Microsoft Announces Partner Ecosystem to Lead Industry to the Cloud

Microsoft has announced the development of a partner ecosystem to lead media and entertainment (M&E) companies to the cloud. This strategic ecosystem enables partners to develop industry-specific solutions based on the Windows Azure platform to give M&E companies a simplified digital supply chain combined with the benefits of cloud computing.

Microsoft is committed to developing a robust partner ecosystem on the Windows Azure platform, as well as looking to make many of its media-enabling technologies such as Internet Information Services HD Smooth Streaming available as services on Windows Azure in the near future. These components will supplement technologies already available for media companies on Windows Azure, such as the Microsoft Media Platform Video Editor (formerly known as Silverlight Rough Cut Editor), used most recently by NBC Sports for its online coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“We believe that the success of Windows Azure in M&E is hinged not only on offering a robust, scalable and open cloud platform, but also offering an excellent partner ecosystem that allows media companies to leverage their critical applications seamlessly between on-premise and the cloud,” said Jake Winett, director of Media & Entertainment Industry Solutions, Microsoft Communications Sector . “Through this partner ecosystem, we can bring additional value both to our customers and our partners and promote innovation at a pace and scale that is rare in the industry.”

“We understand that media customers need a hybrid, flexible approach that allows them to access a custom set of offerings and tools specific to their needs,” added Winett. “The M&E partners working with Microsoft are able to balance multiple applications within a cloud environment because Windows Azure is a technology-agnostic platform. This makes it easier for companies to create, manage, deliver and monetize media on a wide range of platforms and devices.”

There are many partners participating in the ecosystem and delivering Windows Azure-based cloud solutions that span the entire M&E value chain, including digital content management, media business management, and digital marketing and experiences, allowing customers to pick and choose the partners that best meet their unique needs. They include the following:

  • Cloud-based content processing (encoding and transcoding). Digital Rapids and Origin Digital
  • Cloud-based content management. Arvato Digital Services, DAVID Systems GmbH, Harris Broadcast Communications, Polycom Video Content Management (formerly Accordent Technologies Inc.), Sitecore and TechPath
  • Cloud-based content delivery. Aspera Inc., iStreamPlanet Co., MPS Broadband AB and Signiant Inc.
  • Cloud-based content protection. BuyDRM and Cognizant

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