Tag: Prime Focus Technologies

Prime Focus Tech gets funding from PE firm Ambit Pragma

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) – the technology offshoot of media services company Prime Focus – informed the Bombay stock exchange today that it had received its first round of funding from growth capital private equity fund Ambit Pragma.

The amount or how much was being divested in favour of Ambit Pragma was not disclosed by PFT .

It, however, elaborated that it proposes to use the investment for intensifying its development efforts of the software as a service (SaaS) products including its CLEAR Media ERPand gaining deeper penetration and growth in strategic markets such as North America and EMEA with increased sales and marketing efforts.

PFT’s flagship product CLEAR Media ERP is targeted at M&E companies who increasingly adopt technology to tap the digital consumer landscape while enhancing efficiencies and lowering Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

CLEAR is the world’s first and most proven cloud based Media ERP Suite that virtualizes the content supply chain and builds a connected enterprise for M&E companies.

PFT works with more than 300 clients in India and is the chosen technology partner for more than 100 clients globally including various leading broadcasters, studios, brands, sports and digital organizations.

PFT’s award winning CLEAR Media ERP suite and Cloud Media Services have been successfully deployed for the last eight years in global M&E companies such as 21st Century Fox-owned Star India, Novi Digital, Hotstar, Miramax, Disney, Warner Bros, Global Eagle Entertainment, Cricket Australia, CBS Television Studios, 20th Century Fox Television Studios, FX Networks, Crown Media Holdings, Legendary Pictures, Starz Media, Lionsgate, A+E Networks, HBO, Mnet, CNBC Africa, SABC, IFC Films, HOOQ, Sony Music, Voot, Hearst Television, Showtime, BCCI, Indian Premier League and The Associated Press,among others.

“Media ERP adoption in the global M&E industry has been growing steadily. With flat revenues and shrinking margins in traditional media, content enterprises especially broadcasters and studios have a tough time finding resources to invest in new monetization opportunities. M&E companies have to completely rethink technology investments and rejig their business model to survive in the new digital reality,” says PFT founder & CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

The investment by Ambit Pragma istremendous market validation of the business opportunity we serve and offers us growth capital to execute on our strategy for global leadership in the Media ERP space. We are delighted to have a like-minded partner in Ambit Pragma who appreciates the realities and opportunities within the M&E industry.”

Adds Ambit Pragma CEO Rajeev Agrawal: “PFT is a global pioneer addressing the challenge s content enterprises are facing in this hyper digital market through their cutting-edge technology. The architectural road map of the product, its multiple use cases and their management’s thought leadership, represent a compelling opportunity for us to make the investment.”

August 31, 2016
Prime Focus Technologies appoints Raghunath Mohanrao as COO; replaces Ganesh Sankaran

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies has appointed IT veteran Raghunath Mohanrao as its new chief operating officer. Mohanrao will replace PFT co-founder and former COO Ganesh Sankaran.

Mohanroa joins PFT with an eye toward furthering PFT’s growth within the global media and entertainment markets. Sankaran is taking a sabbatical for 15 months to pursue an MBA, while remaining on the PFT Board of Directors.

“I’ve wanted to go back to school for my MBA for some time now, and with PFT in such a strong position, I know this is the right time. I’ve known Raghu for well over 18 years and am confident he is the right fit for PFT. I look forward to his leadership to take PFT to the next level of its growth journey,” said Sankiaran.

“Ganesh is taking a well-deserved break from the hot pursuit of building PFT from its inception in a garage to where it is now. Raghu is an accomplished technology leader in the media and entertainment space and his background and skills offer the best fit for what PFT requires as it charters the next level of innovation, delivery excellence and growth,” added Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

“PFT’s breadth of technology offerings and opportunity for transforming media and entertainment companies are two of the many reasons for my interest and excitement as I take over the position of COO. I look forward to bolstering the unwavering customer and people focus, delivery excellence and innovation at PFT,” added Mohanrao.

Mohanrao will join Ramki and the PFT executive team at the annual NAB Show, a key event for both PFT and the media and entertainment industry as a whole. Initially, he has worked as the telecom, media and entertainment industry leader at IBM, managing IBM’s globally integrated capabilities.

He also focused on worldwide growth strategy as vertical delivery head at Wipro Technologies, responsible for services delivery including profit and loss for telecommunications and worldwide media and entertainment businesses in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

March 29, 2016
Prime Focus Technologies appoints Raghunath Mohanrao as COO; replaces Ganesh Sankaran

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies has appointed IT veteran Raghunath Mohanrao as its new chief operating officer. Mohanrao will replace PFT co-founder and former COO Ganesh Sankaran.

