known for its comprehensive media resource management solutions including asset management, localization, formatting, packaging and transmission services and Fabric’s metadata and supply chain management tools.

By integrating their technologies and expertise, the new entity “will deliver innovation and efficiencies to media organizations in producing, managing, and distributing their content,” the company said.

“To me, that is a really big opportunity to move the needle forward and be more technology-focused so the architects of the supply chains are saying Xytech will work for us for the future, while at the same time preserving this very specific functionality that the industry’s relied on for 30 years,” Delf told TV Tech sister brand TVBEurope. “That’s the purpose of the merger.”

The two companies expect the merger to deliver substantial customer value by reducing time spent on media management tasks. The combined solution will feature greater automation and data handling, allowing organizations to quickly access and manage their data and resources with minimal manual intervention. This efficiency translates into faster decision-making and a more agile response to market demands, according to the company.

“Fabric’s award-winning media supply chain and metadata management solutions complement Xytech Systems’ powerful resource management tools perfectly,” said John O’Connor, CEO of Xytech Systems. “Together, we’ll provide our customers with powerful tools that simplify their workflows and accelerate their business processes.”

Private equity firm Banneker Partners, which specializes in investing in resource management and supply chain management tools, acquired Xytech in 2021.

“We are excited about the transformative merger between Xytech and Fabric, a partnership poised to redefine the standards in media resource and data management,” said Kenneth Frank, Partner at Banneker Partners. “By uniting their strengths, we are merging mission-critical technologies with the industry’s leading management team to pave the way for the innovation that Xytech and Fabric customers need for the future. This isn’t just about combining companies; it’s about creating an exceptional, data-driven, and future-focused media and entertainment platform.”

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Xytech Systems will launch a new mobile-native interface for its Media Operations Platform during IBC 2023, Sept. 15-18, at the RAI Amsterdam. The Media Operations Platform is its end-to-end media operations solution for media and broadcasters.

The slimmed-down Mobile Operations version offers the most crucial features of the web platform for use on smartphones and tablets, giving production crews and creatives the power to work remotely while maintaining the ability to manage people, resources and assets in an efficient manner, the company said.

The Mobile Operations version provides users with on-the-go functions and remote access to contacts, schedules and timecards, it said.

“I’m excited that we’re the first company in the Media Operations space to pave the way towards mobile-native workflows,” said Xytech Systems CEO Keith Buckley. “Our next-gen UX will prioritize creatives on the go with an easy-to-use application that enables them to review their schedule, process timecards and perform work order start times. 

“It’s clear that distributed remote productions continue to prevail as the leading workflow requirement for crews and creatives, making our Mobile Operations offering crucial for succeeding in today’s production landscape.”

The new version’s user experience is built on an open-source framework that taps into the latest event-driven JavaScript Runtime environment to split the app into three distinct sections: contacts, that can be search by name or job function and sorts profiles alphabetically; schedule, which makes it possible to create activities among teams with specific timeframe highlights for more efficient planning and better resource management; and timecards, which give users the ability to review and approve work order start times, the company said.

“This is a monumental step forward for users of our Media Operations platform and the broadcast production industry,” said David White, chief product officer at the company. “Being able to decentralize operations with the simple touch of a button regardless of location is something that our customers have continually asked for.”

See Xytech Systems at IBC 2023 Stand 1.C50.

More information is available on the company’s website. 

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Xytech Systems has announced that it will present the ‘new Xytech’—its revitalized vision for a cloud-driven future for media operations with its enhanced Media Operations Platform at the 2023 NAB Show in Las Vegas between April 15 to 19, 2023.

“We’re thrilled to reconnect with customers and partners at NAB Show 2023 to present our new Xytech Media Operations vision and focus on cloud-driven SaaS models that meet today’s media production demands,” Keith Buckley, CEO of Xytech Systems, said. “While the pace of change in media has evolved faster in the last five years than in the past 50, the tools used to create, manage, and transmit media have failed to keep up. Our Media Operations platform stands out as the most deeply integrated and comprehensive end-to-end solution that can help production teams manage their entire media lifecycle in the cloud.”

The recently upgraded version of Xytech’s Media Operations Platform will make its public debut at the NAB Show, showcasing the latest Granite software advances. These new updates ensure that Xytech can deliver the critical media operations resources that customers need to manage and deploy end-to-end video content lifecycles, the company said. 

