Collaborative Workflows in the Cloud: Embracing the Future

USE CASE: CONTENT PREPARATION FROM PRODUCTION TO DISTRIBUTION

Let's take a simple use case: the preparation of multilingual content intended for broadcasting on a linear or VOD platform. 

In simple terms, the process usually involves several actors, from different companies: 
• the rights-holder delivers the program to the broadcaster who bought it; 
• the broadcaster checks that the program meets the required technical standards and specifications, through a Quality Control step; 
• the broadcaster then entrusts the program to a production house or a lab, in order to add subtitles; 
• the lab calls on its translators, mostly freelancers, working remotely, each in a different part of the world, possibly in different time zones, and working at their own pace. 

All these steps are mainly done on business-specific tools; content is exchanged a bunch of times through unique tools to review, comment, modify, review again, etc, until the final validation. 

The lab must ensure that the project runs smoothly, that the timing is respected and that the quality of the work delivered is good, before supplying the final media to the broadcaster. 

On this type of project, there are several pitfalls: how to get a global vision of the work of the freelancers? How to make actors from different companies work together, without wasting time? How to manage multiple versions of files without manual errors? How to keep the budget in check and guarantee deadlines? Finally, the question of the ecological cost of all this trade must be asked, at a time when eco-production is a real issue. 

To address these pitfalls, Videomenthe delivers a fluid, collaborative workflow via a SaaS platform dedicated to the management of media workflows. The idea is to offer all the necessary tools on a unique platform, which all partners can work on, with specific user interfaces. No need to use multiple different softwares - all is provided in a secured cloud interface, answering the need and specifications of the broadcast industry (and also now the corporate one). The content provider and all the partners involved in the global workflow can monitor and view the different steps through which the content is processed. 

The workflow is entirely done on the platform: 
• Basically, the broadcaster uploads the file, launches a technical QC step according to its desired test-plan - a step which is managed by the technical team 
• Then the file goes through an editorial check, managed this time by the editorial team 
• If both technical and editorial checks are ok, the file goes to the transcription & translation steps, managed by the post-prod house / lab 
• The translators have access to the file with restricted rights, according to the language they have to manage 
• Once they reviewed, corrected and validated the file, the post-production house can validate or ask for additional review if needed 
• Once the workflow is finished, the broadcaster can download the ready-to-broadcast content