For a start, I will like to introduce a bit of background story on IBM cloud video before I explain further how IBM engaged itself to provide the Live video streaming service.
Ever since the acquisition of Ustream by IBM in 2016, it has allowed IBM to create cloud-based video services and offer the live streaming services to business that offers a wide variety of software solutions for the purpose of media and entertainment such as internal based video communication and video marketing.
While there are several versions of Ustream platforms that are identified as IBM Cloud video services, plans that fall under DIY (Do It Yourself) or self-service are still branded as Ustream. Whereas premium or enterprising plans are falling under the IBM Cloud Video platform gradually as IBM offers better functionality and efficiency such as IBM Watson integrations to enhance the features of live streaming services.
For the branding part, there will be more and more collateral that is outside of the platform branded as IBM Cloud Video platform. This means that any webinars, corporate email communications, white papers, and articles will showcase both IBM and Ustream as dual brands. Which also includes any broadcasts or content owners by Ustream or on behalf.
To understand how IBM Cloud Video works, I have provided a short list of products and services for the live streaming purpose.
- IBM Cloud Video Streaming Manager
Similar to the Ustream Pro Broadcasting, IBM Streaming Manager is a platform that is cloud based to deliver live or on-demand videos of real-time events to audiences in massive scale around the world. Using the process called Software Defined Content Delivery Network (SD-CDN in short) that utilizes multiple CDNs to achieve scale and reliability performance. - IBM Cloud Video Streaming Manager for Enterprise
With functions similar to Ustream Align, IBM Streaming Manager (Enterprise edition) is the upgraded version that is commonly used for corporate or HR training purpose. Using email verification or corporate directory integration via a single-on (SSO), Access to the platform is controlled and the usage can be tracked based on per viewer basis to show the time frame and which assets are accessed. - IBM Cloud Video Enterprise Content Delivery Network
Equivalent to Ustream eCDN functions, IBM Enterprise Content Delivery Network is a hybrid cloud delivery solutions with technologies that allow audio and video content to scale at the various location using caching streams to reduce strain on the network. This means that this application can scale the contents to accommodate large viewership without affecting the content’s quality and the network speed to stream the video.IBM Cloud Video streaming has definitely created a strong impact on how live streaming works. With the ability to achieve rapid scalability, easy integration of data and analytics on a global scale. IBM has created an ideal platform to quickly develop and producing personalized digital media products and services that can be personalized easily.