The promise of the cloud was to alleviate various operational and cost-related challenges. However, the reality has proven to be more complex. This has led to a new trend of shifting back to on-premises technology, and Jet-Stream’s MaelStrom Deep Edge is at the forefront of this movement. Let’s take a closer look at this innovative solution.

The Generic Cloud’s Unmet Promises

Initially, cloud computing was hailed for its potential to reduce outages, operational headaches, infrastructure costs, and IT staffing needs. However, several issues have surfaced:

  • Outages and Performance Issues: Clouds are not immune to outages, leaving users with little control over these situations.
  • Operational Complexity: Managing services in the cloud often does not simplify operations as expected.
  • Rising Infrastructure Costs: For some, cloud infrastructure costs have exceeded those of operating their own setups.
  • Long-term Stability Concerns: Instances like the discontinuation of Microsoft Azure Media Services have raised doubts about relying on a single cloud vendor for critical services.

The Shift to On-Premises: MaelStrom Deep Edge

Addressing these concerns, many organizations are reconsidering on-premises solutions. MaelStrom Deep Edge by Jet-Stream offers a unique approach:

  • Unified Software Stack: It combines transcoding, packaging, origin, and edge services in a single software solution, eliminating the need for multiple standalone services.
  • Cloud Technology Foundations: Despite being an on-prem solution, MaelStrom Deep Edge is built on modern cloud technology like Kubernetes and Containers. This ensures process isolation, auto-management, load balancing, and auto-recovery, enhancing uptime.
  • Scalability and Load Balancing: Stacking multiple servers creates a scalable, load-balanced, and efficient cloud-like environment.
  • Hardware Efficiency: Compatibility with universal Intel and ARM hardware, alongside support for hardware acceleration cards, allows significant reductions in physical and energy footprints.
  • Ease of Use: The system boasts a user-friendly web interface for channel creation, transcoding profile customization, previews, testing, and detailed monitoring of loads and audience metrics.
  • API Integration: Its modern API stack facilitates easy configuration and integration with external DRM, origins, and CDNs.

Operational and Cost Advantages

MaelStrom Deep Edge brings numerous benefits:

  • Reduced Staffing Load and Costs: Designed for minimal intervention, its robust architecture significantly cuts down on staffing requirements.
  • CAPEX and OPEX Efficiency: Competitively priced, the solution achieves substantial operational savings through automation, smaller physical size, and energy efficiency compared to traditional CPU encoders.

Conclusion

MaelStrom Deep Edge by Jet-Stream represents a paradigm shift, combining the best of modern cloud technology with the control and reliability of on-premises solutions. It addresses the shortcomings of cloud services while retaining their advanced capabilities, offering a balanced approach for organizations seeking to manage mission-critical services effectively. This innovation is not just a technological advancement; it’s a strategic solution for businesses navigating the complexities of digital infrastructure.

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