Crispin Unveils Cameo and Veranda, New Software-as-a-Service Automation and MAM Solutions

Crispin Corporation, a leading supplier of master control automation and media asset management solutions has announced the availability of Cameo and Veranda, two new Software-as-a-Service products for broadcast and cable television stations. Cameo and Veranda automates and optimizes master control operations and includes all hardware, software, training and ongoing support & warranty as a fixed monthly subscription fee. A new Veranda subscription also includes onsite training and commissioning within the 48 contiguous states at no additional charge.

Cameo is a single server automation solution with a starting price of $399 per month for a single channel and $150 per month for additional channels. Veranda is a full spectrum automation solution for larger multi-channel operations and environments that can benefit from sophisticated asset management tools. For example, Veranda includes options like Crispin DTA and Crispin BXF Service that automates file-based workflows and provides a realtime interface to traffic, respectively. Veranda starts at $499 per month for the base package that includes one channel. Veranda is expandable and each additional channel may be added for $175 per month.

Whereas master control automation and media asset management solutions have typically only been sold as capital purchases, Cameo and Veranda represent an entirely new purchasing model for media companies that produce, manage, and transmit video. Similar to other Software as a Service (SaaS) products in other industries, Crispin is providing Cameo and Veranda to allow customers to utilize a master control automation and MAM solution that is dramatically lower in initial costs and is easier to operate and service than traditional systems.

Crispin will also continue to offer their solutions as an upfront purchase with a perpetual software license as previously offered and as such, Cameo and Veranda represent additions to the current product line. The decision by Crispin to add this choice by customers to either purchase or subscribe was described by Crispin President and Founder, Alan DeVaney, as an easy decision to make. “Our strength at Crispin has always been our ability to deliver on a simple promise to customers: that they would get the automation solution that they bought and we’d stick with them to make sure it worked right,” Mr. DeVaney explained. “In essence, what we have delivered in all of these years was not just a product but a true service. Cameo and Veranda represents a pure expression of that service model that’s already been working for 15 years.”

Both Cameo and Veranda have fixed monthly subscription fees, based upon the number of channels and product feature packages selected. Cameo is expandable up to 8 channels and can also be expanded to a Veranda system with no penalty. Both Cameo and Veranda require a one-time activation fee and an 18-month minimum contract. Afterwards, customers are free to continue on a month-to-month basis or renew a contract at their choice. Cameo and Veranda includes all of the necessary hardware and all hardware is fully warrantied throughout the term of the subscription. Crispin explained that including the hardware was a key element of this program since so many broadcast and cable operations struggle with the constant cycle of maintaining and upgrading hardware among so many different vendors. The complete list of all Cameo and Veranda packages and prices is available in a brochure provided by Crispin via their web site.

As with the existing product lines, Cameo and Veranda represent an extension of the best-of-breed automation and asset management solutions approach, interfacing to a customer’s preferred selection of graphics, playback, and other critical transmission, editing and storage equipment provided by other vendors. That choice to keep a single focus and expertise of interfacing to other video servers and graphics was no omission, according to Rodney Mood, Crispin Chief Operating Officer. “There’s been a lot of talk in the industry for the past few years about getting lower overall cost per channel and simpler products in the hands of master control operators. And while some in the industry have responded to that call by creating new integrated playback, graphics and automation into a single box, Cameo and Veranda actually delivers on this challenge with a different delivery approach but with proven technology,” explained Mood.

“Cameo and Veranda dramatically lowers the upfront cost, they are simpler to setup and operate, and most importantly, they are based upon a proven product and technology with hundreds of customers and channels in operation.” Mr. Mood agreed that the so-called channel-in-a-box solutions are appealing as a concept but concluded, “The bottom line is that the best-of-breed solutions out there are still operating over 95% of television stations and channels in operation today and it will continue to be for many years to come. The real question is how best-of-breed solutions can continue to utilize this mix of preferred and proven vendor solutions at a lower cost and simpler operation and maintenance. We believe Cameo and Veranda represents a viable answer to this question.”

Crispin had just recently announced an expansion of their BXF Service product. The new BXF Service provides support to WideOrbit, the popular traffic and billing system. The product provides a real time interface between traffic and Crispin automation that performs a variety of functions that dramatically improve efficiencies in television operations, including: the ability of traffic to perform live playlist editing of playlists already loaded in automation, real time As-Run that gives traffic continuous feedback of aired material, frame-accurate asset synchronization that allows traffic to generate a frame-accurate log, and more. Most products and features, including Crispin BXF Service, are available as options in the new Cameo and Veranda packages.

“I believe a lot of people will be very surprised by how affordable a superior automation and MAM solution is now that Cameo and Veranda are here,” confided Mr. DeVaney. “When you combine the strengths of a superior technology, back it up with a dedicated and experienced team like ours, and then offer it essentially risk-free to an eager audience, you end up making a lot of new friends.”

About Crispin Corporation

Crispin is a leading supplier of highly modular, highly scalable on-air master control automation and media asset management solutions.

Founded in 1997 and based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., Crispin has installed hundreds of systems throughout North America, including many public and commercial broadcasting facilities. Crispin counts many single station facilities as customers as well as several cable and network groups such NBC Network, CBS Sports, Gannett, Scripps, Journal, Raycom and over 30 PBS stations.

We back this up with our amazing Crispin4Life, a 4 Year Free Service, Support & Hardware Warranty Plan, plus unrivaled customer service, both unmatched in the industry. But most important is our commitment to personal attention and working closely with our customers to develop a highly individual, fail‐safe, broad horizon automation solution with an intuitive human touch.

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