RealNetworks is to team up with IBM to deliver a product
that makes it easier for organisations to offer digital audio and
video services.
The product couples RealNetworks' new Real 10 platform with
IBM's WebSphere Digital Media Enabler, WebSphere Commerce and DB2
Content Manager, RealNetworks said. The Real 10 platform includes
RealPlayer 10, RealAudio 10, RealVideo 10, Helix DRM (digital
rights management) and Helix Universal Server. The Real 10 products
were announced earlier this week at the Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas.
RealNetworks chairman and chief executive officer Rob Glaser is
expected to announce the product partnership with IBM in a speech
at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas later today.
Additionally, the publication of application programming
interfaces will allow third-party applications, for example for
customer support and billing systems, to connect into the
RealNetworks and IBM product, according to RealNetworks.
The joint RealNetworks and IBM offering is scheduled to be
available worldwide in the first half of the year. Customers will
be able to run the system in-house or have it hosted by IBM Global
Services and RealNetworks. Pricing information was not immediately
available.
Joris Evers writes for IDG News Service