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Southpaw Technology
http://www.southpawtech.com

Profile Index

    Vendor Details

    Contact Name
    Mary Jane Mundell
    Company Profile
    Southpaw Technology is the commercial company behind the ever expanding and open source TACTIC™ web framework.

    Southpaw offers proprietary products and global support for TACTIC. All Southpaw Solutions and Applications utilize the core functionality of TACTIC.

    TACTIC is unique in the market in that it offers a way to handle, manage and secure large amounts of data and the workflow associated with the creation, distribution, protection and monetization of these corporate assets across a large global enterprise.

    TACTIC applications are being used across thousands of companies and organizations to create everything from digital asset management (DAM) systems, to order fulfillment systems, to production and project management (PM) systems. Customers include General Dynamics, Tegna, Adidas, Mayo Clinic, Nissan, Procter and Gamble, Lockheed Martin, Viacom, Bell Helicopter and many others. For more information, please visit https://www.southpawtech.com.

    Contact Telephone
    416-651-4729
    Contact Email
    maryjane@southpawtech.com
    Company Website
    http://www.southpawtech.com
    Years Trading
    12
    Company Turnover
    This is the actual turnover of the vendor in US Dollars.
    8000000
    Office Locations
    • Toronto, Canada
    • Los Angeles, CA
    Product Name
    TACTIC
    Latest Version Number
    4.4
    Date Of Last Release
    05/02/2016
    Documentation URL
    http://community.southpawtech.com/tactic-content
    User group URL
    http://community.southpawtech.com/forum
    Online trial link
    http://community.southpawtech.com/get-started
    Trial download or sandbox link
    http://community.southpawtech.com/downloads
    Company LinkedIn URL
    http://www.linkedin.com/company/2381508?trk=tyah
    Company Facebook URL
    https://www.facebook.com/southpawtechnology
    Clients & Customers
    • TEGNA
    • Viacom
    • Blohm and Voss
    • Microsoft
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Lockheed Martin
    • Bell Media
    • Procter & Gamble
    • Bell Helicopter
    • Turner Broadcasting
    • Astral Media
    • Phillips Electronics
    • Technicolor
    Partner Network
    If the vendor operates through a sales channel they may use intermediaries who have regional focus or additional specialisms in a given vertical market.
    • No
    Partner Network Notes
    TACTIC and Microsoft have teamed up to deliver powerful Workflow Management in the Azure Cloud. Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines offer the scalability and capacity to meet the demands of any Enterprise workflow management solution. Microsoft Azure is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables you to quickly build, deploy, scale, and manage applications across a global network of Microsoft data centers. You can build applications using multiple languages, tools, and frameworks.

    South

    Licensing

    Licensing Model
    This refers to the type of licence the DAM system software is supplied under. Proprietary means that the developer restricts access to the source code (the instructions used to generate the software). Open source means that the developer provides full access to the code so you can modify it yourself. Split model is hybrid and means they may offer both options with some restrictions removed (or added) depending on the model chosen. If split is selected, it is advisable to verify the differences with the vendor.
    • Open Source
    Licence Notes
    TACTIC is available to companies under the Eclipse Public License, an OSI (Open Source Initiative) approved open source license. For companies, institutions and organizations that prefer or require commercial licenses, Southpaw offers a commercial license for TACTIC.

    Open Source OSI Licence Used
    If the vendor has indicated they offer an open source or split model licence (i.e. both open source and commercial options) then for the open source element, they should be able to provide an OSI (Open Source Initiative) approved licence. If one is not specified, their product may not be genuinely open source.
    Eclipse Public License - v 1.0
    Use of Open Source Components
    Many DAM systems use freely available open source components to deliver key functionality. The products themselves may not be open source, however. This question will help to identify to what extent they are open source.
    • Many open source components used and core product is offered under a split commercial/OSI approved licence
    Open Source Component Usage Notes
    CherryPy, Apache, Postgres, SQLite, Python are used in the TACTIC platform.

    Hosting

    Software Delivery Methods
    • Hybrid

    Technology

    Client
    Client refers to the type of hardware or software device that can be used to access or control the DAM system.
    • Web client
    • Desktop client
    • iOS mobile app
    • Android mobile app
    Client Notes
    Professional Services

    The Southpaw Professional Services team is available for onsite and offsite work anywhere in the world. We’re a partner that supports your workflow optimization from beginning to end, delivering informed advice and expertise of a vast range of topics, including workflow, workflow analysis, best practices, data management and custom engineering. Southpaw’s Professional Services team is available to handle any TACTIC implementation or customization regardless of comple

    Server Operating Systems supported
    This only applies for installed or hybrid DAM systems and refers to what types of OS they can be run on. This question is less relevant for DAM systems where a third party will be hosting it for you.
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Mac OSX
    Server Operating System Notes
    Installations are typically Windows, Linux and OSX, but TACTIC has been known to run on any operating system supported by Python.

