Net Insight Creates Opportunity In The New Video Landscape With Its Solutions For Service-Aware Media Networks - TMCnet

Stockholm, Sweden, Feb 29, 2012 (Thomson Reuters ONE via COMTEX) -- Net Insight's unique SAMN approach meets the call for smarter delivery of IP video so service providers can enter the OTT-value-chain and capitalize on the new media trends STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Net Insight, a leading provider of efficient and scalable transport solutions for media, IP and broadcast networks, unveils key industry insights outlined in a recent analyst whitepaper by an independent research firm. The white paper provides an overview of how service providers can capitalize on the many emerging business opportunities developing from today's changing video and media landscape. It recommends utilizing a service aware media network (SAMN) architecture to drive revenue opportunities in video production, distribution and delivery over existing IP networks.

The white paper "New Video Landscape Dynamics Require Smarter Delivery of IP Video," explores how today's new video landscape opens up opportunities for IP service providers to become part of the OTT-value chain, and this opportunity is heavily contingent upon their ability to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) demands of content owners, media and broadcast companies. The implementation of a SAMN architecture is critical to meeting the quality demands of premium services, as it provides service-centric network management that ensures service integrity is upheld throughout the delivery process and improves the performance of the IP network.

As more video traffic continues to flood networks, and the lines between traditional broadcast television and OTT video services are blurring, consumer expectations are increasing and quality will become even more of a challenge. Live content, interactivity and personalized advertising are also complicating network quality issues. Yet this challenge comes hand-in-hand with a lucrative opportunity. By leveraging a SAMN architecture, network owners have the capability to re-insert themselves into the content value chain by offering premium video contribution, delivery and distribution networks.

"The great untapped opportunity is for network owners to sell premium access to content owners that can monetize the higher QoE via subscriptions and advertising. This will drive service provider revenues and the needed infrastructure upgrades that can move our whole industry forward," says Brian Partridge, vice president of Yankee Group's Network Research group and author of the whitepaper. "In the report we detail how service-aware media networks, with the ability to look at each individual service in the network, are the first technical step in this much-needed direction." Once the SAMN architecture is in place for premium QoS and QoE, Partridge outlines how monetization opportunities for service providers are realistic and extensive. For content delivery and distribution, media-aware premium CDNs and OTT hosting services are two areas on most service provider's strategic agenda and for which a SAMN architecture is ideal and game changing. Ideas presented in the paper include creating direct relationships with content owners to create content-specific data access packages. In addition, IP network operators can build on-deck, IPTV and three-screen entertainment propositions. In these models, they can also leverage existing network footprints to cache stored content closer to the consumer to support high quality live streaming.

"At Net Insight, we have architectured our solutions to provide the technical capabilities required for service providers to monetize on the OTT-value chain," adds Per Lindgren, founder and VP, business development, Net Insight. "Customers are willing to pay for quality and that means that the right network architecture makes the new environment a good revenue opportunity for innovative service providers." The white paper "New Video Landscape Dynamics Require Smarter Delivery of IP Video," is commissioned from Yankee Group by Net Insight.

To review the whitepaper in full please visit www.netinsight.net/News/Resource-center/ For further information, please contact: Per Lindgren, vice president corporate and business development and co-founder, +46 8 685 04 00, per.lindgren@netinsight.net About Net Insight Net Insight delivers the world's most efficient and scalable transport solution for Broadcast and IP Media, Digital Terrestrial TV, Mobile TV and IPTV/CATV networks.

Net Insight products truly deliver 100 percent Quality of Service with three times improvement in utilization of bandwidth for a converged transport infrastructure. Net Insights Nimbra(TM) platform is the industry solution for video, voice and data, reducing operational costs by 50 percent and enhancing competitiveness in delivery of existing and new media services.

More than 150 world class customers run mission critical video services over Net Insight products in over 50 countries. Net Insight is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX, Stockholm. For more information, visit www.netinsight.net This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients.

The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Net Insight AB via Thomson Reuters ONE HUG#1589704 Net Insight creates opportunities in the new video landscape - http://hugin.info/130084/R/1589704/499267.pdf [ IPTV Community's Homepage ]

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Beyond Facebook: 5 Ways To Monetize Private Networks

Guest post written by Richard Davis

Richard Davis is CEO of Avectra, a provider of membership management software.

Richard Davis: Friend your peers.

Social networking is no longer just for personal connections. The business community has embraced social networking and it is constantly evolving to create new business opportunities for individuals and corporations. While the larger online communities such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+ are wildly popular, there are other online communities geared toward specific interests or demographics that can be even more valuable to business professionals. However, maximizing the potential of these private communities takes time and skill.

Private online communities such as those for industry and professional associations or for non-profit organizations provide their audiences with the exact content and professional interaction they are seeking. With a captive audience of like-minded individuals under one virtual roof, you now have an ideal situation to market goods and services that can go beyond basic annual dues or membership fees. Let’s explore leading ways private online communities can maximize their revenues through various monetization methods.

The five main ways to monetize your private online community include:

With a community of people interested in your subject matter, developing advertising specifically tailored to this audience can lead to a significant bump in sales. Advertising through social networks can be delivered through banner ads, direct messages or through messaging based on the user’s online activities.

