IBM introduces IBM Management Complexity Factor for Media, the first media-industry specific methodology and toolset designed to dramatically improve digital media storage environments.

Complementing IBM's existing leadership in storage and data services, storage hardware and software solutions for media and entertainment clients, IBM MCF for Media's patent-pending methodology performs an evaluation and produces a custom plan to improve a media firm's fast-growing storage environment -- from hardware and software to processes and standards. Demonstrated for the first time at NAB2008, IBM developed MCF for Media following its October 2007 acquisition of NovusCG's storage service assets and field-proven media industry best practices.

"Media companies are facing a double-edged sword with the exponential rise in digital media storage needs, coupled with concerns about optimizing storage to be more efficient," said Steve Canepa, vice president of Media and Entertainment, IBM. "By quickly and cost-effectively analyzing the interconnected IT and storage environments that increasingly comprise media operations, MCF for Media helps our clients identify opportunities for improvement and align their IT and business strategies."

By providing clients with improved access to media content and a roadmap to manage its exponential growth, IBM MCF for Media is uniquely positioned to help media clients work faster and smarter and better align their content storage environment to their lines of business. For example, MCF for Media's analysis can produce an actionable plan to quickly reduce the time it takes to find content and make decisions about using particular video clips on demand. MCF for Media is latest example of IBM's continuing strategy to provide standardized services which deliver high value and more predictable business results to clients.

It leverages the acquisition of Novus' standards-driven, asset-based delivery model, proprietary tools, formalized methodologies and multi-vendor skills. The successful integration of Novus into IBM Global Technology Services supports both IBM's acquisition strategy and capital allocation model, and will contribute to the achievement of the company's objective for earnings-per-share growth through 2010.

IBM Corp.