UK News and Media Production Company ITN Moves Entire Archive to Object Matrix

Independent Television News Limited (ITN), the news and media production company, purchased an additional 2PB of MatrixStore digital content governance and object storage, from Object Matrix Ltd, in order to provide instant access to its entire archive.

Having implemented a nearline storage cache from Object Matrix earlier this year, ITN has added an additional 2PB MatrixStore cluster, consisting of six 360TB nodes, in order to migrate its archive from LTO to a platform that provides instant access to content with a low TCO. MatrixStore uses object-based storage technology to provide an integrated and automated archive platform to support multiple workflows.

“It is becoming increasingly important for us to have instant access to all our content, enabling us to reuse content or specific parts of our footage,” commented Ian Auger, head of engineering, ITN. “At the same time, we of course need to ensure continued security and protection of that content. MatrixStore ensures our content is protected, whilst still being easy to find, share, distribute, and audit be that on premise, in a co-lo or in the cloud.”

With a view to being future-proof, MatrixStore will replace existing tape archives. It has been seamlessly integrated into ITN’s existing infrastructure, meaning the team can continue to work using familiar workflows and processes. Once populated the 2PB cluster will reside in an off-site location providing a DR platform should access to content become unavailable at the Grays Inn Road location.

Additionally, with Object Matrix launching a private cloud storage service, ITN will have a route to meet a goal of embracing more cloud based technologies.

“The initial integration earlier this year was a great success and will enable ITN to become more efficient with its archive management,” stated Nick Pearce, sales and marketing director and co-founder, Object Matrix. “We are confident that moving the entire archive to MatrixStore will prove hugely beneficial for ITN in the short and long term.”