Mohanroa joins PFT with an eye toward furthering PFT’s growth within the global media and entertainment markets. Sankaran is taking a sabbatical for 15 months to pursue an MBA, while remaining on the PFT Board of Directors.

“I’ve wanted to go back to school for my MBA for some time now, and with PFT in such a strong position, I know this is the right time. I’ve known Raghu for well over 18 years and am confident he is the right fit for PFT. I look forward to his leadership to take PFT to the next level of its growth journey,” said Sankiaran.

“Ganesh is taking a well-deserved break from the hot pursuit of building PFT from its inception in a garage to where it is now. Raghu is an accomplished technology leader in the media and entertainment space and his background and skills offer the best fit for what PFT requires as it charters the next level of innovation, delivery excellence and growth,” added Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

“PFT’s breadth of technology offerings and opportunity for transforming media and entertainment companies are two of the many reasons for my interest and excitement as I take over the position of COO. I look forward to bolstering the unwavering customer and people focus, delivery excellence and innovation at PFT,” added Mohanrao.

Mohanrao will join Ramki and the PFT executive team at the annual NAB Show, a key event for both PFT and the media and entertainment industry as a whole. Initially, he has worked as the telecom, media and entertainment industry leader at IBM, managing IBM’s globally integrated capabilities.

He also focused on worldwide growth strategy as vertical delivery head at Wipro Technologies, responsible for services delivery including profit and loss for telecommunications and worldwide media and entertainment businesses in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

March 29, 2016
Prime Focus Technologies inks deal with Miramax

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the technology arm of Prime Focus, has entered into an agreement with global film and television studio Miramax.

PFT will utilise its Primetime Emmy Award-winning DAX, part of the CLEAR Media ERP Suite, to assist Miramax in virtualising its content supply chain and production workflows, helping to reduce content turnaround times, enhance efficiencies, and drive creative enablement.

DAX allows for the secure exchange, collaboration and distribution of work-in-progress materials throughout the content creation lifecycle. This includes, but is not limited to, accessing who viewed, liked, shared and downloaded content (takes, scenes, cuts and complete films/episodes), incorporating user comments and time-code stamps for content review and approvals, transcoding, batch watermarking, image management and more.

“In utilising PFT’s production solutions, DAX and Digital Dailies, Miramax’s creative teams can view in-process production content and access it in a secure on-the-go manner. PFT recently expanded upon the patent for DAX and Digital Dailies technology, demonstrating the continued evolution and development of the software,” said Prime Focus Technologies president, North America Patrick Macdonald-King.

December 24, 2015
Prime Focus Technologies bags award for ‘Digital Next’ campaign

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the technology arm of Prime Focus, has bagged two Platinum Awards as part of the 2015 MarCom Awards competition.

PFT was recognised for its sales collateral, part of a larger, ongoing campaign, Digital Next, launched in April 2015 at National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

MarCom Awards is a creative competition for any individual or company involved in the concept, writing and design of print, visual, audio and web materials and programs.

The Digital Next offerings help address the challenges faced by the media and entertainment industry to meet the demands of the digital consumer, with a focus on building a connected enterprise and digital ecosystem, over-the-top (OTT) solutions and distribution.

Designed in the shape of an iPhone that emulates various well-known Apple iOS interface menus, the collateral won Platinum Awards in both Brochure for Business to Business and Print Creativity for Brochure categories.

“By utilising a nearly ubiquitous design interface, we are able to communicate the shift to Digital Next realities in a manner that resonates with these exact customers who are struggling to cater to the needs of hyper digital consumers. Receiving these MarCom Awards is an honour and further validation that we’re presenting our offerings in an effective way,” said Prime Focus Technologies vice president and head, global marketing & communications T. Shobhana.

At the forefront of PFT’s Digital Next offerings is the CLEAR Media ERP Suite, an enterprise software for virtualising the content supply chain.

November 2, 2015
Prime Focus Technologies secures patent for DAX & Digital Dailies

MUMBAI: The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a patent expanding upon Prime Focus Technologies’ (PFT) existing patents for its DAX and Digital Dailies, part of PFT’s CLEAR Media ERP Suite.

This patent strengthens and broadens PFT’s intellectual property around file based workflows and Digital Dailies.