Xytech also reported that customers looking to take advantage of workflows in the cloud can now make use of all the benefits that SaaS offers, thanks to the 400+ new features and 1000+ operational improvements implemented. 

This implementation was based on a staggering 14,000 hours spent researching and looking for ways to best optimize workflows and boost productivity, to deliver the best tools readily available today, the company reported. 

The latest enhancements and additions to APIs as well as integrations with OpenID, Azure AD, MS Exchange, Google Calendar, and MS SharePoint, also mean that production teams no longer need to switch programs while completing critical tasks. The solution enables them to work in a single platform to trigger workflows across the content lifecycle of production, from scheduling, crewing, asset management, billing, and accounts receivables, saving time while increasing productivity. 

Visitors to the stand will learn about the company’s latest upgrades in the cloud that serve the largest customers operating in the media space today and producers of all sizes across any industry with video operations. 

Meet Xytech Systems in West Hall (#W2949) for more information on the company’s core solutions, its latest cloud-driven innovations, and to get hands-on with demos of Granite. 

Learn more about Xytech’s solutions at https://www.xytechsystems.com/demo-request/

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Xytech has released the Granite version of its new and improved Media Operations Platform for end-to-end media production. The launch makes Xytech’s Media Operations Platform the only platform media teams need to manage all assets, people, resources, and facilities, the company said. The newest update, announced earlier this month and showcased on a webinar Dec. 8, provides 400+ new and improved features with customizable feature sets. 

With over 14,000 hours of product development work dedicated to the latest software update, the Media Operations Platform drives media creation by aligning the workforce and supporting the on-time delivery of content, as well as encouraging future media development, the company said. 

Xytech’s customers can take full advantage of the platform for managing people, equipment, resources, facilities, and logistics with the Granite release.  With enhancements and additions to its APIs and integrations such as OpenID, Azure AD, MS Exchange, Google Calendar, MS SharePoint and many more, media production teams no longer need to switch programs while completing critical tasks, as Xytech enables them to work in a single platform to trigger workflows, saving time, and increasing productivity, according to Xytech.

Long-Term Planning, the newest addition created for Granite allows users to track, report and compare resource capacity and demand, providing companies with greater visibility into their media pipelines, the company said. 

“The key benefit Long-Term Planning brings to the media production lifecycle is that it offers a real financial value to media teams who have dispersed staff and need clear visibility of their resources,” states Xytech’s Chief Product Officer, David White. “The application allows teams to streamline resource planning by generating demand by group, resource, projects, jobs and orders by type. This, in return, simplifies and consolidates views and functionality, making the Media Operations Platform a powerful operational solution that helps media companies to plan, develop and deliver content seamlessly.”

SAN FRANCISCO—As networks broadcast and stream a growing number of channels, the technology that controls everything from ad sales to traffic and billing is evolving as well. New tools and strategies abound for helping content creators handle the growth of those channels. And as the name implies, today’s broadcast management systems have expanded and grown to offer content creators a better means of achieving that control. 

The goals? As varied as the content itself: Reducing operational complexity and costs. Selling advertising at a local and national level and on multiple platforms. Addressing HR issues. Automating order workflows. Identifying and executing audience-targeted orders at scale. 

Open Sourced
As the requests grow, broadcast management systems have responded—some by building  systems around a flexible, open source architecture; others by consolidating assets across a portfolio in an effort to respond more effectively to media buyers.

“The increase in channels has made it even more critical to ensure that organizations have a flexible and adaptable BMS,” said Jimshade Chaudhari, senior vice president of product for Marketron. “Given the increase in channels and the associated content, manual processes and siloed systems can no longer meet broadcaster’s needs. “ 

Earlier this year, two companies joined forces around the concept of standards-based platforms, open source architecture. For the Operative and Imagine Communications, that means ingesting orders from Imagine’s GamePlan ad decision and optimization engine from Operative’s cloud-native sales platform AOS, a partnership that enables a buyer to target audiences across different impressions—including geographic location or device type—as well as process orders across all types of different platforms using Imagine inventory management solutions.

”Our partnership with Operative enables our clients to streamline their operations across multiple media forms and to address the increasing desire to be able to sell on an audience basis,” said Tom Cotney, CEO of Imagine Communications.

