Microsoft Tailors Software For Filmmakers, Broadcasters

Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday unveiled integrated, server-based software that lets filmmakers and broadcasters streamline the process of creating, managing and delivering digital content.

The Connected Service Framework is meant to form the core of a service-oriented architecture, an evolution in distributed computing that links applications through web services standards, which are based on extensible markup language, or XML.

In announcing the latest offering, Microsoft said it has collaborated with other technology companies whose products support CSF. Those companies include Avid Technology Inc., North Plains Systems Corp., OmniBus Systems, Panasonic and Telestream Inc.

With CSF as the core, media and film companies can create collaborative production environments for producers, writers and audio and video specialists, the Redmond, Wash.-based, software company said. By connecting business and data management systems, companies can also analyze the progress of projects to reduce cost overruns.

Microsoft plans to demonstrate CSF with broadcast industry partners at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention, scheduled for April 18-21 in Las Vegas, Nev.