Applied Technology: Does the World Really Need Another Storage Solution?

Anyone with a story worth telling should only be limited by their creativity, not their technical prowess.

High-performance, collaborative media storage is the heart of any facility and comprises the foundation for efficient workflows. If it’s functioning properly, it keeps editing, graphics, animation, and color correction departments all running smoothly. And if there’s a disconnect, well, the result could end up being with a room full of high-priced creatives sharpening their gaming skills while they wait to re-connect with their projects. Storage is a tool, and tools should never force people to drop out of their creative mindset and troubleshoot technical issues.

Enter creative.space

creative.space wasn’t developed because the industry was suffering from a lack of storage systems. It was created to provide a unique option that offers a sensible, reliable and affordable alternative to high-priced, under-serviced systems and provide creatives the performance needed without the technical burden of maintaining IT systems. This solution delivers the storage and performance required by today’s projects while allowing facilities the luxury of expanding only when necessary.

Most of all it is a new kind of relationship.

New Concept in Media Storage

creative.space is an On-Premise Managed Storage (OPMS) system - an entirely new concept in media storage. It gives production and post-production houses the option to avoid purchasing another piece of iron and committing to another service contract. The solution provides a high-speed, high-capacity OPMS service featuring 24/7/365 monitoring, technical support and next-day repairs all wrapped into a palatable monthly cost - not an eye-watering expensive capital purchase.

Click to enlarge.<br />

Click to enlarge.

Technically speaking, creative.space is a convergence of both hardware and software that truly defines a new standard for collaborative media storage. The solution is optimized to handle big data and high-bandwidth media workflows. Not only does this provide unbeatable performance but it also means that assets are ready for the incoming wave of AI-powered analytics that can help unlock additional value from existing content

Most of what makes the cloud great is a distributed architecture, and that is something you can get in your facility or at a data center. This solution provides both on-premise and in the data center availability that results in predictable and accountable storage that puts the user in control of the data, wherever desired.

Five Configurations

The creative.space platform is available in five configurations, one for every need and budget: //AUTEUR, //DEUS EX, //BREATHLESS, //MONTAGE, and //ROGUE.

//AUTEUR

The //AUTEUR gives an entry point that can handle today’s workflows. The //AUTEUR was carefully designed to balance the needs of modern creative teams working with compressed 4K, 6K, and 8K workflows. Systems start small and grow as needed.

//DEUS EX

The //DEUS EX option is a //AUTEUR that is upgraded with SSDs that can handle the most demanding formats. It enables collaborative workflows that previously required a tedious offline/online process, saving the time typically spent conforming so it can be invested in delivering a higher-quality product.

//BREATHLESS

The //BREATHLESS option is designed to push modern hardware as fast as it can go. It is a completely redesigned form factor intended to maximize performance while minimizing footprint. It provides half a petabyte of NVMe flash storage in a single rack unit. By using the new Next Generation Small Form Factor (NGSFF), this option provides the lowest cost per GB for NVMe storage. With NGSFF, each of the 36 NVMe cards is loaded into a form-fitted caddy that slides into the unit and connects directly to the motherboard via PCIe.

//MONTAGE

The //MONTAGE alternative is perfect for libraries of content that may need to be accessed at a moment’s notice. The //MONTAGE is all about getting the most capacity for the lowest cost. Unlike the performance-focused systems, this platform offers more flexibility on hard drive options to keep costs down.

In the same 4 rack space used by the //AUTEUR or //DEUS EX, the //MONTAGE fits 60 bays (up to 720 TB). Users can configure the feature as a nearline system (RAID) or as a private cloud (Object Storage). This package is built on the same foundation as the other systems and can hold its own against high-end legacy storage solutions designed for broadcast workflows.

//ROGUE

The //ROGUE configuration includes four 10/12 TB drives and two full-speed 10 GbE (and four 1 GbE) connections. The result is a fully portable, easy-to-transport, collaborative module.

Powered by DigitalGlue, creative.space enables creatives to benefit from the expert advice of industry-veteran engineers and provides support that goes way beyond just troubleshooting.

Nick Anderson, creative.space product manager, DigitalGlue

Nick Anderson, creative.space product manager, DigitalGlue

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