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Welcome to the EBU-AMWA FIMS (Framework for Interoperable Media Service) Task Force Wiki
This is not the AMWA wiki, which discusses AMWA-only efforts. This wiki is for the AMWA-EBU joint task force.
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Why did EBU and AMWA initiate this joint task force?
While the market is moving away from traditional videocentric technologies in favour of IT based ones, the design and management of enterprise level production systems is still a challenge for most broadcasters. A main obstacle has been identified in the lack of standard interfaces between components and systems that forces system integrators to devote consistent resources in the development of custom adapters to integrate components from different vendors. This in turn generates scalability and maintenance problems as the substitution or upgrade of one component can require further adaptation expenses.
The EBU, through the P/NP group, is evaluating the use of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), a system design pattern that is ,believed to offer the potential for greatly improved interoperability over the current system design practices based on proprietary interfaces.
AMWA has set up a Media Services Architecture Group (MSAG) with a similar mandate.
Therefore, as both EBU and AMWA have similar activities and intents, the two organizations have agreed to engage in joint efforts in order to gather a broader consensus between users and manufacturers and to join knowledge and resources to better fulfil the assignments.
What are the expected benefits?
The introduction of IT based production models is considered a strategic move to fulfil the market demand for new integrated content distribution services. Interoperability of systems and components is deeply needed to guarantee the required flexibility in the design, configuration and upgrade of the production infrastructure and to keep its associated TCO as low as possible.
The joint Task Force is made up of both manufacturers and users. Manufacturer members are interested in reducing their costs and risks associated with integration. User members are interested in faster time of integration, with lower cost and risk. The adoption of standard interfaces at the business level, as SOA promotes, would allow for these goals to be achieved.
What are the risks if the activity is not done?
The risks are that market solutions are not converging spontaneously towards interoperable models. This could lead to higher costs and low efficiency in the deployment of the new IT technologies in the broadcast environment. It could also lead to a loss of competitive advantage as users are unable to implement more flexible workflow designs which are required to meet the requirements of an ever-changing business environment.
Co-chairs:
- John Footen, NTC, on behalf of AMWA assisted by Brad Gilmer, AMWA
- Giorgio Dimino, RAI, on behalf of EBU assisted by Jean-Pierre Evain, EBU.
