Spectra Logic and Avid Announce Joint Integration of BlackPearl and Interplay.

Spectra Logic and Avid, at Avid Connect 2015, unveiled a new integration that allows long-term data storage and easy accessibility at extremely low cost, with a direct to tape archive option not previously available. This integration allows Avid users to directly archive and retrieve content from tape libraries. Availability of the new Spectra Logic-Avid solution means that media and entertainment assets can be stored indefinitely, for only pennies per gigabyte.

The newly enhanced Spectra Logic BlackPearl™ Gateway to Deep Storage sits in front of deep storage tape library technology, which allows users to scale at a low cost. BlackPearl and Avid Interplay | Production deliver simple HTTP commands that move data anywhere within a network and deliver additional features for bulk data movement that increase workflow efficiency. Together, they offer on premise or global access to content, affording all the benefits of a public cloud within the user’s own environment.

For media and entertainment organisations to stay competitive, streamlined workflow and affordable digital archiving is essential and must easily integrate into standard workflows. The new integration is designed to address these points for post-production, sports organizations, digital archiving and more. BlackPearl and Interplay | Production allow archives to be directly available to production further simplifying the workflow for time and cost reduction.

“Spectra Logic has a long history of understanding the storage challenges faced by the media and entertainment industry,” said Spectra Logic’s Chief Technology Officer Matt Starr. “Our solutions have decades of experience built in. Coupled with Avid’s best-in-class production management solutions, we have created a streamlined, efficient and affordable workflow for media and entertainment clients that evolved from deep expertise.”

Solution Description
With Spectra Logic’s superior BlackPearl™ Deep Storage Gateway product, Avid Interplay | Production users now have an end-to-end workflow solution, from data ingest to deep storage. The new solution is fully integrated into the Avid archive environment so customers can quickly and easily manage, archive, find, and restore large numbers of valuable media assets.

Joint Solution Benefits Include:

• Simple HTTP interface to tape libraries for archived content
• “Plug and play” model for easy deployment
• Seamless scalability at a flat to decreasing cost per GB
• Media assets accessible through open LTFS tape format
• The new solution is rolled out in tandem with Spectra Logic’s collaboration as a valued Avid Connectivity Partner. Through this partnership, Spectra Logic expertise has been validated by Avid and Spectra products have proven to adhere to the Avid Connectivity Toolkit standards.

“Avid is proud to announce with Spectra Logic a new solution for our customers and simultaneously to welcome Spectra to our Connectivity Partner Program,” said Kevin Usher, Director Solutions Development, Avid. “Our Interplay | Production and Spectra’s BlackPearl offer customers a simple, affordable, directly integrated archive solution that utilizes LTFS for long term content integrity and availability. This solution now, makes archiving accessible to all Interplay | Production users.”

Come learn more about the Spectra Logic-Avid solution at Avid Connect through April 12, 2015 booth #18. Immediately following Avid Connect, join us at the annual convention of The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) on April 11-16, 2015 booth SL11816 in Las Vegas, the world’s largest media and entertainment trade show. Visit Spectra’s booth for daily BlackPearl demos.