Media Backbone Conductor (MBC) simplifies and harmonises the integration of software applications and production platforms in broadcast and post production facilities. It is a key part of Sony's on-going tapeless initiative called Media Backbone and is based onService Oriented Architecture (SOA) integration principles.
MBC combines the functions of Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Application Integration, Business Activity Monitoring and Media Asset Management, coupled with a dedicated Media Bus designed exclusively for media-centric workflows.
By utilising MBC within your facility you will be able to finally realise the true benefits of an end-to-end tapeless environment. Content will be managed more efficiently across your enterprise and your business enabled to respond far more rapidly to market changes.
Media Backbone Conductor offers the best of both worlds: an open platform, built on industry standards, integrated with off-the-shelf hardware tailored to media industry requirements.
MBC is a SOA-based integration platform built around a core Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) which connects diverse production platforms and applications through a series of Sony developed Service Adapters.
This architecture is proven to significantly reduce the complexity found with traditional integration methods by de-coupling your systems and reducing the number of point-to-point connections. By combining this simplification of architecture with Sony’s Service Adapters, your platform will be better positioned to launch new services and react to new market demands.
Through the use of a Business Process Modelling (BPM) based Workflow Orchestration Engine Media Backbone Conductor will automate many of today’s non-value add tasks and processes. Common processes such as Automated QC and File Transcoding can also be consolidated and shared as an internal “Cloud Service” which MBC manages dynamically.
By incorporating a sophisticated file exchange process, which works in harmony with the workflow orchestration engine, MBC can make sure that the right file is delivered to the right place at the right time. This will enable you to avoid duplicate processes such as ingesting and ultimately reduces your costs.
By connecting your production systems through a common gateway, MBC enables greater access to content stored across your entire business.
Additionally, Sony’s New Content Management System “Navigator” works with MBC to provide your users with a single GUI from which they are able to view and manage assets stored within the connected systems and applications.
By removing redundant tasks and providing users with the right tools, your staff will have more time to create and deliver great content over a wider number of services to diverse audiences.
Being better aware about how your platforms are performing means you can make 'qualified' decisions instead of decisions based on 'gut feel' alone.
MBC provides you with Business Intelligence (BI) tools that enable you to view how your platforms' resources are being utilised. The workflow engine can farm data from any point in a process and present this information as a series of performance “Dashboards”.
By embedding core tools from the leading SOA platform provider Software AG, and by using Open Standards and protocols for software development, Sony reduces risks associated with Single Vendor Lock-in.
Adopting a SOA methodology, MBC enables you to integrate your platforms using a manageable “phased” approach which reduces the technological and financial challenges associated with a 'Big Bang' project.
