Demand for Aspera Files SaaS On IBM Cloud Generates over 550 Client Activations; MLBAM, Digital Media Services, Imaginary Forces and BASE Media Cloud Are Among New Customers

ARMONK, N.Y., 2016-04-12 17:49 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced multiple new capabilities across the innovative new Aspera Files SaaS platform from Aspera, an IBM company, to be demonstrated at NAB 2016; new Aspera Files clients include MLBAM, Digital Media Services, BASE Media Cloud and over 550 other activations that are leveraging the SaaS platform’s high-speed large data exchange capabilities to accelerate and simplify their digital media workflows.

Built on Aspera FASP® technology, Aspera Files transforms cloud-based content sharing and collaboration by eliminating the problems of sharing large files and large directories with fast and secure transfer of the even the largest content and associated metadata directly from its native storage environment (on premises or in cloud). A multi-tenant SaaS solution running on IBM Cloud, Files is easy to use and instantly available, transfers at maximum speed in predictable time, and offers a rich set of capabilities for sharing, distributing and managing large content. 

New capabilities to be shown at NAB 2016 include the following:

Aspera Drive 2.0 brings the powerful sharing, distribution and exchange features of Aspera Files to the desktop. Users can browse shared folders under their Files Workspaces, share and send large files and directories directly from their desktop, and synchronize remote directories and packages automatically.

Aspera Files Mobile enables users to submit images, video, files and metadata to Files Dropboxes from Apple iOS and Google Android devices over WiFi and cellular networks at speeds that are many times faster than traditional mobile transfer technologies and integrates with the device’s cameras and photo galleries.

Aspera Desktop Client Integration: Users can now access Files and transfer directly from the Aspera Desktop GUI, Watch folders, and its client APIs.

Additionally, Files has over 20 new features introduced since its launch, including:

• New one-click authenticated public links with automatic workspace branding to upload/download in individual folders with configurable expiration, and to upload files and metadata to Dropboxes
• Enhanced navigation with automatic per-dropbox views and pinning of favorite dropboxes and workspaces
• Enhanced email notification including configurable templates by Workspace and package delivery status
• Enhanced previews – Image thumbnails and video previews are automatically created across the entire platform and are now also available for 3rd party cloud and on premise nodes
• Enhanced activity reporting – Administrators can view all activity (Login, Sharing, Transfer, Packages and User Management) for on premises, 3rd party cloud, and built in infrastructure
• A Files API on the Aspera Developer Network exposing all capabilities for 3rd party applications
• Transfer usage reporting and Storage Usage Reporting by access keys

MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM), the NY-based technology company of Major League Baseball, deployed Aspera Files to accelerate and streamline its evolving and growing multi-platform video distribution business.

After considering and testing other products, MLBAM quickly determined that Aspera Files was the best fit to meet its key requirements - including speed, performance, security and rapid deployment. The Files SaaS delivered an easy-to-use brandable Web interface, scalable high-speed transfer and storage, and a fast and simple onboarding process that did not require any IT resources or complex network setups.

“Aspera Files has added significant value to our operations by enabling us to get transfers up and running in a matter of days. Plus, the ability to easily manage user permissions from a web interface has made the whole process extremely easy and efficient,” said Michael Orlansky, senior manager, media delivery at MLBAM.

Aspera Files is used to upload hundreds of multi-gigabyte files each day, reaching up to 1500 video transfers per week. By providing MLBAM with scalable, high-speed transfers of large volumes of digital media files, Aspera can support the efforts of MLBAM to provide consumers with greater access to the highest quality content.

“MLBAM continues to innovate both its digital platform and business model and with that expansion comes an opportunity for new solutions that enable them to move quickly and operate efficiently and reliably. Aspera Files allows MLBAM to meet their evolving video distribution needs to provide faster access to more content in more places,” said Michelle Munson, CEO of Aspera.

Digital Media Services (DMS), a leading provider of TV and digital video advertising delivery solutions selected Aspera Files to expand its suite of services, accelerate growth and gain new international clients. DMS faced growing demand from marketers, advertisers, and content owners to reach consumers through the use of high-resolution media. DMS needed a more powerful platform to provide them with the ability to ingest, transform, and deliver full HD episodes to their clients faster and more securely then their legacy FTP and physical drive shipments.

“Market demand for our services is exploding, and we wanted to be able to service international clients as well,” said John Pellicano, President and CEO of Digital Media Services. “With Aspera Files we have literally doubled the volume of content that we are now able to process and deliver online, and can now support our international clients with the same fast turnaround time our domestic clients are accustomed to.”

“One of the media services we offer our clients is the option to ‘squeeze in’ an extra commercial per episode via our TimeTailor solution. In the past, clients needed to load the video onto a hard disk and ship it via courier to our office. With Aspera high-speed transfers, we can now receive a 30 minute broadcast episode in as little as an hour before our cutoff time to meet customer deadlines. Independent filmmakers and advertising agencies love having some extra editing time before their deadlines,” added Pellicano.

“Initially, our in house FTP service was working well enough, but as the duration of episodes increased, and more content moved to HD, we hit the wall,” said John Moshier, CTO of Digital Media Services. “With Aspera Files we were able to sign up quickly and expand our usage without having to kick off a major IT project.” Digital Media Services Inc. (DMS) was previously known as Duplication Services & Pelco HD.

Imaginary Forces is a creative studio and full service production company specializing in creating and developing content for commercial advertising, digital and interactive platforms, feature films and television. Moving large digital media between their New York and Los Angeles studios and clients is a daily requirement.  

“Each day our producers depend on reliable high volume, high speed transfers to get the job done. We found that Aspera meets the stringent demands of our industry. Plus, it’s convenient and easy to use,” said Peter Frankfurt, co-owner of Imaginary Forces.

BASE Media Cloud recently deployed Aspera Files for boutique sports media agency, Aurora Media Worldwide in support of the FIA Formula E Championship, the ground breaking FIA single-seater championship and the world's first fully electric racing series. The hybrid cloud service is being used to deliver HD packages comprising race material, VT inserts, VoD clips and branded content – amounting to multiple terabytes of media – to race teams, media partners and global broadcasters including FOX, CNN, Eurosport and ITV.

“Media companies need the ability to scale their business without the restrictions of a fixed capacity datacenter,” said Michelle Munson, CEO of Aspera. “Aspera Files provides the same speed, performance and reliability of moving large files over distance as our on-premises software, with all the advantages of a cloud-based pay-as you go service.”

About Aspera
Aspera, an IBM company, is the creator of next-generation transport technologies that move the world's data at maximum speed regardless of file size, transfer distance and network conditions. Part of IBM Cloud, Aspera software is powered by the Emmy® award-winning FASP® protocol to deliver the fastest, most predictable file-transfer, share and sync experience across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructure. Aspera's core technology delivers unprecedented control over bandwidth, complete security and uncompromising reliability. Organizations across a variety of industries on six continents rely on Aspera software for the business-critical transport of their digital assets. Please visithttp://www.asperasoft.com and follow us on Twitter @asperasoft for more information.

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