Audience First
Those types of partnerships highlight the importance of taking an audience-first approach to selling advertising. Since audiences are more fragmented than ever, there is less guarantee that buying a specific TV show will deliver the specific audience. This is where NextGen TV steps in. The technology can deliver this by relying on consumer-driven demand to keep local TV competitive with growing OTT platforms. 

“And while this will level the playing field by allowing local TV to meet their advertisers’ changing needs… creating a common currency between linear and all digital assets will make it easier for broadcasters to sell their multiplatform ads,” Chaudhari said. “It’s important that modern BMS platforms recognize this and prepare broadcasters for this future.”

Over the past decade, broadcast management technology has steadily grown from standalone traffic and billing systems into integrated tools that manage content throughout its life cycle. That’s been a priority for companies like Myers, whose ProTrack software solution ProTrack centralizes content and allows users to acquire, schedule, monetize and distribute content from a single point of control.

Systems that were traditionally considered core traffic and billing are now expanding their systems with add-ons and built-in third-party technology integrations. ProTrack, which made its name in the traffic and billing space, now integrates with automation, accounts receivable and media asset management. 

Myers provides broadcast management systems to the vast majority of PBS member stations across the country, a unique challenge since public media companies must meet all the same responsibilities as a commercial network but with far fewer resources and revenue opportunities. Today, must-have features for networks like PBS now include automation log monitoring, schedule placement confirmation and report generation.

Unifying Operations
Other systems strive to meet multiple goals while simultaneously prepping to handle multichannel environments. Advanced planning, rights and scheduling, spot placement technology and ad sales and commercial scheduling are part of Imagine’s Ad Tech product suite. Technologies like the company’s LandmarkOSI traffic and billing system, Broadcast Master management suite for scheduling and finance or xG Linear scalable traffic for MVPD are designed to competently manage single or multichannel environments across multiple platforms. 

Unifying station operations on a shared technology infrastructure is another key priority for broadcasters with multiple stations in multiple markets. 

Large ownership groups are using WideOrbit’s WO Traffic system as a foundation to leverage new revenue streams by merging station operations on a single, collectively shared foundation. Like the infrastructure behind other traffic systems, WO Traffic integrates with other suites like analytics, sales, payments and airtimes while WideOrbit Placer works to determine proper spot placement for all advertisers as well as simplifies billing. 

That last piece was particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic. Content creators needed to simplify the process of obtaining receivables, such as when religious broadcaster Bonneville International used the WideOrbit WO Payments Suite to help make decisions about clients who were struggling financially because of the pandemic.

“Because we have all the industry information coming out of our WideOrbit system, [we looked at industries like] the entertainment or tourist industries [and could be] more flexible [about payments] because that’s an industry that [was] hit harder [by the pandemic],” said Ken Nate, CFO and executive vice president for Bonneville. “We think this creates an opportunity for improvement down the road for both us and our clients.”

Streamline Internal Processes
Managing resources was also the impetus behind a UK studio selecting a new media operations platform to manage everything from studio bookings to quote creation. A joint venture of Sky and NBCUniversal, Sky Studios Elstree is using the Xytech Media Operations Platform resource management software to help streamline the film and TV studio’s internal processes like cost management and resource scheduling. 

That was also behind Viasat Broadcasting’s decision to turn to Xytech to manage staff and bookings for the network. With about 400 employees and 64 Viasat channels, the European TV operator needed an integrated system to manage and report on all operational and financial activities. 

“Xytech software offers a multitude of features when it comes to handling the complex requirements of bookings,” said Matt Waldock, Xytech vice president and director of business development for EMEA. “Our Media Operations Platform allows for quick and efficient quote and order creation. As bookings are added or changed, the system updates the display in real time, putting automated financial transparency directly into clients’ hands,” he added.

With the continued expansion of alternate viewing platforms, local broadcast TV is changing the way viewers consume their content — which changes the way in which advertising has to be bought and sold. Broadcasters looking to maximize their current core business must also effectively manage revenue that is now coming from OTT and third-party digital advertising. 

As with other broadcast management systems, the Integration Suite from Marketron is designed to serve as a single ecosystem. Working with business platforms like Salesforce and NetSuite, the system can handle billing export features, digital advertising, social media verification and electronic sales orders. 

