Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1151096
STORAGE www.postmagazine.com 32 POST JULY/AUG 2019 FACILIS SHIPS NEXT GEN HUB SHARED STORAGE SYSTEM HUDSON, MA — Facilis (www.facilis.com) is now shipping its new HUB Shared Storage System. Built as an entirely new platform, Facilis HUB represents the evolution of the Facilis Shared File System with the block-level virtualization and multi-connectivity performance required for demanding media production work- flows. Additionally, version 7.2 of the Facilis system software and FastTracker 3.0 is now available and included in all HUB systems. New for version 7.2, Facilis Object Cloud virtualizes Cloud & LTO storage and into a cache volume on the server, available on the client desktops through the Facilis Shared File System. Additionally, there's support for the latest version of Facilis FastTracker 3.0, the Facilis Linux Client is now supported on Linux Kernel 5.0.x, an improved Web Console UI with dark mode, more bulk actions, storage tab and more and a simplified server upgrade featuring a new one click, one reboot, server installer. New features to FastTracker 3.0 include a new Client Interface with FastTracker Desktop Browse window, featuring a modern Web-based inter- face; improved proxy quality options, per-catalog proxy presets, and proxy on demand; unlimited Connected Users; the ability to add and edit metadata now in the Adobe Panel; quick and intuitive Keyword/Note Tagging; the launch of full resolution Source Material from the Adobe Panel and Desktop Browse; CatDV Integration with FastTracker alerts when new assets are indexed and a Volume Search Filter where records can now be browsed by specific indexed volume. Facilis FastTracker is available for any Facilis customer with a current support contract, and now offers unlimited seat count. FILMS AT 59 INSTALLS PIXIT MEDIA'S PIXSTOR FOR 4K CONTENT HIGH WYCOMBE, UK — UK post house Films at 59 (www.filmsat59.com) has installed a PixStor scalable storage platform from Pixit Media (www.pixitme dia.com) to support its 4K high-end grading and finishing work. Founded in 1990, Films at 59 is a pre and post production house, with sites in England's Bristol and Cardiff and collaborative working relationships world- wide in high-end broadcast and factual entertainment and natural history. With a growing international client list including Netflix, the BBC and National Geographic and producing 4K programming such as Our Planet (Netflix) and Dynasties (BBC One), Films at 59 needed to replace its legacy SAN as it could no longer deliver the performance, or the reliability, required to keep up with increasing demands. "We were impressed by both the PixStor solution and the team's technical expertise and approach," says Stuart Dyer, Films at 59's operations manag- er. "We visited the Pixit Lab and during our discussion on future workflow requirements they were able to clearly demonstrate guaranteed performance at every possible angle, along with intelligent automated tools to help us streamline our pipeline. We really liked their approach; they provided a docu- mented and data-led consultation that truly addressed our workflow chal- lenges head-on." The studio's chosen system had to reliably support its suites to cope with the increase in 4K workflows and provide scalability to keep up with future demands, both in terms of volume of work and a potential shift to 8K finish- ing. Pixit Media delivered a complete solution for Films at 59's Production Media Services Central Storage system, with a PixStor integrated with best- of-breed Dell hardware and Mellanox networking to meet the Post house's specific requirements. The PixStor system currently has six workstations attached to it: two Autodesk Flames, two FilmLight Baselights and two Assist systems, with the capacity to add further workstations. It connects Films at 59's Avid network, Storage DNA archive system and Object Matrix nearline storage together. Dyer adds, "It's the perfect match for our needs now and can easily scale up and scale out to allow us to grow the capacity and performance as we require it."