System specifications

BrandDirector is built in the Microsoft .NET framework, uses a SQL 2005 database and accommodates a one- or two-tier deployment architecture. The application essentially consists of five components:

1. The BrandDirector .NET application
2. The database
3. Digital assets in the Digital Asset Library
4. A disaster recovery component
5. A network security component

Hardware requirements

A minimum deployment of BrandDirector requires a modem, 2GB of RAM and sufficient disk space. However, most large retailers starting with a departmental-size implementation with hardware redundancy would require the following:

Application/Web server

2U rack
2 x Intel Xeon 3.0GHz processor
4GB system memory
2 x 146GB SAS hard drive (3.5-inch, 15 000rpm)
Redundant power supply
Windows 2003 R2 Standard
Symantec Backup Exec 10d Remote Agent
146GB SAS hard drive (3.5-inch, 10 000rpm)

Database server (including disaster recovery)

5U rack
2 x Intel Xeon 3.0GHz processor
8GB system memory (4 x 2GB)
2 x 146GB SAS hard drive (3.5-inch, 15 000rpm)
RAID 1 hard drive, PERC 5I controller 2
200GB internal tape drive with internal 39320A SCSI controller
5 x TBU media cartridges
Tape cleaning cartridge
Redundant power supply
Windows 2003 R2 Standard Server 5 CAL (12GB partition)
Symantec Backup Exec 10d Server and Workgroup Protection
146GB SAS hard drive (3.5-inch, 10 000rpm)

Digital asset store

DELL PV220S Power Vault rack-mounted SCSI enclosure (2-14 HDD capacity)
4 x 500GB SCSI Ultra320 hard drive (10 000rpm, 1 in 80 pin)
Ultra4 single-enclosure management module (jointed bus, non-redundant)
Dual redundant power supplies
2m external VHDCI to SCSI cable – R
PERC4e/DC U320 RAID controller

Network security

Cisco PIX or Firewall of choice

Software Licenses Required

Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (SP1 or above)
Microsoft IIS6, SQL Server 2005, Rea Converter Pro v3.4, FTP Gene6 server (optional)

Technical Features

• File types: From standard graphic image files, JPG, GIF, BMP, to advanced graphic formats, AI, PSD, EPS, PDF, to audio-visual files, MPG, AVI, WMV, QT, the library has the ability to store any format of file.
• Metadata capture (tagging): Number of user-friendly methods available: drop-down lists, multi-select tree-like taxonomy, free-form text boxes for longer descriptions, key-words lists (these are parsed and each work automatically inserted into the dictionary), unique reference number, date issued and modified, live and expiry dates, and comments fields.
• Metadata model configuration: Fully configurable brand structure and media types available.
• BI Modeling: Processes can be defined iteratively with increasing complexity as required, grouped by project type, assigned roles and responsibilities, automatically parsed for conflicts or errors.
• Simple and Advanced Search: Mature metadata search engine capability.
• Preview assets: Thumbnails of PDF, image and document files can be viewed in intermediate preview sizes, enabling users to view large image files without the need for unnecessary downloads.
• Versioning: Version numbers are automatically incremented whenever an approval decision is captured.
• Multiple approvals: Managed via an Approval List page, which contains the date started, user, date completed, version, and final decision of approvals.
• File history: Brand identity is managed via detailed history of the primary asset, including the version history of each component, who and when it was last changed.
• Audits: A secure audit log captures key system transactions, including time, date, user, transaction and user interface source.
• Security: Permissions can be set on a per-group or role basis to define access for the digital library. Web connections are SSL-encrypted if required.
• On-demand re-purposing: Graphical assets can be reformatted, resized and quality tweaked using Rea Converter.
• POS/Artwork Templates: Includes a library of templates for managing posters, hanging posters, spinners, front-of-store signage etc., including the digital artwork file alongside information about the printed substrate.
• FTP upload: For larger files, users can bulk upload files via secure and partitioned FTP service.
• Skinning: BrandDirector can be skinned to take on your branding, look and feel.