After a first positive experience at NAB Show 2023, where Aspire Software’s three Broadcast & Media companies had for the first time the opportunity to participate in an event in a shared booth, we could not miss our annual appointment in Amsterdam to attend the biggest event of the industry at European level: the International Broadcasting Convention. Here are some of the key points of the four days of intense activity in the capital of the Netherlands.

Different spaces, new dynamics

 Unlike previous editions, this time VSN, Woody Technologies and M&I Broadcast Services teamed up to share two almost adjacent spaces in Hall 7. While the first area was dedicated to demos and in-depth meetings, including an exclusive demo area for Omniplayer that reproduced the environment of a professional DJ, the second one was set up for more relaxed conversations, in an ideal environment to meet again with many of our customers and partners.

On the other hand, both new visitors and old acquaintances found an unusual opportunity: to be able to cover nearly all their media workflow needs without leaving the same space. While VSN showed the latest advances of its core products, VSNExplorer and VSNCrea for content management and scheduling, the same visitors were interested in the ingest system of IN2IT Access, the new playout possibilities of IN2IT Live or the search system of IN2IT Social. In addition, more than a few users also include radio in their broadcast offering, so a two-step visit to discover Omniplayer and its latest features for radio production and automation was more than convenient.

One event, two events, three events…

As is often the case, an event like this is not only a great opportunity for business meetings, but also to keep up to date with the state of the industry and the latest trends. We attended the always revealing Devoncroft Executive Summit the day before the start of IBC, as well as several sessions on cutting-edge technology, a topic where, as expected, the main protagonist was the use of Artificial Intelligence in all types of media workflows, from cataloging to distribution and broadcast, as well as the transition to Cloud systems.

IBC 2023 by the numbers

The Amsterdam event confirms its improvement after overcoming two pandemic cancellations and a somewhat irregular return to business in 2022: 43,065 attendees from 170 countries stopped by the RAI, an increase of 16% over the previous edition.

On the exhibitor side, more than 1250 decided to attend an annual event that, without having yet recovered from the pre-pandemic bustle, is starting to approach more consolidated attendance levels and reaffirming the recovery of physical shows, something that was already noticeable at NAB Show last April.

“We have seen a fantastic turnout from across the industry at IBC 2023,” commented Michael Crimp, CEO of IBC. “There has been a real sense of purpose at the show as business leaders and technology innovators have come together to help our industry navigate change and build a better future for media and entertainment. I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support and participation; we look forward to seeing you again next year.”

Until the next show!

In conclusion, the combination of venues and Aspire group companies proved to be a positive experience, as did the number and level of meetings and demonstrations we were able to hold during the event. We can only thank our colleagues from M&I for their outstanding hosting, as well as for their presence to all those who came to visit us, and extend a warm invitation to our next great joint meeting: NAB Show 2024!

VSN will showcase at IBC 2023 the new functionalities of its core products, VSNExplorer and VSNCrea. The company will be present at booth 7.D16 and 7.D17 in Hall 7 at its traditional appointment at the Amsterdam RAI, where it will show the new Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, and Business Process Management functionalities of VSNExplorer, as well as the new features in linear scheduling, rights management and monetization of VSNCrea. Finally, it will present its integration in end-to-end workflows with other Aspire group systems. 

VSNExplorer, more advanced than ever before  

VSN’s MAM system takes a step forward in its intelligent metadata segmentation functionality with an aggregator view of metadata coming from multiple AI engines, as well as a new functionality for advanced segment searches by AI elements. In addition, the Business Intelligence module also features new detailed reports -easily added as widgets to any dashboard- on the platform’s own status for better strategic decision making.    

On the other hand, within the VSNExplorer BPM module, the BP Editor application introduces a new “Expert Mode”. This innovative mode includes a series of predefined tasks to streamline and optimize business processes. Importing and exporting these tasks adds even more versatility and flexibility for organizations to customize their workflow more efficiently. 

VSNCrea reinforces its key functionalities  

VSN’s BMS system includes several improvements in its linear scheduling module, whose scheduling is now more intuitive, as well as new features for content monetization. The Broadcast Management System also now supports specific digital platform rights in its Acquisitions module, as well as greater support for publishing content on YouTube, allowing for greater versatility in multiplatform content distribution. 

Aspire Group integrates its products into end-to-end workflows  

In response to the industry’s increasingly complex workflow needs, the three broadcast software companies – VSN, Woody Technologies and M&I Broadcast Services – will also present options for complete workflows, from full ingest (Woody’s IN2IT), through media management (VSNExplorer), scheduling (VSNCrea) and playout and distribution (VSNOneTV and Omniplayer).   