The system works side by side with the Marketron REV sales platform, which addresses proposal creation, linear TV order entry and real-time data reporting leading to more revenue on every order via intelligent dynamic pricing and direct traffic integration, Chaudhari said. “All of this technology is built on an open platform that can be integrated into broadcasters existing systems via APIs, helping broadcasters augment their capabilities without having to rip out their core infrastructure,” he said. 

To demonstrate its efforts to accommodate an expanding array of advertisers, Marketron last month added new capabilities to its Marketron NXT digital ad platform that enable all broadcast and media companies to deliver digital ad solutions to advertisers operating in restricted industries, including cannabis, CBD, gambling, alcohol, fireworks and politics, thereby driving revenue from previously limited verticals.

As the market changes, so too must modern broadcast management systems — from aggregating data to holistic business-level reporting to ensuring the right programming appears on the right channel. 

“This level of flexibility prepares broadcasters for continued success as advertiser and consumer demands evolve,” Chaudhari said. 

CHATSWORTH, Calif.—Xytech has announced new leadership positions within the company.

David White has been appointed Chief Product Officer. White brings more than 25 years of experience leading product teams in enterprise software, delivering innovative deployment of automation to help creative professionals collaborate better, work faster and deliver high-quality results.

Michael Boch has been appointed Xytech’s Chief Financial Officer. Boch, who has 30-plus years of experience in finance, started his career at public accounting firm KPMG and later transitioned into the private sector. For the last 20 years, Boch has worked primarily for high-growth software technology companies.

Shyna Zhang has been named Chief Marketing Officer. Zhang has a background in helping grow businesses across segments, geographies and industries. She previously has built marketing teams at companies like Marketo and Microsoft.

Melinda Chudleigh has been hired as Xytech’s SVP of People. With nearly 20 years of experience in HR, Chudleigh has a strong human resources background with broad global experience.

The new appointments were announced by Xytech’s new CEO Keith Buckley.

LOS ANGELES—Private equity firm Banneker Partners Dec. 30, 2021, acquired industry facility management software firm Xytech, the software company announced today. Terms of the acquisition were not available.

“We see this as a strategic investment to accelerate Xytech’s ability to enhance their solution offering and operational delivery capabilities in this key market segment,” said Kenneth Frank, partner at Banneker Partners. “We look forward to working alongside Richard [Gallagher, Xytech CEO] and the rest of the management team to strengthen the company’s customer penetration and market reach.”

Xytech worked to “bring facility management into the next generation” to help media companies become more efficient and productive, said Gallagher. “For more than three decades, this has been Xytech’s focus, and we are proud of what we have accomplished.”

“Banneker, with its investment focus on software solutions aimed at specific verticals and willingness to invest to scale operational delivery, product innovation and sales and marketing, is the perfect partner for Xytech’s next stage of growth,” he said.

Banneker Partners is an enterprise-software-focused private equity firm based in San Francisco.

More information is available on the company’s website.

LONDON—SES has implemented a new resource management platform using Xytech solutions, Xytech said today.

The platform consolidates two systems SES previously used into a single, comprehensive solution to maximize efficiency and simplify the booking process for SES sports and event customers, it said.

The new solution offers workflow control, schedule-once efficiency, intelligent conflict management, support for long-term and recurring bookings and fast, effective resource management, it said.

“Thanks to the support we received from Xytech’s team, the transition of merging both platforms was smooth with no impact to our operations,” said Ed Cox, vice president of sales for North America and Sports & Events at SES. “Through a great deal of dialogue, complete definition of our requirements and out-of-the-box thinking from both sides, we achieved a unified platform that ultimately simplifies capacity booking process for our customers.”

More information is available on the company’s website. 

STAMFORD, Conn.—NBC Olympics will be using Xytech’s ScheduALL's enterprise resource and transmission optimization solution for NBC's production of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, which take place in Tokyo from July 23 to August 8. 

This marks the ninth consecutive Olympic Games where NBC Olympics has turned to Xytech’s ScheduALL. The deployment will allow NBC Olympics to leverage the expertise of Xytech’s software and services to orchestrate the logistics of people, equipment, locations and transmission feeds.

