PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
Contact: Ken Bell
Tel: +44 (0) 1173700963

11^th October 2017

The FocalPoint Server team will be attending NAB New York on stand N834 with our partners Studio Network Solutions (SNS). FocalPoint Server is a unique Workflow Asset Management (WAM) software solution that deals with your projects from pre-production to archive.

Media Asset Management (MAM) can’t keep up with a forever changing broadcast landscape, Workflow Asset Management (WAM) can. FocalPoint Server has already helped the BBC and is ready to come to the USA to help you deal with AS-11 deliverables, file syndication and EBUCore concepts. AS-11 production and its North American equivalents (AS-11 X8 for MPEG-2 or AS-11 X9 for AVC)… AS-11 workflow is growing and maturing – It can’t be ignored.

Since 1^st October 2017 UK broadcasters are no longer accepting delivery on videotape. It’s the natural next step three years after the DPP initiated its AS-11 file delivery specification. This is going to naturally transition to the USA.

FocalPoint Server software is unique in that it deals with every step; from pre-production to archive. This rule-based system ensures you are compliant AS-11, without you even knowing it. Simply drag and drop your project to a folder and compliancy is dealt with.

Earlier this year FocalPoint Server won an award from Innovate 2016 in recognition of their pioneering work in this field. This has enabled us to take our software solution to a different level and we are keen to demonstrate this at NAB New York.

Already trusted by the BBC and Fox Sport, FocalPoint Server is bringing the solution to NAB New York to provide you with a solution before you run into a problem, leaving you and your team to do what your do best – Create great broadcast compliant content from anywhere in the world.

If you are looking for workflow asset management a solution that deals with everything from pre-production to archive, come and see us on Stand N834 with our partners Studio Network Solutions (SNS).

WORK SMARTER – TOGETHER – REMOTELY

ENDS

Further Information and notes to the Editor:

About FocalPoint Server Software?

Launch your graphics or editing application through our gateway/simple interface that allows users to collaborate in the Cloud, WAN or LAN, and find their files in three clicks. We track projects from ingest to archive, ensuring correct naming of projects, bins and their storage location. We set project preferences for each job, with version control. This filtering or traffic light approach to managing users increases workflow efficiency and collaboration. As the number of users and department’s increase, the importance of this approach grows exponentially. Remote working via the Cloud reduces the cost of hotel, space and associated expenses while ensuring flexible working and collaboration.

About AS-11 and International Versions

Through joint NABA (North American Broadcasters Association) and DPP meetings, 9 of the major North American broadcasters – ABC/Disney, Bell Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Fox, HBO, NBCUniversal, PBS, TimeWarner and Turner – agreed a common file format, structure and wrapper, based on the AS-11 UK DPP specification. The outcome is two specifications, MPEG-2 and AVC, (published April 2016) for the delivery of finished air-ready programs for North America. This is the Generic NABA DPP HD (AVC) specification. Implementation will continue throughout 2017.

Use of the AS-11 specification simplifies the process of creating and moving program material between post houses and playout companies – and the benefits are being recognized around the world. New specifications for the delivery of finished programs have been created for use in the Nordic countries, Australia and New Zealand, building on the success of the “AS-11 DPP” specifications for the UK. These new Specifications are closely aligned and based on the new rules based format.

About NABA DPP AS-11 Specifications for North America
The North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) and the Digital Production Partnership (DPP) have worked in partnership to develop two technical specifications for the delivery of air-ready HD television programs. These specifications are designed for use in Canada and the United States and require that program files must conform to either AS-11 X8 (MPEG-2) or AS-11 X9 (AVC).

Rule Based Specifications
Traditionally, AMWA specifications have been text based. While being easily human-readable, they do not support automated processes or allow the specification to be quickly and efficiently adapted for new users. This has led to the development of rules based, machine readable specifications. Building blocks, or rules for each of the video, audio (etc.) elements are combined into the final specification. Human-readable descriptions can automatically be generated from the machine versions, and these blocks can be re-used in other specifications. This new approach has proven especially valuable as AS-11 has been extended to accommodate the needs of new international users.

A new approach is also being taken to the publication of AS-11 Specifications. Specifications are now being published on GitHub as “code” and move through different “maturity levels” from “Work In Progress”, to “Proposed Specification” to “Specification”.

We have some news to announce at this year’s IBC… What is more, it is new news.

With a forever changing landscape of formats, codecs and technological ‘advances’ you and your team need to carry on creating. Doing what you and your team do best is paramount while ensuring content is always secure and available, even when working remotely.

The FocalPoint Server team listen to your problems and build solutions that even grow with you. We would love to make your life easier and will be at IBC this year.

What is more, this year we have a new UK and European Distributor to make our solutions even more available.

See us on Stand: 7J15w to find out more…

To find out more about our new partnership with Polar Graphics carry on reading below.