“After a first experience with all three companies under one roof, we are looking forward to presenting ourselves also with this format at this edition of IBC. The pieces are starting to fall into place, and we are looking forward to showing the result of these last months of work live and back in Hall 7 at the RAI. We all have interesting news, both together and separately, and I am sure that the event will be a great success” – commented Ricardo Quintanilla, VSN’s Marketing Director. 

Alfredo Blanco Paredes is VSN’s new Product Manager. In this interview, he shares his professional career in the Broadcast industry and his experience working with companies in the field, about the importance of Media Asset Management (MAM) in the audiovisual world and the future trends in this technology. In addition, he also offers his vision of the three Broadcast companies in Aspire’s vertical. 

Llevo en el sector de Broadcast desde el año 1990, cuando entré a trabajar en PESA Electrónica como técnico de instalaciones para Unidades Móviles. Desde entonces, he ido pasando por varias empresas y puestos hasta hoy. En resumen, he sido responsable de Mantenimiento del Sistema Integrado de Noticias y del Control Central en Atresmedia, en Key Account Manager y Project Manager en Dalet, Project Manager en Grass Valley y también he trabajo en Unitecnic en dos ocasiones, la primero como Project Manager, y la segunda como responsable del área de Sistemas Audiovisuales. Finalmente, en Telson ejercí en el área Servicios Audiovisuales como responsable Técnico del área de Canales Temáticos. 

Of course, I knew VSN. I was a client of Unitecnic during my time at Telson after the implementation of VSNExplorer as the solution for the management of Turner Spain’s channels. Later, at Unitecnic, VSN was our MAM solutions provider. As a joint bid, we were awarded the Corporació Valenciana de Mitjans de Comunicació (CVMC) archive system. 

Yes, I knew both. With Woody I have had a much closer relationship because they were Unitecnic suppliers, and in my stage there we proposed their solutions in some tenders in which we participated. I knew M&I because I searched, also during my time at Unitecnic, for radio automation solutions to enter bids that required a radio system integrated with the MAM system.

I have always considered the company to be a very dynamic one, with a very capable group of people who were open to finding solutions when a problem arose. As a client, I have nothing but words of gratitude for all the help and dedication they gave me when implementing the MAM for Turner. Everyone who knows me has always heard me say that VSN was a company I would like to work for in the future. Happily, that future is now present and I am privileged to work here. 

My role will be Product Manager in Toni Vilalta’s team, current Product Development Director. The purpose is to bring my experience –both as an integrator and as a customer– to improve as much as possible both VSNExplorer and Woody’s IN2IT and to work on the integration of all the products of the Media & Broadcast vertical to offer customers a complete and relevant content management solution for the television industry, but also for the radio business, which is where we are connected with M&I. 

The MAM concept came at the time as something disruptive, something that came to solve the maelstrom that content management was in the audiovisual world (Excel sheets, tapes with barcodes, etc.) and has gradually become the cornerstone of all companies in the media world and even the corporate part of other companies outside the industry that have very powerful communication departments and also need to manage in an agile and centralized way all the multimedia resources of their company. From my point of view, nowadays MAM systems have become essential. It is a very useful way to provide a solution to all content needs for companies (corporate intranet, social media, public events, online training, etc.). 

As I mentioned before, I believe that they are going to become –if they are not already– the only possible way to efficiently manage the enormous amount of material that is generated daily in order to cover all the areas of information that a company needs. If we add to this the use of AI for the automatic generation of metadata associated with the media, the possibilities of these systems grow exponentially. Furthermore, I believe that we are heading towards a greater integration between the MAM and the rest of the systems (CRM, CMS, Traffic, Playout Automation, News Systems, Social Media) that will allow us to increase productivity in a simpler way. 

Among other things, the possibility of accessing its client portfolio, and being able to open new markets, the implementation of some internal processes that allow us to optimize resources, and a mentality that is different from ours, more North American. In addition, there is also the possibility, within the vertical, to continue acquiring companies that allow us to offer an even more complete solution to our customers. 

Barcelona, SPAIN – July 13th, 2023   

Aspire Software, the operational arm of the Valsoft Corporation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Lopez as Managing Director for the Broadcast vertical, overseeing three esteemed software companies within the portfolio.  

Telecom engineer by the Universitat Politècnica of Catalunya, Aaron has more than fifteen years of experience in the sector. After previous professional endeavors, he joined VSN in 2010 and was appointed COO in 2014. Since that moment, he became a cornerstone in the international consolidation and the growth of the company’s media solutions, which earned him the Managing Director designation in 2022.  

With a proven record in the Broadcast & Media industry, Aaron Lopez brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his expanded role. As the current Managing Director of VSN, a leading provider of media management and workflow solutions, Aaron will now also assume overseeing as Managing Director for two other sister companies: Woody Technologies and M&I Broadcast Services, based in France and the Netherlands respectively.  