“For the ninth consecutive Olympic Games, Xytech has the privilege of contributing to the success of NBC Olympics’ production,” said Greg Dolan, Xytech CCO. “We understand that flawless execution of the transmission feed is incredibly important to the success of NBC Olympics’ presentation from Tokyo. As a result, many people at Xytech dedicate large amounts of time ahead of the broadcast preparing for a perfect execution. During the Olympic Games, we are proud to have a Senior Implementation Manager working alongside NBC Olympics throughout the entirety of the Games.”

“The challenges and complexity in scheduling and managing all of NBC Olympics’ incoming and outgoing transmissions, and technical facilities, as well as Tokyo- and Stamford-based recordings is an incredibly complex and dynamic challenge,” said Dan Robertson, vice president of NBC Olympics IT. “We are glad to have Xytech’s software, its stability, and their support again during these Games.”

 LOS ANGELES—Xytech this week announced it is now DEKRA Certified, bringing a higher level of security to its products, including its MediaPulse resource management system and MediaPulse Managed Cloud.

The certification ensures Xytech customers that their data is always secure, the company said.

According to DEKRA, its ISO 27001:2013 Certification attests that Xytech manages the security of the information assets it holds. It assures the Xytech Information Security Management System (ISMS) has been deployed in a way ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all corporate data is maintained.

“We are very proud to have achieved DEKRA Certification,” said Xytech CFO Susie Nemeti. “Security is always of the upmost importance at Xytech as we deploy the most secure system available to our clients. We are excited to take this one step further with DEKRA.”

Based in Germany, DEKRA provides safety and quality management services.

More information is available on the company’s website.

LOS ANGELES—Stefan Nied has been appointed by Xytech as the vice president and managing director for the ScheduALL brand, effective immediately. Xytech recently acquired ScheduALL from Net Insight.

Nied previously worked at ScheduALL for 23 years, serving as vice president of Services and Customer Success until 2015, when Net Insight acquired the brand, and then as senior director of Global Strategic Accounts.

In his new role as vice president and managing director, Nied will oversee ScheduALL customer success and support teams throughout the ScheduALL-to-Xytech transition.

“I’m very excited to join Xytech,” said Nied. “After spending most of my professional career with ScheduALL, I know the product inside and out, and I’m very familiar with the needs of our valuable clients. I look forward to continuing to provide them with the world-class service they deserve.”

Nied will be based at ScheduALL’s office in Hollywood, Fla. He will report to Greg Dolan.

For more information, visit www.xytechsystems.com.  

STOCKHOLM—The i’s have been dotted and the t’s have been crossed on Net Insight and Xytech’s deal that shifts ScheduALL to Xytech.

The deal has Net Insight divesting its Resource Organization business unit, operating under the name ScheduALL, to Xytech for $6 million. Ownership of all shares in ScheduALL subsidiaries are transferred to Xytech. The deal was first announced in February. 

With the sale of ScheduALL, as well as its sale of the Sye streaming business to Amazon in 2020, Net Insight says that it has accomplished its goal of becoming a “more focused media networks provider” with a strategy for growth across cloud, IP and remote production applications.

LOS ANGELES—Facility management software provider Xytech has purchased ScheduALL, a subsidiary of Net Insight that focuses on resource optimization. Xytech is paying $6 million for ScheduALL, with the deal expected to close in the coming weeks.

ScheduALL provides software-based resource optimization solutions to media companies. It has been part of the Net Insight group since 2015. Xytech will continue to support the ScheduALL application and all ScheduALL clients, with plans to use ScheduALL as part of its end-to-end management system with scalability and configurability in a cloud-enabled platform.

“By combining two of the strongest companies in the resource optimization industry, we massively improve scale and will be able to offer even better solutions to both existing and new customers,” said Richard Gallagher, Xytech CEO. “ScheduALL is very well respected by some of the world’s leading media houses and I look forward to working with their strong team to continue to support their existing customer base. I also see great value in the constructive future partnership with Net Insight.”

Net Insight said that it is divesting ScheduALL as part of its strategy to focus on its core Media Networks business, which deals with cloud, IP and remote production applications.

“ScheduALL has been a valuable part of the Net Insight portfolio and I would like to thank all ScheduALL employees for their contribution over the years,” said Crister Fritzson, CEO of Net Insight. “We believe Xytech is the best future owner of the business and look forward to partnering with them to continue to serve shared customers across the media industry.”

