Cloud Agnostic Media Workflows

S09E03: Game of Streams (Cloud Agnostic Media Workflows)?

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, building a media technology workflow that is cloud agnostic, flexible, and software-based is no longer optional, it’s essential. As online video streaming increasingly dominates viewer habits, every technical decision must be made with the end distribution format in mind. This approach means working backwards from delivery to creation, ensuring that no part of your workflow becomes a bottleneck or a silo.

Containerization as the Foundation

A critical aspect of this strategy is the desire to remain independent from the global cloud giants. Relying solely on a handful of major providers can expose you to the risks of vendor dependency, including pricing pressures, limited innovation, or restrictions that might not align with your operational needs.

A cloud agnostic system lets you deploy your media workflow across public clouds, private data centers, or even on-premise hardware. This strategy ensures that your operation remains resilient, competitive, and cost-effective regardless of changes in the global cloud market.

Containers provide a consistent, isolated environment for your applications, ensuring that they behave the same regardless of where they run. This container-first approach not only enhances scalability and portability but also simplifies the orchestration of complex media processes.

Open APIs and Replaceable Components

Flexibility is key when the media landscape is as dynamic as it is today. To avoid vendor lock-in and to stay on the cutting edge of technology, every component in your workflow should be replaceable. This means building clear, open APIs between each module. With well-architected interfaces, you can integrate best-of-breed solutions and swap out components when superior alternatives become available. This plug-and-play architecture ensures that your media pipeline remains agile, adaptable, and future-proof.

For each component in your workflow, there are powerful open-source alternatives available. These solutions not only provide the flexibility to integrate seamlessly into your architecture but also empower you with complete independence from any single vendor. This freedom to choose, and even influence, the development of your tools is a game changer for any forward-thinking broadcaster or streaming service.

By thinking “backwards”, you avoid unnecessary steps and focus on what truly matters: delivering the best possible streaming experience.

End-to-End Workflow Alignment

?In traditional workflows, high-quality content is created first and then retrofitted to meet delivery standards. However, in the streaming-first era, it’s crucial to reverse this process.

One of the biggest pitfalls in media production is creating technology silos. Traditional broadcast workflows produce content in uncompressed, high-quality formats without considering the requirements of the final delivery platform. In modern media workflows keep the end distribution destination, compressed video for online streaming, at the forefront of your process. Every decision, from encoding methods to storage formats, should be made with the final output in mind. This alignment prevents wasted resources and guarantees that every component of the pipeline contributes effectively to the viewer’s experience.

By thinking “backwards”, you avoid unnecessary steps and focus on what truly matters: delivering the best possible streaming experience.

To watch out for the coming months…

A media technology workflow built on cloud agnosticism, containerized components, open APIs, and open-source solutions is the key to navigating the future of online video streaming. This approach not only mitigates the risk of technological obsolescence but also promotes continuous innovation while keeping you independent from the global giants. By embracing the freedom to select and even shape your tools, you empower your organization to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Keep an eye on developments in container orchestration, API standardization, and open-source media tools, as these technologies continue to redefine the media landscape. Stay tuned for more insights and practical advice on building workflows that are as resilient as they are innovative.

Magnus Svensson is a Media Solution Specialist and partner at Eyevinn Technology. Eyevinn Technology is the leading independent consulting company specializing in video technology and media distribution.

Follow me on LinkedIn and X (@svensson00) for regular updates and news.?

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