MSG Networks Purchased Five Qumulo QC208 Hybrid Storage Appliances

Qumulo, Inc., in data-aware scale-out NAS, announced that MSG Networks, Inc., broadcaster of eight major New York-area sports teams, has chosen Qumulo Core for better data visibility, easier integration and a cost-effective storage system that could grow.

MSG Networks is a regional sports network with live sports and entertainment programming with two sports and entertainment networks, in addition to the live streaming and a video on demand platform.

MSG Networks’ graphics-laden digitized media devours storage capacity, and the large file sizes strain system performance every time the content is uploaded, transferred or edited in post-production. Frustrated with slow performance and lack of scalability, Raoul Edwards, director, network systems engineering and field ops, MSG Networks, was in need of a storage system that could not only keep up, but also keep data management simple.

“We needed the storage equivalent of a reliable Swiss army knife, and unfortunately our old system Isilon just wasn’t cutting it anymore,” said Edwards.

The need for speedier, more scalable storage was underscored after MSG Networks implemented video editing, high-speed transfer and media asset management systems that were changing workflows across the company. The Isilon storage was demoted to basic, ancillary storage, and MSG Networks was left scrambling to find a solution for its production systems.

MSG Networks worked with media and entertainment solutions provider CineSys-Oceana to vet multiple options, including taking a serious look at Isilon systems. One thing became clear in that search: many of these scale-out solutions were designed around a closed architecture. That limited future scalability and flexibility, as well as driving up cost threatened to put MSG Networks right back where it was in short order.

“We need to be very strategic with purchases and equipment selections because we?re not going to be able to replace it again in two years,” said Edwards. “So when we were looking at storage options, we knew we needed to get as close to a ‘future-proof’ solution as possible.“

It was then that Qumulo emerged as the contender to fill the company’s storage needs. MSG Networks purchased five of Qumulo’s QC208 hybrid storage appliances, and as the team deployed the solution, the process confirmed that Qumulo was the right choice.

“We’ve changed the way we deliver files out of house and internally to other systems, and Qumulo’s easy integration into our workflow and systems is playing a part in that,” said Edwards. “Everyone from the marketing group to our dot-com and interactive groups are relying on it. Whether the files are being sent to cable operators, the MSG on-air promotions department, or our teams’ websites, the deliverables are all passing through Qumulo.“

MSG Networks expects to continue expanding the scope of business units and functions that are interacting with the Qumulo cluster, and also looking forward to digging into one of Qumulo’s defining features:  its data-aware design.

As MSG Networks adapts and changes how it uses the new storage cluster, they plan to rely heavily on the Qumulo Care customer team for support.

“I really like the bi-weekly calls I get from Qumulo Care,” said Edwards. “That level of pro-activity just isn’t something we see from any other vendors, and it really helps us stay connected and ensure there aren’t any issues with the storage.“

“The entire Qumulo experience so far has been thoroughly refreshing,” Edwards concluded.

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