Woody Technologies, a pioneering provider of media processing and content distribution solutions founded in 2013, is poised for further growth and innovation under Aaron’s guidance. His vast industry knowledge and strategic vision will ensure the seamless continuation of Woody’s commitment to delivering flexible and intuitive solutions to its customers.  

Meanwhile, at M&I Broadcast Services, Raymond Lamphen will continue to serve as the dedicated CEO, working closely with Aaron to further enhance the company’s position as a leading provider of cutting-edge broadcast software solutions.    

“The opportunity to lead these exceptional companies is truly an honor,” said Aaron Lopez. “We’ve already been working together for a while now, and I’m excited about the projects and synergies we’re preparing, as well as very satisfied with the team’s expertise and collaborative spirit. This is a great opportunity for us to keep driving innovation and exceeding customer expectations in the B&M industry”.  

The integration of these three software providers within Aspire Software’s Broadcast vertical represents a strategic move to consolidate expertise, foster collaboration, and maximize synergies among the companies. By leveraging the collective strengths of VSN, Woody Technologies, and M&I Broadcast Services, Aspire Software aims to enhance its offering and provide comprehensive solutions.  

With their unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, technical excellence, and continuous innovation, these companies will reinforce their market leadership and drive further growth under Aaron’s leadership.  

CABSAT 2023 took place in Dubai World Trade Centre from 16 to 18 June. As a sales representative for VSN, I attended the event to explore the latest trends and technologies relevant to our industry and meet with our customers and partners.  

CABSAT 2023 proved to be an exceptional platform for industry professionals to gather, share knowledge, and showcase cutting-edge technologies. This year’s tradeshow was marked by an obvious increase in participation, indicating a growing interest and investment in the region’s broadcasting, satellite, and digital media sectors. 

Cloud-based Solutions: Cloud technology continues to revolutionize the media industry, and this trend was prominently showcased at CABSAT. Numerous exhibitors presented cloud-based software solutions for media management, content creation, and distribution. The benefits of scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness were emphasized, catering to the evolving needs of media companies. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML were pervasive themes throughout the tradeshow. Several companies demonstrated their AI-driven tools for content analysis, metadata enrichment, automated tagging, and intelligent recommendation systems. The integration of AI and ML in media workflows is streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and enabling advanced data-driven decision-making. 

Content Creation and Virtual Production: Virtual production techniques, including virtual sets, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR), garnered significant attention at CABSAT. Innovations in real-time rendering, motion tracking, and immersive experiences were showcased, enabling content creators to produce high-quality and interactive content more efficiently. 

Over-The-Top (OTT) Platforms and Streaming Services: The rise of OTT platforms and streaming services was a key focus at the tradeshow. Exhibitors highlighted advancements in video encoding, transcoding, and delivery technologies, aiming to provide seamless and high-quality streaming experiences across devices. Personalization, content monetization, and analytics were also emphasized to help media companies enhance user engagement and optimize revenue streams. 

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and New Business Models: Exhibitors showcased solutions that not only deliver advanced functionality but also offer a favourable TCO by minimizing infrastructure costs, maintenance requirements, and operational expenses. Media companies are now placing greater importance on evaluating TCO when making technology investments, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.  

Companies not only showcased their cloud-based platforms but also software offerings available on a subscription basis, enabling media organizations to access advanced capabilities without large upfront investments. This shift aligns with the evolving needs of media companies seeking greater agility, cost predictability, and scalability.  

For VSN the rise of SaaS and subscription-based solutions is particularly significant. These models offer our clients the flexibility to access our software tools on a pay-as-you-go basis, aligning with their project-based workflows and allowing them to efficiently manage costs. Moreover, we can deliver regular updates and new features seamlessly, ensuring that our clients always have access to the latest advancements in media planning, management, production and delivery. 

CABSAT 2023 provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing me to engage with industry professionals, thought leaders, customers, and partners. I had productive discussions with broadcasters, media executives, and technology and business partners, exchanging insights and exploring potential collaborations. The tradeshow’s vibrant atmosphere facilitated the establishment of new connections and the strengthening of existing relationships, including industry associations such as IABM. 

In conclusion, my experience at CABSAT 2023 was both enlightening and inspiring. The tradeshow successfully highlighted the current trends and technologies shaping our industry, and it reaffirmed the importance of VSN’s focus on this region. Attending CABSAT provided valuable insights that will help us stay at the forefront of industry advancements, and I am confident that the knowledge gained will contribute to our future success and developing new projects in the region. 

Aitor Falcó – Sales Manager EMEA