Leading production rental company Hireworks has announced the global expansion of Hireworks Connect, its proprietary shared storage solution.

Hireworks Connect enables production teams to work securely from home and collaborate remotely in real time. Editors can stay synced with one another in an emulated shared storage environment by using a Connect box that can configurate with other Connect devices within its production network. Avid ISIS and NEXIS can be integrated into the system, allowing combined on-location working and collaboration with editors working from home or offsite.

The solution’s primary focus is security: data is encrypted both at rest and in transit, with no storage outside the user’s personal Connect device. Each device is authenticated with strong cryptographic certificates, and all communications are protected by TLS and Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). In case of device loss or theft, encryption renders data inaccessible, secured by native EXT4 encryption and a user-defined passphrase. Editors must re-enter the passphrase to access data, ensuring maximum protection.

Connect comes with up to 70 Terabytes of redundant storage capacity per editor. The device provides two dedicated ethernet connections; one to connect to a residential or business broadband router and another to provide media to the edit suite.

The remote workflow is identical to working directly on NEXIS storage, including full bin locking Project Sharing and bin refresh, creating an optimal working environment at industry standard. In the event of internet loss, the Connect box will allow the editor to continue to work standalone with any project. Media already on the box automatically resumes syncing when the internet is restored.

With its Conflict Protection, project changes can be made whilst offline, and will be recorded and logged to check for changes so that nothing gets accidentally deleted or overwritten.

Connect allows companies to be fully flexible and removes the need to be confined to one location, they can expand to anywhere in the world with a hardwired internet service, as a secure portable solution and can be moved from location to location in a hand carriable case.

Hireworks Connect has been picked up and integrated by major studios including Netflix, Amazon Video, Showtime, Warner Bros, Apple TV, HBO and Disney into their productions across the UK, the USA, Spain, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Finland, and Estonia.

Steve Good, Technical Director at Hireworks says, “Hireworks Connect is revolutionising how production teams work remotely, offering industry standard security while enabling seamless collaboration. Editors, directors and producers can confidently work from anywhere in the world without compromising on efficiency or data protection. The encryption and security came first as we knew that is of the highest priority to global studios for very good reasons. Then we build the seamless user experience that lets creatives work from anywhere in the world with the experience and level of quality they’re used to.”

Jon Lawrence, Head of Support and Senior Engineer at Hireworks says, “In a traditional screen sharing remote setup, the editor only gets to work by replicating their computer desktop screens. With Hireworks Connect, editors have the functionality of an edit suite at home complete with breakout boxes and video monitors. For producers, remote security solutions save time and money as it removes the timely process of an assistant having to manually and tediously manage multiple standalone drives in various locations to keep them in sync whilst everyone works in different locations. This frees up time that allows them to assist with the creative editorial process.”