Imagine Communications Launches Zenium for Microsoft Azure Media Services

- Zenium™ software defined workflow management platform enables Microsoft customers to design scalable , cloud-based processing and compression applications and services

AMSTERDAM, Sept. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine Communications, a market leader of media software and video infrastructure solutions serving the global broadcast, multichannel video programming distributor and enterprise markets, is collaborating with Microsoft Corp., to make the next generation Zenium™ software defined workflow management platform available for deployment on MicrosoftAzure. As part of this relationship, Zenium will be available on Microsoft Azure Media Services, enabling customers to design and launch efficient, scalable, cloud-based media processing applications, workflows and services.

Azure Media Services is an open and scalable platform that allows customers to simplify the process of creating and managing complex media workflows. Customers can select cost-effective, integrated services for uploading, storing, encoding and packaging video for on-demand and live streaming delivery of any media, to virtually any device, anywhere in the world. Leveraging the power of Azure Media Services, users can quickly build and manage applications across Microsoft's global network of datacenters, without focusing on the infrastructure.

"Our IP-enabled, software-defined, cloud-virtualized approach to media processing provides Broadcasters, MVPDs and Enterprises with the most scalable, agile, and robust development environment," said Charlie Vogt, CEO of Imagine Communications. "Microsoft Azure offers customers scale, value economics, global networking and virtualized storage, enabling the media & entertainment industry and distributors of video content with an advanced, flexible and customized workflow environment. Together, Imagine Communications and Microsoft will transform the cloud media services landscape."

"TV Broadcasters, Multichannel Video Programming Distributors, Retail, Education and Government enterprises are increasingly transitioning to software-based cloud environments," said Sudheer Sirivara, Partner Director of Engineering, Microsoft Azure. "Imagine Communications' modular software environment for running specialized and custom workflows at scale ideally meshes with our virtually unlimited cloud capacity. This integration allows customers to more rapidly and cost effectively introduce industry leading quality and performance into their toolsets, while providing the most competitive scalability, customization and flexibility. We look forward to building on our relationship with Imagine Communications, a recognized leader driving the industry to a future that is defined by IP, software and cloud virtualization."

Imagine Communications' Zenium is a next generation platform that empowers companies to design, deploy, maintain, manage and scale software-defined workflows. By providing an open, collaborative development environment, it provides a future-proof foundation that enables customers to seamlessly migrate and adapt their workflows. Zenium exploits new service and revenue opportunities while minimizing costs and simplifying workflows.

About Imagine Communications 
Leveraging more than five decades of innovation, Imagine Communications Corp. is a global leader of media software and video infrastructure solutions serving more than 3,000 broadcast, multichannel video programming distributor, government and enterprise customers spanning 185 countries. Today, nearly half of the world's video channels traverse through more than 3 million of our products deployed around the world. With a bold vision and commitment to IP-enabled, cloud-based, software-defined platforms and TV Everywhere, Imagine Communications is delivering billions of moments around the world anywhere, anytime and on any device. Visit www.imaginecommunications.com for more information, and follow us on Twitter @imagine_comms.