Explore the video content in your FileNet ECM (Enterprise Content Management) solution in new ways through this integration with IBM Watson Media. Introduced with version 5.5.4 of FileNet, enterprises can now leverage comprehensive video processes that unlock additional functionality. This includes the ability to stream videos from FileNet, accessing video content faster and with more flexibility. End users also benefit from AI-driven processes, generating automatic closed captions and powering deep video search features. This technology can be used to get the right content in front of the right viewer across a wide range of use cases, from watching your CEO’s virtual town hall to re-watching footage before sending a maintenance truck or approving an insurance claim.
If you are already a FileNet user and interested in testing out this integration, sign up for a free trial to start leveraging this technology. Note that this special trial has to be started before June 30th and you must be a current FileNet customer to take advantage of this.
Video streaming
Rather than utilize progressive downloading, video material on FileNet is streamed through this integration. The primary advantage is flexibility in how the content is viewed. For example, if a viewer is only really interested in the last ten minutes of a video they would normally have to download the full asset and wait until they can view this part. However, with steaming, the viewer could select this moment from the start and have the content play from there.
Support virtually any device
As part of the content preparation process, transcoding is applied. This is done to make the content accessible across a wide range of devices. This process also creates different versions of the video, broken up by resolution and bitrates. So a high definition version might be available alongside a standard definition version, which would be supported by more connection speeds. A major benefit of this is also its use for adaptive bitrates.
Adaptive bitrates
If the adaptive bitrate process is unfamiliar, this utilizes different combinations of video bitrates and image resolutions to optimize the end user experience based on their device and connection speed.
An example of this would be if a viewer is trying to access content using a fast connection they’ll enjoy the high definition version that is served to them automatically. However, if the viewer has a slow connection then a lower quality version will be served to them. The advantage, especially in contrast to downloading, is that the person with a slower connection is still able to quickly access the content. Furthermore, this process can adapt based on the connection speed, which is where the adaptive bitrate name comes from. This means that if a user’s connection degrades while watching the video quality will adjust to match what their current connection speed is capable of.
Video format support
Automatic transcoding brings with it a number of advantages, another is increased video file format support. Thanks to this process, the following video formats are supported through this integration:
- mkv
- mp4
- mov
- flv
- avi
- wmv
- mpeg2
Speech-to-text
While streaming and video delivery is one advantage, another exists through the utilization of artificial intelligence.
By using the IBM Watson AI, available video content will be analyzed. This process is used to convert spoken words in the video into text. That text is then used in two different ways: content discovery and caption generation.
AI-driven video search
Once IBM Watson has created a transcript for the video, AI-driven discovery is made possible. This is achieved through being able to type in keywords into the video player and be returned relevant moments, down to the second.
These are presented to the viewer as phrase results, with the ability to click and jump to this moment in the video. Thanks to the streaming process, the content will then load from this point. This allows the viewer to quickly obtain precise information from video assets stored through FileNet, without having to watch the entire video.
Closed caption generation
Beyond fueling content discovery, the IBM Watson speech-to-text process also automates closed caption generation. This places closed captions on video assets based on what was spoken in the content. Viewer can choose to activate or deactivate the closed captions at any time, with this being toggleable in the video player.
Content delivery
Through the integration, viewers can tap into a robust delivery infrastructure. This includes using IBM’s own CDN (Content Delivery Network) alongside a host of third party CDNs. The goal is to speed up delivery, placing servers closer to the viewer, and to give an optimal end user experience. The latter is achieved through a software defined process that involves seamless switching between sources. This is done to optimize viewing, switching when buffering occurs with the goal of trying to mitigate this.
In addition, ECDN (Enterprise Content Delivery Network) instances can be added for delivery. These are virtual edge servers that can be installed on location at an enterprise, caching the video assets for improved delivery and reduced impact on local networks.
Analytics
Metrics related to use are also available. This can include aspects as simple as how many people accessed content within a time period. Besides overall usage, this can also determine if particular assets are most accessed, to make more informative decisions. It can also show completion rates, breaking it out if content is frequently accessed but hardly watched versus other assets that might be less frequently accessed but watched for longer.
This tracking can get much more granular, though. It can also track down to the individual user level, showcasing how many videos and which ones were watched by a particular individual within a time frame. This is done through the credentials used to access, tied back to the email address associated with the login for individual viewer tracking.
Summary
Integrating IBM’s video streaming technology, enhanced by IBM Watson, opens many possibilities for video content. Improving access and enriching material, the integration expands the functionality of video material through FileNet.
To learn more about this integration as it relates to FileNet, please check out this Digital Business Automation blog.
Want to learn even more about these features and better understand how the integration works? Schedule a demo with us.