
Chapter 1. Introduction to digital media 5
Figure 1-3 IBM’s Digital Media Framework
The Digital Media Framework describes an open “ecosystem” with widely
available specifications for formats, protocols, and APIs that facilitate solutions
based on IBM’s and business partners’ components. It provides customers with
the assurance of a solid foundation when dealing with heterogeneous platforms
and applications (which is almost always the case in digital media). This enables
customers to implement a robust set of media-based solutions tailored to solve
their business problems, while taking advantage of the already installed
infrastructure.
The component nature of the framework, based on open and de facto standards,
eases the integration of media functions into the business.
An open framework is more efficient and drives better functionality for the
business by removing barriers that keep rich media contents from crossing
platforms. The transition from vertically integrated solutions to component-based
solutions results in durable investments for customers. As needs change,
individual components can be replaced without sacrificing crucial infrastructure
ProtectionWarehousing Infrastructure
Manage
Delivery Devices
Distribute & Transact
Rich Media Creation
Set-Top
Box
Set-Top
Box
Set-Top
Box
Distribution
Scheduling
Distribution
Scheduling
Distribution
Scheduling
Retail
Display
Retail
Display
Retail
Display
PC - PrintPC - Print
Wireless
Device
Wireless
Device
Wireless
Device
Wireless
Gateway
Wireless
Gateway
Wireless
Gateway
Media
Gateway
Media
Gateway
Media
Gateway
KioskKiosk
Interactive
Media
Interactive
Media
Interactive
Media
VideoVideo
TextText
ImageImage
AudioAudio
Other
Data
Other
Data
Other
Data
RenderingRendering
Ingest &
Indexing
Engine
Ingest &
Indexing
Engine
Ingest &
Indexing
Engine
Multi-
repository
Search
Middleware
Multi-
repository
Search
Middleware
Multi-
repository
Search
Middleware
Digital Rights
System
Digital Rights
System
Digital Rights
System
Business
Rights System
Business
Rights System
Business
Rights System
Managed
Business
Hosting
Managed
Business
Hosting
Managed
Business
Hosting
Infrastructure
Services
Infrastructure
Services
Infrastructure
Services
Content
Aggregation
Content
Aggregation
Content
Aggregation
E-sourcingE-sourcing StorageStorage
WANWAN
Streaming
Media Server
Streaming
Media Server
Streaming
Media Server
LANLAN
Edge
Cache
Edge
Cache
Edge
Cache
Transaction
Server
Transaction
Server
Transaction
Server
Return
Network
Return
Network
Return
Network
Create
Application Integration MiddlewareApplication Integration Middleware
EditingEditing
AnimationAnimation
Content
Management
System
Publishing
Production
System
Content
Management
System
Content
Management
System
Content
Management
System
Publishing
Production
System
Publishing
Production
System
Publishing
Production
System
Business Support Systems, Operational Support Systems, Mission Area ApplicationsBusiness Support Systems, Operational Support Systems, Mission Area Applications
SensorSensor
Note: The fact that the framework is open, drives efficiency, cost savings and
creativity.