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Ateliere Partners with HCLTech to Enhance SaaS Platforms and Boost Cloud Operations
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Vicon Debuts Markerless Motion Capture Tech
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Avid Technology in Acquisition Talks with STG and Francisco Partners
Discussing the latest technological news with our respected experts – Philip Grossman and Mary Ann Seidler. Don’t forget to give the program a like!
Maria Kholodova: Ateliere is set to utilize HCLTech’s digital transformation, platform integration, and cloud consulting expertise to expand its professional services and customer support. This partnership aims to improve user experience on Ateliere’s Connect and Discover SaaS platforms, facilitating cloud-based production and distribution operations.
Philip, can you break this down for me?
Philip: We’re witnessing a significant shift towards cloud solutions. Clearly, Ateliere is advancing by integrating their entire media supply chain and cloud broadcast production. However, I do have some reservations. I recall a CIO magazine survey where they interviewed numerous CIOs, and 70% are still awaiting a return on their cloud investments. The media supply chain might differ, especially for large, globally distributed organizations. Using cloud solutions can be beneficial in such cases, as it facilitates distribution to multiple endpoints and can reduce storage needs. It’s an intriguing approach. The fact that they’re collaborating with a partner that already has a platform, and then building on top of that, seems like a strategic move rather than trying to create everything from scratch.
Maria: Now moving on to Vicon. Vicon, in collaboration with Artanim and Dreamscape, will showcase its machine learning-powered markerless motion capture technology at SIGGRAPH 2023. The innovation, developed over three years, aims to revolutionize motion capture, offering more natural movement in VR experiences.
So Philip, will this actually do anything to improve the VR experience?
Philip: I don’t necessarily think it will improve the VR experience, though it will definitely extend it. You’re no longer going to need a dedicated room with IR sensors, nor those suits with golf balls or ping-pong balls attached. What I find interesting about this technology is its potential for virtual interactions. If I want to watch a VR movie with a friend who lives across the country and see them sitting next to me, this technology could help. They wouldn’t need to wear a special suit; the tech can capture their motion using machine learning. This is what many refer to as artificial intelligence, but it’s really about advanced algorithms and processing methods. I believe this tech will benefit and expand the capabilities of real-time motion capture. I’m excited to see where they’ll take this. And I’m curious: how much processing power will it require? Will we need a massive server farm, or could the same technology potentially run off an iPad?
Maria: Symphony Technology Group (STG) and Francisco Partners are reportedly in talks to acquire media editing software maker Avid Technology Inc. Avid, which began exploring sale options earlier this year, said it could finalize a deal as early as this month.
What are your thoughts on this?
Mary: It’s quite intriguing. I remember when Avid was just starting out, and now it’s grown into this major entity with both STG and Francisco Partners considering an acquisition. This could be an opportunity for Avid to venture into new territories and broaden their influence. Take Symphony Technology, for instance; they often invest in companies they believe have significant growth potential. From a broadcaster’s perspective, one might wonder about the growth potential in broadcasting. Perhaps not so much in the traditional sense, but consider the sheer volume of content being produced now for various platforms. I can envision them propelling Avid to greater heights. As for Francisco Partners, they’ve also made significant strides in the industry. It’s noteworthy that they own GoodRx, a brand that’s become widely recognized. Additionally, they have a stake in New Relic, which specializes in stack monitoring for companies. If both of these entities have an interest in Avid, the dynamics could be fascinating. I’m curious about Avid’s decision to sell. Are they considering a sale to further expand, or is it more of a strategic pivot for them? Avid is a commendable company, and I trust both potential acquirers. They both have stellar reputations, especially in terms of employee treatment. That’s a positive sign.
Philip, what’s your take on this?
Philip: Some might perceive this as a classic “chainsaw” Al Dunlop strategy, where the new owners might dissect the company and sell it in parts. This could be beneficial, given Avid’s strong foothold in the television editing market. It’ll be intriguing to see if this acquisition, if it happens, is geared towards expansion or segmentation.
Maria: That’s all the time we have today. Many thanks to our experts – Philip and Mary! And don’t forget to comment on the news we’ve discussed. See you next Monday at the same time! Goodbye!
The live broadcast took place on August 7, 2023. Production – TKT1957 LLC.
Media Partner – Cine Gear Expo.
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