MS Connects Film Studios, Broadcasters

Microsoft has extended its Connected Services Framework to bridge the disconnect between film studios and broadcasters. The framework offers a Web services-based system to build a shared services infrastructure for digital asset management and content distribution using a service-oriented architecture (SOA).

Microsoft says that the value proposition for broadcast and film industries are that the server-based software will streamline the creation, management and delivery of digital content.

According to Microsoft, this increases operational efficiency, return on existing technology investments, reduces operational overhead costs, improves collaboration, generates new revenue opportunities and improves the customer experience.

"In the broadcast and film industries there has been a historic split between operations and IT infrastructures, but as the migration to digital content accelerates, it is critical to create unified, efficient methods for developing, managing and delivering content," said Joshua Duhl, director of research for the Content Management and Retrieval Solutions service at IDC.

"To be more agile and adaptive, broadcast companies and film studios want a software-based solution, one that plugs into existing infrastructures, enables connected workflow capabilities and facilitates delivery of enterprise wide shared services in a cost-effective manner."

The Connected Services Framework launched in February 2005. More information is available on Microsoft's Web site.