LONDON—Xytech has unveiled a new graphical user interface for Media Orchestrator, part of its MediaPulse resource management system.

The new GUI merges asset management, operations and resource management, which allows media service companies to monitor the people, facilities or equipment needed to complete a given task.

“All too often, companies are adversely affected by a lack of efficiency in their workflows, and this can have a direct impact on profit margins,” said Greg Dolan, Xytech CCO. “The media software industry demands intelligent solutions with the ability to dynamically adapt to customers’ constantly evolving needs.”

The new interface is designed to remove complication from the workflow by enabling users to do things like move an entire block of functionality rather than choosing from a menu item. Users can grab a visual block, plot out appropriate steps and link it graphically through Visio, the company said. 

With the new GUI, users also can define, configure and monitor any media service workflow while adjudicating any discrepancies. Users can monitor and resolve problems in the workflows of other systems, and if a fault is found, notify the appropriate user to resolve the issue, the company said.

“Having a robust resource management system featuring regular updates is key for companies looking to streamline and bolster operations,” Dolan explained. “Gone are the days when software providers could offer one update every few years. As such, Xytech has included countless advancements to the MediaPulse platform in the last year alone, and we are excited to continue this trend with the new graphical UI.”

More information is available on the company’s website.

LOS ANGELES—Facility software management provider Xytech has announced it is supplementing its plans from the cancelled NAB Show 2020 with a “Virtual NAB Web Series” that will take place from May 19-20.

The web series will feature webinars that focus on sectors of Xytech’s MediaPulse platform. Xytech COO Greg Dolan and other Xytech subject matter experts will host the webinars.

Three webinars are scheduled:

• MediaPulse Overview, May 19, 2 p.m. ET, provides an introduction to MediaPulse 
• Media Services, May 20, 1 p.m. ET, describes how users manage things like media creation and high volume digital fulfillment with MediaPulse
• Video Transmission, May 20, 5 p.m. ET, demonstrates how Xytech’s transmission system delivers complete video circuit management, automated resource selections and automation with operational dashboards 

“While we weren’t able to gather in Las Vegas for NAB this year, Xytech still needs to take the time to educate the broadcast, media and transmission companies on how to best streamline their operations for when business resumes to come back stronger and more nimble,” Doland said. “All three webinars are intended to inform and educate professionals on how to optimize their operations with MediaPulse.”

Registration for the webinars is available on Xytech’s website. 

LONDON—Xytech has appointed Matt Waldock as its new vice president and director of business development for the EMEA region. Waldock had previously worked with Xytech in the mid-2000s.

In his role as VP and director of business development, Waldock will be the key point-person and look to further develop Xytech’s relationship with existing clients in the EMEA region, as well as establish new ones.

“Matt’s extensive background in the media and broadcast industry helps immensely as we continue to quickly grow in the region,” said Xytech’s Greg Dolan. “The European market is our fastest growing market geography, and Matt’s experience will make sure Xytech continues to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate our clients’ needs.”

Waldock, who will work out of Xytech’s London office, has more than 25 years of experience in the UK broadcast industry. He has previously held positions with ITV and Deluxe Media Europe.

AMSTERDAM—Facility management software developer Xytech is set to demonstrate a number of updates to its MediaPulse product line at its stand during IBC 2019, which takes place from Sept. 13-17 in Amsterdam.

Front and center as part of the MediaPulse update is a completely redesigned user interface. Xytech designed the new user interface to be intuitive and operational on any device, including an integrated mobile experience for low-touch users on phones. Users can access the new interface either on premises or in the cloud.

The new user interface is now available with the latest version of MediaPulse.

Xytech also updated its Personnel Manager to add real-time counters in the scheduling view so it can track entitlements, work time, available time, overtime or any other classification managed by MediaPulse. The Personnel Manager’s rules engine has also been updated to track all user-defined conditions, alert staff when thresholds are exceeded, compute costs and prepare timesheets.

Additional upgrades have been made to the Transmission Module, including new functionality to manage technical compatibility and service compatibility. Users can automatically create a technically correct circuit while simultaneously ensuring selected devices perform the service required.

Xytech will feature these updates at its stand, 6.C22, during IBC 2019.

