Partnership Spotlight: Pebble Beach Systems
Seamless Workflows Between Departments
Myers, a leading developer of broadcast management software, and Pebble Beach Systems, a leader in automation, channel-in–a-box, and integrated channel technology, have partnered to deploy a Broadcast Exchange Format (BXF) integrated solution to their shared customer base. The BXF integration, a SMPTE standard for data exchange in the broadcasting industry, provides mutual Myers and Pebble Beach Systems clients with more seamless and automated workflows between Traffic and Automation.
Speaking the Same Language
KCET, an independent public television station in Los Angeles, CA, was the first to implement the joint solution in 2012, and has been reaping the benefits ever since. When shopping for a new automation system, KCET, an existing Myers’ client, liked the fact that Pebble Beach Systems’ Marina System was built on a more modern platform than what was available in the market at that time. They also realized that they would benefit from its robust capabilities and flexibility.
KCET, Myers and Pebble Beach Systems collaborated to develop a BXF integration that would not only satisfy KCET’s immediate requirements, but also represent an ongoing partnership to benefit all mutual customers moving forward.
“We implemented BXF with Myers’ ProTrack broadcast management system and Pebble Beach Systems’ Marina automation system at a time when we were building a new facility and looking to establish an infrastructure that would not only be scalable as we grow, but would also afford us greater efficiencies in our workflow,” said Gordon Bell, Senior VP, Engineering, KCET. “The BXF integration between their respective systems achieves that goal.”
Increasing Workflow Efficiency
Utilizing the BXF protocol provides a universal integration environment for ProTrack and Marina to connect, wherein individual integration points are able to drive the progression of workflow between systems. Once established, the web based integration allows the bidirectional exchange of data, as well as, expanding the total volume of metadata that ProTrack and Marina can share and act upon, leading to an immediate optimization in workflow efficiency across departments. Ultimately, the protocol eliminates redundant, time-intensive manual tasks and reduces errors. Additional benefits of the BXF integration are:
• Notifications and feedback between the two systems are automated and data is able to be validated.
• Users have the ability to search messaging between systems, such as Traffic being able to view an Automation event log.
• As-run reporting is made available in real-time.
• Heartbeat messages verify system connectivity.
The interfaces that are delivered to KCET as a result of their BXF integration solution include, Play-List, Live As-Run, Media Update, Record-List, Ingest/Dub Order, Purge-Confirm, and Purge-List. By implementing the Myers and Pebble Beach Systems BXF solution, KCET has been able to achieve greater efficiency by eliminating what were siloed operations to save both time and money.
About Pebble Beach Systems
Pebble Beach Systems is a world leader in automation, channel in a box and integrated channel technology, with scalable products designed for multichannel transmission, news, sports and interactive television as well as content management, workflow and direct archive control. Installed in more than 60 countries and with proven systems ranging from single up to over 100 channels in operation, Pebble Beach Systems offers open, flexible systems which encompass ingest and workflow automation, and complex file-based workflows. The company trades in the US as Pebble Broadcast Systems. Web: http://www.pebble.tv. Pebble Beach Systems is a Vislink company.
About KCETLink Media Group
KCETLink Media Group is a national independent, nonprofit, digital and broadcast network that provides high-quality, culturally diverse programming designed to engage the public in innovative, entertaining and transformative ways. A viewer-supported 501(c)(3) organization, KCETLink content is distributed nationally via satellite on Link TV – DIRECTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410 – and on KCET in Southern and Central California via broadcast and cable, as well as through various digital delivery systems. For additional information about KCET and Link TV productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org. Select programming from KCET and Link TV is also available for streaming on Hulu and Roku platforms. www.KCET.org www.LINKTV.org
