ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some topics around workflow-based systems and the difference between them and traditional hardwired facilities. It introduces the concepts in the Joint Task Force on Networked Media (JT-NM) Reference Architecture around capabilities, the fundamental frameworks of identity, timing, discovery and registration, and connection management. Large professional media companies have invested millions of dollars, collectively, in modeling their workflows. The JT-NM began its work by collecting over 150 business-driven user stories regarding the functions and capabilities required in professional media networks. Virtualization is a concept that could revolutionize the broadcast industry, especially when coupled with JT-NM capabilities and the fundamental frameworks. Broadcast engineers should strive to understand these basic principles, and work toward implementing them in future facility designs. One advantage of well-designed workflow systems is that they anticipate, from the beginning, that a workflow may enter an error state at particular points.