LAS VEGAS–Xytech, a provider of facility management software for the broadcast, media services and video transmission industries is partnering with video cloud provider Blackbird to offer a frame accurate codec player in v9 of Xytech’s MediaPulse facility management software system. The companies say the partnership will help streamline the asset management process for users of MediaPulse v9 and provide users with a real-time, accurate browser-based viewer featuring complete access security for all files. Xytech will showcase MediaPulse v9 at the 2019 NAB Show, April 8-11.

The cloud-based Blackbird player will provide MediaPulse users with an efficient, cost-saving viewer through a streaming proxy codec, according to Xytech. By using the integrated player during their workflow, post-production professionals can now frame-accurately play, jog and shuttle backwards and forwards through their video content at multiple speeds, all in the cloud on bandwidth as low as 2 MB per second. Since the content is streamed, deleting the source file instantly renders all stream void for an added a layer of security.

“This strategic partnership with Blackbird brings real-time viewing features to MediaPulse users supporting Asset Management and Promo Workflows,” said Greg Dolan of Xytech. “Post-production professionals will be able to securely and accurately access and view video content using Blackbird and do it all on a nominal connection right from MediaPulse. Blackbird shares our vision of intuitive user experiences. This partnership is a great fit.”

Xytech will be in booth SL4705. Blackbird will be exhibiting on Microsoft’s stand, SL6716. 

LAS VEGAS—As the 2019 edition of the NAB Show will soon get underway, Xytech has prepared the 2019 and latest version of its MediaPulse facility management software system to demonstrate to attendees. The new MediaPulse Sky UI offers an entirely new, responsive design for the user interface, with new features like limitless scrolling.

Users are able to personalize their MediaPulse experience with the new version, providing the specific functions they need. In addition OpenID is now supported through Sky, and the entire platform has moved to a 64-bit architecture. Automated IMF distribution functionality, European Working Time Directive support, transmission module updates are also among the new features available.

Xytech is expected to release the updated MediaPulse in June.

Show attendees will be able to view these updates at the Xytech booth, SL4705. To register for the NAB Show, visit www.nabshow.com.

BOSTON—WGBH Television and Radio of Boston has installed Xytech’s MediaPulse Sky for facilities and asset management.

According to Erik Nordin, WGBH’s technical project manager, the PBS station decided it was time to take the next step in streamlining their facilities management capabilities, and chose to implement Xytech’s Media Pulse. As long-time Xytech Enterprise clients, they were particularly drawn to the software’s web-based Media Pulse Sky user interface, which offers a focus on mobile, with zero-touch deployment and no client installation, among other features.

WGBH also chose to deploy MediaPulse in its Creative department, an area requiring some of the same scheduling and billing needs, and worked with Xytech’s Director of Product Integration and Workflow Automation, Tanmay Goel, to customize the solution to their unique needs.

[Read: Xytech Powers Scheduling Logistics For NBC Olympics]

Using the MediaPulse Development Platform, Goel created a custom-configured front-end that allowed WGBH’s Creative users to raise requests that are automatically converted to MediaPulse Work Orders so the staff could schedule quickly and easily. The scheduled events are then seamlessly processed into invoices, significantly reducing the latency period.

“You can contemplate about your work, you can schedule it, you can create the items and deliver the invoices all at the user level,” Nordin said. “This enables us to move more quickly and efficiently as a business. We are also excited about completing development on the API and even more, including further linking it with our financial systems.” WGBH will use the MediaPulse Development Platform to take invoices and other financial transactions and post them into their station’s general ledger system.

At the 2018 NAB show, Xytech will be in booth SL4305 demonstrating its latest facilities management products, including its DASH subscription service, which is based on the Azure cloud platform. 

LAS VEGAS—Xytech will use the 2018 NAB Show to launch Dash, a new cloud-based software solution that gives small- to mid-sized media and post facilities robust workflow management capabilities. Available on an affordable monthly subscription basis, Dash is based on the Microsoft Azure Managed Cloud platform.

Using the new web interface, Dash gives customers access to innovative dashboards, graphs and charts. From the dashboard, they can manage resources, handle scheduling tasks, forecast costs, generate invoices and other operational tasks.

There’s also an optional, built-in library management program and project bidding capability. Xytech also provides installation and training support to get clients up and running quickly.

