Cisco has unveiled its new Infinite suite of cloudpowered video solutions; Infinite Video will launch by the end of 2015, and Infinite Home will be available early 2016. The new solutions will offer full-featured linear, on-demand, and cloud DVR video experiences.
The Cisco Infinite portfolio will operate across the entire range of delivery models, be it OTT or managed, and whether cable, satellite, wireline or wireless delivery. Being cloudpowered, the new technology allows service providers, broadcasters and media companies to utilise one cloud to deliver an outstanding TV experience to multiple screens on any access network.
Infinite enables rationalisation for service providers with multiple goto- market approaches. Furthermore, the orchestration capabilities of the technology allows these providers to leverage on the operational benefits of controlling and managing legacy equipment in addition to new virtualised services, all through a multi-vendor environment. Cisco will be able to offer both hosted and onpremise solutions.
Cisco is also changing its business model for its Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to a consumptionbased model; where customers pay for what they use when they use it. For service providers, this means that there will be lesser risk when stepping into new services.
The Infinite solutions will give users greater flexibility in their choice of operating their business, with a hosted service offering. “Our Agile and DevOps processes mean that we’re able to provide new features and functionality very quickly,” says Dr. Ken Morse, CTO of Video Software and Solutions.
With Infinite solutions, it will only take 90 days to launch a new video service, minutes rather than months to activate service enhancements, and more frequent software updates and feature enhancements. The solutions are pre-integrated to significantly minimise time and to use open-source components to offer open APIs; translating into faster integration and customisation.
The cloud is further equipped with Cisco’s security solution; both for protecting data in the cloud using its security capabilities, and ensuring protection from content piracy with the Digital Rights Management (DRM) platform.
“Cisco has been at the forefront of the transition to cloud and virtualised platforms, as a company we have invested over US$1 billion to drive a comprehensive cloud and virtualised platform portfolio. We see this forming the platform for the future of Cisco’s business,” says Morse.
With the move to cloud being embraced industry-wide, how can Cisco be at the top of its game nonetheless? Morse continues, “Cisco stands alone in the reach of the portfolio we have; which operates across the entire range of delivery models. Our virtualised solutions are not limited to single functions, such as encoding, but cover the whole gamut of the workflow and delivery of media services. And it’s all protected using our industry-leading software solutions.
“By developing in the cloud, we are able to keep those services up to date, and in many cases, ahead of the curve. This leverages on our own investment in the cloud, as well as utilising third party private and partner clouds via multiple deployment models,” Morse adds.
Cisco is already enhancing its broadcast platforms with cloud based features, for example the hybrid DVR capability that seamlessly uses local and cloud storage. Towards the future, the company will be launching products and solutions that will allow consumers to access content across most devices via any access networkan increase in competitiveness and a reduction in cost.
