BurstPoint Takes Streaming to the Cloud
BurstPoint Networks announced the launch of a new cloud-based service that extends the content management and distribution capabilities of its BurstPoint Video Communication Platform beyond local networks.
BurstPoint Networks announced the launch of a new cloud-based service that extends the content management and distribution capabilities of its BurstPoint Video Communication Platform beyond local networks. The BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node includes a gateway appliance to the cloud service and leverages a content delivery network (CDN) to deliver on-demand video content to very large numbers of end users simultaneously, both outside the firewall and around the world, company officials said.
BurstPoint is offering the CDN services through a new partnership with Highwinds, a leader in content delivery, network, and IP services.
BurstPoint also announced both on- and off-premise mobile device support through the standard BurstPoint VCP Delivery Node and the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node, giving organizations the ability to stream MP4 videos to mobile devices, including smartphones, iPhones, iPads, and other tablets.
With the launch of the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node, customers can have a hybrid solution of network- and cloud-based video distribution that accommodates their need to manage video assets while allowing them the scalability and flexibility to grow their video network. Companies can distribute rich media content internally, add content to the cloud for large-scale outreach to audiences outside of company walls, or select a combination of both delivery methods, BurstPoint officials said.
Using the BurstPoint VCP Manager, administrators can “map” end users to either a BurstPoint VCP Delivery Node or the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node and choose and control which content to keep on the internal network and which to push to the cloud. For example, organizations can direct employees working at company headquarters to the primary BurstPoint VCP Delivery Node and direct them to video assets on the internal network, while mapping remote workers and other constituents outside the firewall to the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node, where they can view the same content via the cloud.
“What differentiates BurstPoint’s cloud-based solution from competitor offerings is the fact that the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node is not a standalone service. Rather, it is an extension of our existing end-to-end BurstPoint VCP solution, which allows customers to create, manage, distribute, and consume video content,” said Tom Racca, president and CEO of BurstPoint Networks, in a statement.
In addition, the BurstPoint VCP enables customers to leverage their previous investments in videoconferencing systems and digital signage technology by providing the ability to push on-demand video captured from VC systems to the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node for wide distribution.
“Our CDN was built to support partners that deliver valuable IT services to enterprises and organizations across a variety of industries,” said Steve Liddell, president of content delivery and network services at Highwinds, in a statement. “The combination of the BurstPoint VCP Virtual Delivery Node and Highwinds’ CDN provides customers with a powerful way to reach millions of end users anytime, anywhere.”