The 2018 NAB Show takes place in Las Vegas, April 9-12. Xytech will be in booth SL4305. For more information, visit www.nabshow.com.

Read up on all of TVT's NAB Show Sneak Peeks and other 2018 NAB Show news here.

INDIANAPOLIS—IMS Productions covers a wide range of productions with its fleet of 15 trucks, including the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers, IndyCar races and more. In an effort to boost their operational control, IMS Productions has announced is going all in with Xytech’s MediaPulse facility management software.

IMS Productions has actually been using the MediaPulse system for two years to schedule engineers and drivers for productions nationwide. The company has chosen to expand its MediaPulse use to further manage its mobile television facility.

Using MediaPulse’s Division Module, IMS Productions can securely manage information access. With the new module, IMS can determine what specific groups can access.

AMSTERDAM—Management software developer Xytech is the newest member of the Advanced Media Workflow Association. AMWA is billed as a community-driven forum that works on advancing business-driven solutions for networked media workflows. Xytech said in its announcement that it joined AMWA to keep its systems interoperable with all media workflows.

One of AMWA’s developments is the Networked Media Open Specifications. Xytech uses these specifications to monitor and manage devices within each media company’s network. The specifications enable vendors’ equipment and software to advertise themselves on the network the same way.

As part of AMWA, Xytech customers will be able to manage and monitor node interactions to introduce real-time accuracy to invoicing and billing with real-time dashboard reporting.

“With the work of the AMWA and the NMOS incubator project, Xytech understands the future is IP-based solutions as they offer broadcasters the flexibility to explore new business models, maintain top-of-the-line networks and add new capabilities without proprietary lock-ins or having to rebuild networks,” said Daniel Lynch, Xytech vice president of broadcast services.

With the addition of Xytech, AMWA reports that 11 media companies and 60 vendors are currently participating in its workstreams.

AMSTERDAM—With IBC 2017 officially underway, Xytech is offering attendees a look at its new MediaPulse Transmission and Digital Order Automation features.

The MediaPulse Transmission system helps provide mobility, transmission, cloud and internationalism capabilities. It features enterprise-class operations and financial management tools designed to streamline transmission and automation functionality across multiple broadcast platforms. With the new release, users can reserve, provision and monitor specific feeds, while also simplifying the process of booking routes. Additional features include a notification engine, personalized feed dashboards and a Big Board list of feeds. The system is available as both an on-premise and cloud installation.

Xytech will also have the MediaPulse Reporting system, a new automation module that can capture an order and drive required tasks. This new Digital Order Automation module streamlines workflow processes and can integrate with third-party applications through an open adapter technology.

Both MediaPulse modules are now available and will be featured at Xytech’s booth, 6.C22, throughout IBC 2017.

LOS ANGELES—WRAL-TV will be using Xytech’s MediaPulse platform to get its ducks in a row from now on. The MediaPulse system will be utilized to manage the station’s production and news activities, including scheduling of stations personnel, equipment and trucks, as well as the scheduling of the master control for the station.

MediaPulse enables users to track resources and costs in real time. Its MediaPulse Sky feature enables browser interface at any time, and the MediaPulse iOS app facilitates time entry and schedule access via mobile devices.

According to Pete Sockett, WRAL director of engineering and operations: “WRAL Raleigh, alongside two sister stations in the Capitol Broadcasting family, is now capable of racking daily assignments of newsroom personnel, trucks and equipment for story coverage with MediaPulse. We are planning on better management and tracking of resources with reduced resource conflicts, improved maintenance scheduling, enhanced staff communications and, in the end, an overall ability to better analyze how the station can operate most efficiently, productively and profitably.”

LOS ANGELES—Facility management platform MediaPulse creator Xytech has announced the launch of its new Broadcast Services Division for global video transmission. The company has tapped Daniel Lynch, who has been with it since 2011, to head the division in the position of vice president of Broadcast Services.

Daniel Lynch

The Broadcast Services Division will build upon Xytech’s holistic transmission and asset management systems and provide technically advanced platforms for delivering software to operations with increasing content demands.

“Our engineering team is working on incorporating recent developments such as Network Function Virtualization to give our users access to all services in an elegant UX,” said Lynch on what the new division will provide in Xytech’s official statement.