GB Labs has announced the release of Unify Hub Generation 2, a global unified file system that allows users to optimise, adapt and secure their on-premise, cloud and remote workflows.

“The development of Unify Hub Generation 2 has drastically changed the way in which media workflows operate, by enabling a global unified file system that allows users to collaborate seamlessly from any location." Dominic Harland, CEO and CTO at GB Labs

Unify Hub has three key features to enhance workflows and is a way to seamlessly adapt to unusual ways of working in a more effective, secure, and low-cost manner, from the smallest of companies to larger multinational corporations.

These features include:

OnePath, which presents a singular file path regardless of a user's location, meaning re-linking is no longer necessary.

Centralised Access Management, which offers the ability to manage users with greater efficiency and security, with AD/LDAP support as well as primary storage controls to secure authentication for every login.

HyperAcceleration, which allows users to seamlessly cache just the blocks of data required to play portions of clips used in the timeline.

“Unify Hub Generation 2 is leading the way for the first innovation of post-pandemic hybrid workflows. We’re seeing more and more editors and digital artists back in the office, but only a few days per week on-premise, so the need for a seamless transition between on-prem and remote working is vital for efficiency.” Matt Scott, Solutions and Pre-Sales Engineer at GB Labs

The announcement follows that of their cloud storage option Nebula alongside Storj, which can work in conjunction with Unify Hub to present an elastic but true file system at a fraction of the cost of the current solutions on the market.

There will be a full in-person launch at the GB Labs stand at NAB this year with demonstrations of Unify Hub Generation 2 in full force.

Aldermaston, UK, 08 September 2022: GB Labs, innovators of powerful and intelligent storage solutions for the media and entertainment industries, has demonstrated comprehensively its technical credentials, and is now recognised as a Ross Video technology partner. The recognition came as part of a project to build a studio for Canvass Credit Union in Denver, Colorado. 

“The system architects of the new studio had specified a Ross Video Graphite all-in-one production system which includes switcher, audio, and  XPression graphic, and were keen to use our storage platform,” said Dominic Harland, CEO and CTO of GB Labs. “We shipped a FastNAS to Ross Video in Canada where it was tested by writing and reading video streams to it 24/7 for a week, never dropping a single frame. That proved to Canvass that the configuration was ideal for their needs, and the certification from Ross Video for our FastNAS and SPACE storage solutions means we can propose our products alongside Ross switchers and XPression with complete confidence.” 

"Ross Video is excited to be able to integrate GB Labs storage solutions with XPression", says Garner Millward, Product Manager, Technical for Graphics at Ross Video. "GB Labs provides a powerful storage solution which integrated into XPression with virtually no trouble at all." 

GB Labs will be at IBC2022 (RAI Amsterdam, 9 – 12 September) in a dedicated meeting room in the IABM lounge, hall 4, second floor.  
 

Ross Video will be at IBC2022 at Stand 11.B10.

IABM Meeting Room, RAI, Hall 4 Level 2, IBC 2022, Amsterdam, 9-12 September: At IBC 2022, GB Labs’ focus is on re-connecting with customers and emphasising how it can help them with the key issues facing their organisations, such as security, and business and change management. Today, broadcasters and media companies are less concerned with the underlying technology and more focused on issues that impact future growth, such as creating more content in a smarter, more efficient way. At this year’s IBC, the company will show customers how they can more effectively manage resources across multiple locations – on-premise, in the cloud and hybrid workflows. 

Visitors to IBC 2022 will hear how GB Labs solutions can deliver significant performance enhancements whilst lowering environmental impact, and how ultra-high-speed data rates support fast turnaround production environments. GB Labs will illustrate solutions that can handle even the most complex multitasking storage requirements and its deep understanding of production workflows. 

Customers will be able to speak to the GB Labs team about the company’s latest product innovations, including HyperSPACE Generation 3, the latest version of FastNAS (Generation 2), along with the new Unify Hub data management system, as well as GB Labs’ intelligent storage technology, such as Cloak DR, Mosaic, and the latest CORE.4.  

Dominic Harland, CEO and CTO, GB Labs commented: “Today, customers need solutions that give them better performance across their creative workflows so they can remain laser-focused on creating great content. They are also looking for technology partners that understand how their business works and where the bottlenecks are. As we return to IBC for the first time in three years, we believe that engaging with our customers to show them that we can best serve them by addressing their primary challenges; for us it is more about building and strengthening relationships than showing racks of equipment or product features.” 

The GB Labs team will be on hand to discuss how the new HyperSPACE Generation 3 delivers double the performance of the previous version, giving users access to the fastest data rates on the market when combined with GB Labs SPACE and SPACE+, thanks to intelligent software and hardware enhancements to the underlying HyperSPACE engine. Show attendees will be able to learn more about FastNAS Generation 2, which now delivers a 1000% boost in capability, with up to 4GBytes/sec real deliverable network performance, and the new Unify Hub platform which empowers remote production while maintaining data integrity and security, managing storage – on site or in the cloud, from GB Labs or from other vendors – to create an ultra-productive environment which is simple and fast.

Stand L246, MPTS, London, 11-12 May 2022: GB Labs, innovators of powerful and intelligent storage solutions for the media and entertainment industries, is showing its recent product launches for the first time in Europe at the Media Production & Technology Show. Leading the demonstrations will be HyperSpace Generation 3 and the latest version of FastNAS, alongside the rest of its range of content storage and management systems for on-premise, cloud and hybrid workflows. 

Generation 3 of HyperSpace, demonstrated in London immediately after its launch at NAB, delivers double the performance of the previous version, giving users access to the fastest data rates in the market, in combination with its SPACE and SPACE+ storage appliances. The addition of new, predictive capabilities brings significant efficiency boosts to the busy and fast-paced world of premium production and post. 

Also recently launched is FastNAS generation 2, which brought a 1000% speed bump for real, deliverable network performance at up to 4 Gb/s. Today’s production and post workflows typically demand effective multi-tasking storage with fast simultaneous read and write data rates, which FastNAS comfortably delivers. 

MPTS visitors will also be able to see the new Unify Hub platform in action. This software solution bridges on-premise and cloud storage – from GB Labs and other vendors – seamlessly, empowering highly productive remote production while maintaining data integrity and security. It is available as a software upgrade to any existing GB Labs installation. 

“London is of course one of the world’s leading production centres, as well as being at the heart of the rich creative environment of the UK and Europe,” said Dominic Harland, CEO and CTO of GB Labs. “Given that travel is still difficult for many, MPTS gives us a great opportunity to bring our launches, demonstrations and insights to the market. We have all been starved of contact over the last couple of years, and we are really looking forward to face-to-face exhibitions to share knowledge and experiences with our marketplace.”