Santa Monica, CA—Oct 30, 2001
Avica Technology Gears Up for Large Scale Digital Cinema Deployment
Avica to deploy the FilmStoreTM Digital Cinema Platform on Dell's industrial-strength servers
Avica Technology Corporation, a leading developer and provider of Digital Cinema solutions, will utilize Dell hardware to meet worldwide demand for Digital Cinema, it was announced today by Avica President and CEO Andrew Maltz. Dell will provide Avica with its highly reliable server hardware tailored specifically to meet the requirements of the Avica FilmStore Digital Cinema Platform and be distributed to theaters around the globe.
"This relationship addresses key issues related to the deployment of a viable Digital Cinema playback solution, such as the ability to meet ramp-up demands, the cost of converting to the new technology and the reliability of the product once installed," said Maltz. "With Dell's global presence and ability to manufacture highly reliable industrial servers in large quantities, Avica is ready and able to meet the growing demand for Digital Cinema systems worldwide."
First deployed in early 2001, the Avica FilmStore is currently the only theater player based on an open system architecture designed specifically for Digital Cinema applications. Avica's "Platform for Digital Cinema" integrates advanced software technologies and intuitive user interfaces for theater management applications. It also employs a modular "plug-in" approach designed to accommodate evolving industry standards for compression, encryption and content distribution.
"The Avica FilmStore platform is a good extension for Dell's direct model, allowing us to penetrate a market that we otherwise would not reach," said David Miller, Director of Industry Solutions Group at Dell.
The FilmStore's hardware abstraction layer makes it uniquely adaptable to different server configurations and operating environments. Avica selected Dell servers because they are specifically designed for commercial applications that demand high reliability; with features including redundant power-supplies, fully redundant hard disk storage with hot-swappable spares, locking and tamper-resistant enclosures and durable construction designed for rackmount installation. Avica will also utilize Dell's global support network, giving customers access to local technicians, spare parts and, in many cases, four-hour standard field service response times.
"We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with the world's leading computer systems company," Maltz said. "Avica's products will benefit by leveraging Dell's world-class manufacturing capabilities and early access to the latest computing technologies."