According to eMarketer, social network advertising is expected to reach $5.54 billion this year and will grow to $10 billion by 2013. While the bulk of this money will go to Facebook, there are still ample advertising growth opportunities for other social networking sites.

Premium Content/Premium Subscription

Offering a free basic membership to your community members is a great way to build up your community. As the community grows and its members continue to interact and seek out more information or engagement, offering them fee-based premium content such as best practice case studies and whitepapers, or exclusive access to podcasts or webinars, can continue to keep your members engaged in the community and provide you with additional revenue opportunities.

Premium content which can advance members’ knowledge of their industry or profession and lead to career advancement is extremely valuable. This type of information helps make your online community relevant. Stay current with your members’ needs and you’ll keep them from looking elsewhere to meet their information needs.

If your online community targets a specific industry, it’s logical to post job listings from other job search organizations seeking candidates with the skill set your members have. Charging a fee to these job recruiters on a per-ad or retainer basis is the best way to go.

According to a recent report in Business News Daily, 80 percent of surveyed HR professionals use social network sites in their hiring process. While the majority of those surveyed cite LinkedIn as the main site they use, the report also stated that many companies are developing their own social networking sites and using them to post jobs, job training, and benefits and incentives programs.

Online communities dedicated to specific industries or professions have an advantage over more general purpose social networks because they are servicing the professionals with the specific skill set that hiring managers need. And you can tap into Linkedin’s audience by posting links to your community’s job listings on Linkedin. This strategy can help drive traffic to your community, engaging your current members and enticing prospects to consider joining your organization to access your private community.

Cross Selling/Virtual Marketing

Let’s say that you have a strong online community that has amassed a great deal of valuable information from your members (case studies, white papers, best practices, etc.). You realize this information may appeal to similar online communities (example: two regional doctors associations specializing in a specific medical practice). Marketing your content to other groups can expand your revenue stream beyond your internal membership. As in the doctor example above, one doctor’s group could sell best practice studies to other doctor groups.

By selling to other online communities, both buyers and sellers benefit from the exchange of monies and knowledge. Further, it can lead to new business relationships between them. As these cross selling relationships develop, online communities can develop marketing networks between additional similar communities that will ensure continued cross selling and virtual marketing opportunities.

Consider that an outside party offers goods and services that would be desirable to your community members. By offering to facilitate the selling and marketing of those goods to your members, you can collect either an upfront fee or a per transaction fee.  A social buyers guide for your industry (something like Yelp for your vertical market) is a niche offering that many buyers and sellers would find attractive.

As your community continues to grow, its online reputation will attract outside merchants who wish to sell their goods to your community.

By following all the previous steps in this article, online communities will uncover tried-and- true ways to maximize the monetary opportunities and create new revenue streams.

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Opportunities and networks that come with an MBA - Financial Times

If 2011 was described as “twenty-heaven” then I proclaim 2012 to be “twenty-self”. This is the year for big change and big opportunities and as always an MBA can open these doors.

We have returned to class three nights a week after more than six weeks off. The break was a good one, allowing us to reconnect with family and friends and spend quality time with them over the festive season.

I must confess that there were times I did not know what to do and was looking for things to keep me busy given that I had gone from 18-hour working days to 12-hour play days. And by mid-January I started getting excited seeing all the “back to school” adverts and knowing that I too was going back to school.

A couple of days in and I welcome the bags under the eyes, late nights, long to-do lists and mental stimulation. This term we are focusing on marketing management and business finance.

I had a good chuckle to myself reading the course outlines where marketing is all about the grey and finance is all about the black and white. I am fortunate enough that my background has allowed me to interact with both subject matters, but in our class we have definite “left brainers” and “right brainers”.

So far, marketing management has brought interesting insights from the accountants and financial directors and how they look for quantifiable measures to justify the marketing budget. I am in marketing and I too look for those measures which in turn brought on a great brainstorm of how does one measure the stakeholder value that marketing creates. I wonder when I will ever again get the opportunity to brainstorm in a forum with such diverse people.

The element I have missed the most from MBA programme is the networking. We have changed syndicate groups and I elected to be with people in my class that I know less well. I admire their structure, knowledge, silent determination to be successful and the stress-free way in which they carry themselves. I believe that learning from them will broaden my horizons, both in a personal and professional capacity.

During our tea break, I was introduced to the modular MBA part-time students who also started their second year this week. Again, the networking opportunities are endless. We are continuously being exposed to elite individuals with business minds, social skills and a passion to make their mark in the world.

If you are reading this and thinking of doing an MBA, in a heartbeat I would say, just do it. Don’t worry about the time and the money – those things will sort themselves out. The investment in you is what matters. If you are wondering what the quantifiable measures for this decision are – the education, confidence, leadership skills, business savvy, networks and opportunities you acquire will far outweigh the cost of doing such a programme. You would be creating your own value in your life.

It is 2012 and whether or not the Mayans are right, I say live as if the world is going to end on 21 December 2012. Grab every opportunity and make your dreams come true. I know that I am through my MBA.

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