FocalPoint Server and Polar Graphics have teamed up to develop and grow FocalPoint Server business in the UK and European markets.

Polar Graphics will provide additional sales support, channel management, and business development throughout the region and, will work with the current FocalPoint Server reseller channel.

Polar Graphics has a long history of providing representation and distribution for manufacturers in the European broadcast, TV, and film industries. When asked about the partnership, Ken Bell, CEO of FocalPoint Server said;

”Importantly, FocalPoint complements the existing product line Polar Graphics represents, and fits perfectly into their sales and marketing strategy. Peter and his team are very well established and have an excellent reputation in the market place so, we are looking forward to a very successful partnership”

Peter Rowsell, Managing Director of Polar Graphics, said;

“We are excited to work with Ken and his team from FocalPoint Server. I have known Ken and Kevin for many years and have the utmost respect for them and their team. They make a superb and stable product that is used by many top end broadcasters around the world.  We are planning on working closely with FocalPoint Server in order to gain greater traction within the European market.”

About Focal Point Server:

FocalPoint Server came out of the “fires “of the London Olympics 2012. Its task was to manage existing users and the extra 200 freelancers who were not familiar with company work practices.

The key was to make it simple so people would use it.

Come and see FocalPoint server on Booth No. 7.J15W at IBC 2017, the largest media and entertainment show in Europe.

What is FocalPoint Server Software?

Launch your graphics or editing application through our gateway/simple interface that allows users to collaborate in the Cloud, WAN or LAN, and find their files in three clicks. We track projects from ingest to archive, ensuring correct naming of projects, bins and their storage location. We set project preferences for each job, with version control. This filtering or traffic light approach to managing users increases workflow efficiency and collaboration. As the number of users and department’s increase, the importance of this approach grows exponentially. Remote working via the Cloud reduces the cost of hotel, space and associated expenses while ensuring flexible working and collaboration.

WORK SMARTER, TOGETHER, REMOTELY

Contact for FocalPoint Server:

sales@focalpointserver.com   |   +44 (0)1173 700 963   |    www.focalpointserver.com

About Polar Graphics:

Having been distributors / representatives for the broadcast, post and video industries for over 25yrs Polar Graphics are experts in their field.

Known as the Polar Bears they work closely with their suppliers, partners and resellers to ensure they provide the very best products and services to an ever changing and growing industry, placing them at the forefront of their field.

Other brands represented or distributed by Polar Graphics include StorageDNA, Studio Network Solutions, Mediaproxy, Apantac, Bluefish444 and Stardom.

Contact the Polar team now for more information on Focal Point Server:

sales@polar-graphics.com    |    +44 (0)20 8868 2479    |    www.polar-graphics.com

We have recently returned from another successful show Amsterdam where we shared a stand at the IBC 2017 RAI Convention Centre with our partners Polar Graphics and QLSARCHIVE.  Thank you for coming along to see the new developments within FocalPoint Server.

We have just returned from sharing a stand with our partner Blonde Robot at this years SMPTE show at the International Convention Centre in Sydney. It was another successful show and it was great to see you all.  We hope that you enjoyed the show and that you had a chance to watch one of the numerous demonstrations of the new developments within FocalPoint Server.

We have just returned from another successful trip to the Olympia London and were delighted to have been a part of the Media Production Show.  Ken, Kevin and Alyson had a busy few days showing the new features of FocalPoint Server whilst sharing a stand with our Partners GBLabs, Quad Logic Systems and QLSArchive.

We have just returned from another great visit to Las Vegas Convention Centre for the NAB show. Not only was this a success for us,

We had a busy schedule of meetings and demos lined up to show the new features of FocalPoint Server and are grateful to our resellers and technology partners for sending people our way and keeping the booth busy!

As always it was a pleasure to catch up with our friends in the industry and keep up to date with the latest news. We’re already looking forward to next year!

We have recently returned from the Broadcast Video Expo Show at Excel London where we shared a  stand with our Partner QLSARCHIVE.

BVE is the UK’s leading entertainment and media tech event, with over 20-years dedicated to the broadcast, production and post-production sectors and attracts more than 15,000 visitors a year who attend to discover and learn about the latest products, services and trends.

Thank you for popping along to our stand it was great to see you and to demonstrate  the new developments within FocalPoint Server.

We recently hosted a technical webinar with Mike Szumlinski from our resellers PVT in which we outline the reasons for implementing FocalPoint Server into a workflow as well as giving an overview of the back end set up and front end functionality. We also discuss compatibility with NLEs and Archive solutions. You can watch the recorded webinar here.

Ken was in the beautiful city of Singapore at Level 3-6 Suntech from the 23rd – 25th May sharing a stand with our partners CatDV and QLSArchive thank you for coming along to another successful show.