The new patent is for “a system and method for media content collaboration throughout a media production process,” broadening previous patents issued in 2013 and 2010.

“This patent showcases the evolution, development and leadership that PFT continues to bring to its clients. The 929 patent strengthens our IP and is a reflection of the pioneering efforts of company and people that made it happen. The patent is seen as validation why 80 per cent of network series television uses DAX,” said Prime Focus Technologies president, North America Patrick Macdonald King.

DAX with Digital Dailies allows for the secure exchange, collaboration and distribution of work-in-progress materials throughout the content creation lifecycle. This includes, but is not limited to, accessing who viewed, liked, shared and downloaded content (takes, scenes, cuts), incorporating user comments and timecode stamps for content review and approvals, transcoding, batch watermarking, image management and more.

September 15, 2015
Prime Focus Technologies launches secure screener application for movie studios

MUMBAI: With awards season around the corner and multiple screeners currently in circulation, Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) will be offering SecureScreener as the industry’s first digital, contemporary and safe screener application.

SecureScreener, a superior substitute to DVD and online channel distribution, is part of Clear, the world’s first and most proven hybrid cloud-enabled Media ERP Suite that virtualises the content supply chain.

SecureScreener provides entertainment companies with a robust alternative to the logistical hassle of shipping DVD screeners, as well as peace of mind that screener content is always secure. The application offers access to content anytime, anywhere, while also providing instant feedback including exactly who has viewed, shared and downloaded watermarked content with the option to further customise with expiration and access settings. Recipients even have the option to view the content offline.

Through Clear’s unbreakable Secure Player, SecureScreener delivers a safe, high-quality viewing experience on a variety of platforms, ensuring a seamless end-to-end experience.The Secure Screener is also available as an iPad app.

The cloud-based application also addresses the financial commitments made by studios by eliminating recurring costs that has no productive use. In fact, it is estimated that for every $20 of direct cost spent on physical screeners, $80 more are lost in indirect costs. SecureScreener provides a solution to this monetary drain, reducing the overall cost of screener distribution.

“As studios continue to grapple with the challenges of security in the digital age, SecureScreener stands alone as the safe, cloud-based solution to piracy threats, providing peace of mind that content is secure. In addition to the threat of piracy, there’s a large financial commitment made each year to screeners, both direct and indirect. SecureScreener reduces costs, while also providing studios with more control over their content than ever before,” said Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

SecureScreener is one of five Clear modules addressing specific business challenges to help broadcasters, studios, brands, sports and digital businesses drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiencies and sustainability, reduce cost and realise new monetisation opportunities. SecureScreener is available as a standalone business solution or bundled together as a Cloud Media ERP Suite with: Cloud MAM, Operations Cloud, Broadcast Cloud and Production Cloud.

September 12, 2015
Prime Focus Technologies equips Europe for Digital Next realities at IBC 2015

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is addressing the challenges faced by the media and entertainment industry to meet the demands of the digital consumer at IBC 2015.

Focusing on ‘Digital Next’ realities, PFT is offering solutions for broadcasters, studios, production houses and networks that will help virtualise the content supply chain and build a connected enterprise.

Clear Media ERP Suite: Enterprise software for virtualising the content supply chain: Building a connected and digital ecosystem is key to managing the business of content. With cycle times being reduced from 30 days to 30 minutes, and higher speed and content volume demands, businesses need to be agile in the digital era. To do this, margin-pressed film studios and broadcasters need to shift focus towards flexible, modular, cost effective and collaborative enterprise software to improve operational efficiencies.

PFT’s Clear Media ERP Suite, on display at IBC 2015, brings content to the center of the business and has helped content enterprises cut 30 per cent of operational costs and gain 40 per cent more efficiencies. The CLEAR Media ERP Suite is rich in applications that allow for workflow orchestration across enterprise, supply chain and partner ecosystems. In virtualising these processes, PFT has helped content providers drive creative enablement, enhance efficiencies, lower the total cost of ownership and discover new monetization opportunities.

