From lens to screen and everything in-between: Mastering the media supply chain by embracing service-oriented architectural approaches

Abstract

Rapid technological developments in the media space are affecting not only the type of content being created, but also how it is delivered, to what kind of devices, and the type of monetisation gateway under which the content may fall. This is happening against the backdrop of significant mergers and acquisitions, as well as the entrance of a bevy of new players. This constantly shifting hyper-heterogeneous media landscape calls for a top-down, comprehensive approach that borrows from best practices in supply chain management. To accomplish this, media must look to other industries and adopt similar approaches to system management and integration. These include adhering to the principles of service-oriented architecture (SOA), and adopting specific technologies to enable this approach, including middleware integration and automation platforms such as enterprise service bus (ESB). This paper describes the supply chain challenges, how adopting SOA and related technologies can solve them, and how this will help meet the challenges that will undoubtedly arise in the coming years.