Ramp Launches Multicast Solution Powered by Wowza Media Systems

Ramp, a provider of video management and delivery solutions for the enterprise, has introduced an end-to-end solution for streaming HTML5 multicast video across the enterprise. The solution uses technology from Wowza Media Systems, a software and cloud-based services provider.

The new solution addresses two pressing issues in the market, said Stephen Blankenship, vice president of product and operations at Ramp. As Microsoft moves forward with end-of-life on support for certain legacy technologies for multicasting, organizations are evaluating alternative solutions to broadcast live video efficiently across wide area networks (WANs), he noted. In addition, Blankenship pointed out, many organizations are also trying to de-emphasize Flash in their environments due concerns about security vulnerabilities.

Multicast streams high-volume live video while controlling network traffic, and HTML5 is a standard for viewing video securely. By combining the approaches, Ramp says it is providing a simplified approach to enable organizations to continue multicast video while moving to HTML5 video delivery.

Ramp’s AltitudeCDN Multicast+ combines with Wowza Streaming Engine server software to deliver multicast video using HTML5 from the video source to any browser that supports HTML5, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.

Any enterprises that had previously been using legacy Microsoft multicasting, or are seeking to get away from Flash in their environments, as well as companies that want to select a “future-proofed” approach for streaming video and audio will benefit from the combined solution, said Blankenship. Ramp AltitudeCDN Multicast+ with Wowza Streaming Engine is available from Ramp.

Separately, in early April, Ramp announced the introduction of AltitudeCDN OmniCache, a standards-based solution for distributing live and on-demand video webcasts.

OmniCache extends the capabilities of Ramp AltitudeCDN, enabling delivery of high-quality video broadcasts over bandwidth-constrained enterprise networks without the need for upgrades, the company says. AltitudeCDN OmniCache supports a range of sources, including Azure Media Services, Brightcove, and Microsoft Office Video.  In addition, said Blankenship, it supports both live and on-demand video, adding to the Ramp portfolio, and resulting in a complete CDN (enterprise content delivery network) offering for the enterprise.