Clear Operations Cloud, also on display at IBC 2015, is industry’s first ever end-to-end content operations on cloud for multi-platform distribution. With 800 million iTunes users, 60 million subscribers on Netflix, six billion hours of video watched per month on YouTube, and with 19 per cent of US millennials using Amazon Prime, content providers are in a mad race to get content to digital platforms faster and cheaper. They need to do that with not only the lowest total cost of delivery but enable it to be more discoverable for the consumers quickly. PFT’s Clear Operations Cloud helps do just that – not just store and transcode, but perform end-to-end content operations on the cloud. Powered by transcoders including Elemental, Rhozet, AmberFin, Digital Rapids and more, PFT’s Operations Cloud is a unique infrastructure that offers content enterprises the ability to choose the transcoder that suit them best, while utilising PFT’s custom workflow orchestration to package and deliver.

PFT’s Clear Operations Cloud also provides 4K support, including a 4K up-conversion module, by leveraging the Academy Award winning Lowry image processing libraries. This is supported by GPU Cloud Computing infrastructure.

“Media and Entertainment companies cannot have islands of automation anymore. If they need to battle low margins and build operational efficiencies, they need to digitally transform to build a connected enterprise. They need to become hyper digital to cater to the hyper digital consumer. That’s the digital next reality,” said Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

September 2, 2015
Prime Focus Technologies secures SoC2 certification

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), the technology arm of Prime Focus, has secured a Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 certification and expanded upon its ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

These certifications assure clients that PFT meets some of the highest standards for security, availability, confidentiality and processing integrity controls in the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry.

PFT is the first M&E industry-focused cloud-based provider to receive a SOC 2 certification. The SOC 2 certification process is based on standards set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which recently updated the Trust Service Principles and Criteria (TSP) used in granting a SOC 2 certification to better align with current security concerns worldwide. To secure a SOC 2 certification, PFT underwent a meticulous audit to measure and report on the design and operating effectiveness of its controls.

In addition, PFT expanded up its ISO 27001 certification, one of the most widely recognized, internationally accepted, independent security standards. This certification applies to all PFT locations and solutions including its hybrid cloud technology, content processes and data centers serving its CLEAR Media ERP Suite and Cloud-enabled Media Services. As one of the first media and entertainment industry-focused cloud technology solutions providers to achieve this certification back in 2014, PFT has focused on continually improving its security credentials, resulting in an expanded certification globally in 2015.

Deloitte Haskins & Sells LLP independently conducted PFT’s SOC 2 examination for the period of 1 May, 2014 through 31 January, 2015. The ISO 27001 Certification is issued by the British Standards Institution (BSI), the national standards body of the UK and one of the premier accreditation firms in the world.

“With more than 1.2 million hours of content under management on cloud, the security and integrity of our systems is incredibly important. Compliance with the SOC 2 standards requires strict internal policies related to our software development, storing and accessing data and security across systems. Our clients know and rely on our security and compliance measures to ensure their content is secure at all times,” said Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

PFT’s SOC 2 and ISO 27001 accreditations are reassurance of its capabilities in managing the business of content for global clients spanning broadcast, studios, brands, sports and digital businesses. In addition to these certifications, PFT is also MPAA audited.

August 11, 2015
Prime Focus Technologies joins MESA advisory board

MUMBAI: Prime Focus Technologies, the technology arm of Prime Focus, is continuing to support media and entertainment (M&E) companies by joining the advisory board of the Media & Entertainment Services Alliance (MESA).

Prime Focus Technologies will be working with MESA on its mission to support service providers in building efficiencies in the creation, production and distribution of physical and digital media and entertainment.

“As a prominent Cloud solutions provider in the M&E industry, Prime Focus Technologies is constantly looking for ways to advance the development of supply chain infrastructure, content securities and innovation in the industry. Forums such as MESA are critical to the M&E industry as a whole through advocacy efforts, market research and opportunities to interact with other key members. We are proud to be joining as a member of the advisory board,” said Prime Focus Technologies founder and CEO Ramki Sankaranarayanan.

MESA’s expansive range of services includes the development and support of special interest groups, events, media and numerous initiatives. Through these pillars, MESA provides support to its members throughout the year in multiple ways while facilitating collaboration and ongoing discussions.

This new partnership comes shortly after the announcement that PFT has signed a deal with HOOQ, a joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment. PFT’s Operations Cloud, part of the CLEAR Media ERP Suite will help package and deliver content on HOOQ. CLEAR Operations Cloud helps M&E companies deal with volume and speed needs to service content demand from the growing number of digital outlets globally.

“Prime Focus Technologies is making great strides in advancing the way media and entertainment companies adjust to the digital consumer and we are thrilled to have them join us. Their presence will be key as conversations about the digital age and developing technologies continue to move forward,” said MESA executive director Guy Finley.

June 16, 2015