Canto has launched an add-on product for its Cumulus digital asset management (DAM) software, RoboFlow, that provides a "watch folder" auto-cataloging and catalog synchronisation, and scriptable asset and metadata processing.

"Canto RoboFlow was built for Canto Cumulus, so the functionality it adds is a perfect complement to the automation capabilities built in to Cumulus," said Carsten Hesse, Cumulus product manager.

Among the product features is the ability to synchronise Cumulus catalogs with file folders and ftp sites. This enables users to work with files directly, without needing to manually update Cumulus or even have Cumulus accounts. Likewise, when asset records are renamed, moved or deleted from inside Cumulus, RoboFlow updates their corresponding folders accordingly.

"Users who work in InDesign, PowerPoint or other production applications no longer need to worry whether a project's associated files will make it into Cumulus," explained Canto Marketing Director, David Diamond. "RoboFlow watches production folders, so referenced or placed files won't get left behind when a project is archived."

RoboFlow can be configured to ignore certain file types or specific folders, ensuring Cumulus catalogs remain clutter free. In addition, file naming conventions can be used to direct RoboFlow on the fly.

This enables users to add 'temp' or other flags to the names of files that aren't ready to be cataloged. RoboFlow uses file names to determine file destinations and processing options too, so .mov files can always be added to a video catalog, and the files of one customer can be kept out of the catalog of another.

RoboFlow also manages scheduled metadata and asset imports and exports. External systems can refresh metadata inside Cumulus, and Cumulus can export assets to external software, like content management systems. Specific output formats, file names and locations can be defined.

Users can be sent customisable status updates at any production stage. Links to relevant assets are included, which helps keep production and approval workflows in motion.

More info: http://www.databasics.com.au/products/canto/cumulus_options.html
and http://canto.com/en/products/marketplace/canto/roboflow.php

DataBasics promoted to Canto Platinum Status

Canto has promoted Australian distributor DataBasics to Platinum status following record-breaking sales figures for 2011.

Canto has announced that last year was one of the biggest sales years ever for - 2011 revenue was the highest in the company' s 22-year history - see
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/canto-partners-break-records-2011-141100614.html

Part of that success was DataBasics, whose contribution resulted in the promotion of the company to Canto Certified Distributor Platinum, the highest tier in the Canto Partner Program. No other company has ever achieved the rank!

Ricky Patten, Director DataBasics says: "There may be a financial crisis for some... but for DataBasics and the Canto Cumulus digital asset management solution, 2011 was a mega year with sales exceeding all expectations. DataBasics generated the largest volume of Cumulus sales for any of Canto's "rest of world" distributors, meaning outside of their native German speaking regions and the USA. For this DataBasics received the highest accolade in being appointed Platinum Distributor status!"

Canto Cumulus DAM system is leading technology used by government, corporate and private companies world wide to manage their valuable digital assets and create image libraries to publish content to the world. DataBasics are Canto's distributor for Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia and Oceania. Based in sunny Queensland DataBasics has been one of Canto's leading partners for more than 15 years.

"I have not enlisted the services of a survey company to work out who is the largest distributor of DAM solutions in our region ... but it would be hard to imagine that anyone else gets even close to the volume of Cumulus business we are supplying," says Patten.

Major new organisations implementing Cumulus in 2011 from Australia included SA Dept of Environment and Natural Resources, Qld University of Technology, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Luna Park Sydney...  along with Brand Developers from New Zealand and Gitanjali Gems from India. This comprises a very short list of DataBasics customer base.

"What's really great about working with Canto is that they are ahead of the marketplace by as much to two to three years. This allows us to be implementing solutions and opening up new avenues of business on a continual basis." relates Patten.

"The mega year for DataBasics is a culmination of building up more and better staff to manage and service the ever increasing needs of our customers, and extending our relationships with resellers and technology partners alike. I think this is only just a beginning - 2012 has already started in a big way for us!"