SRG-TPC Switzerland deploys DataMiner at new all-IP facility

TPC, the technology arm of Swiss public broadcaster SRG responsible for TV, radio and multimedia production for SRF, has selected Skyline Communications DataMiner for its innovative news, sports and technology centre in Zurich.

DataMiner is in charge of the end-to-end umbrella management of the entire media data centre, from ingest to media asset management and master control room up to the playout. Based on an SMPTE ST-2110 infrastructure, plenty of new complex IP-centric technical and operational workflows came into play that all need to be managed.

DataMiner looks after the full stack, which includes infrastructure, virtual machines, operating systems and media software applications. As such, the platform provides a 360° visibility on each individual service but also understands how the individual layers in the stack work together to deliver the media service and ensures optimal operational effectiveness and efficiency.

In subsequent phases, all existing monitoring solutions at SRG SSR, of which TPC is a subsidiary, will be migrated towards DataMiner to streamline processes and workflows in order to ensure operational continuity across all SRG locations. The fact that DataMiner proactively monitors all the components enables operators to identify threats or risks before customers get impacted.

DataMiner will also interface with the SRG OSS layer, for example with the existing ticketing system, and will connect all departments in all SRG locations across Switzerland with a single unified DataMiner platform.

Andreas Lattmann, CTO at TPC Switzerland said, “We are aiming for a true future-proof, full-IP SMPTE ST-2110 UHD/HDR-ready system with open standards so that we are entirely free to select only the best components. Another huge factor in this decision was the previous successful partnership with Skyline for our new all-IP UHD OB truck.

“And in general, whereas in the past end-to-end management might have been considered as a nice-to-have, today it is simply an absolute must to be able to deal with the complexity and volatility of an all-IP and highly virtualised media operation.”