    Web Server
    The type of web server software that the DAM system can operate with. Not all DAM systems use a web server and for pure SaaS products the question is irrelevant. If you either want SaaS or non-web DAM systems, do not choose an option.
    • Apache
    • IIS
    • Other
    Web Server Notes
    TACTIC itself uses an internal web server and communicates with other web servers as a load-balanced reverse proxy. In other words, TACTIC is capable of running on any web server supporting reverse proxies.

    Software Development Technologies Used
    This means the programming language or development technology used to implement the DAM system. This question is more important for open source software or if you have IT policy restrictions that require you to use (or not use) some technologies. It may not be relevant if you require a hosted DAM and never intend to host the system in-house.
    • Java/J2EE
    • .NET
    • Python
    • Other
    Server Technology Notes
    The TACTIC API has implementations in Java, .Net, Python and JavaScript.

    Database Technology
    The Database that the DAM system uses. All DAM systems require some kind of storage for asset metadata and they are usually based on an existing technology - but that may not always be a conventional database. If the DAM will be hosted by someone else (e.g. SaaS/Cloud) this question may not be relevant.
    • NoSQL
    • SQL Server
    • Postgres
    • Oracle
    • MySQL
    Database Notes
    TACTIC also supports SQLite and MongoDB

    Search Technologies
    This refers to third party search components that the vendor uses to provide the text search features (and sometimes other related search functions).
    • Custom (developed in-house)
    Search Technologies Notes
    Solr has been used by third-party clients in tandem with TACTIC's internal search technologies.

    Service Oriented Architecture
    Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) means the vendor's product uses a modular architecture where each core DAM function is delivered as a service which can be separated out independently from other functions. It is important for large-scale Digital Asset Management implementations or more complex integration requirements.
    • Yes
    Unique SOA Services
    If the vendor uses a Service Oriented Architecture, they should be able to identify a number of unique services that are isolated from each other. Note there is overlap between with question and the one about scalable asset processing. Some vendors do not have an SOA but do offer large scale asset processing capabilities.
    • Metadata
    • Storage
    • Asset Media Processing
    • User Authentication
    • Workflow
    • Other
    SOA Other Services
    • Business Process Management
    • Digital Asset Library
    • Business Intelligence
    • Data Ingestion
    • aSync
    Service Oriented Architecture Notes
    With the client API, one can use TACTIC as a service to retrieve various kinds of information in the system, set the status of tasks to push the workflow of an asset forward, or ingest new files or directories as new assets.

    Search

    Search Features
    This describes the search strategies that can be used to find assets. If you do not understand any of them, leave the options de-selected. Most DAM systems should support at least keyword search at a minimum.
    • Keyword
    • Folders
    • Filters
    • Faceted Search
    • Linked Asset Search
    Search Notes
    Full text search in Postgres is supported thru the Keywords search UI.

    Index/Search Text Content Of Documents
    Some DAM systems can search the text content of document assets and that might be important for your DAM solution.
    • No
    Document Text Indexing Notes
    TACTIC has been combined with Solr by third-party clients to offer this functionality.

    Metadata

    Embedded metadata support (reading)
    Embedded metadata refers to information stored within asset files which can be searched from the DAM system. There are different standards for this type of metadata. Some image cataloguing software like Adobe Lightroom will write this data to asset files and a device like a camera may capture details also such as GPRS coordinates where an photo was shot. XMP metadata is often used with other types of files such as InDesign or PDF. If you are unsure whether this applied to you, do not check any options.
    • IPTC
    • EXIF
    Controlled Vocabularies
    Controlled Vocabularies are predefined lists of search terms. They can be realised in many different ways but the common factor is the user picks from a restricted selection rather than enters a keyword. Most DAM systems will usually support both controlled vocabularies and keywords.
    • Yes
    User Defined Metadata Fields
    The ability to configure metadata your own metadata fields is important for DAM systems so you can assign a dedicated field for certain items of information rather than using a generic classification method or one of the vendor's own standard fields.
    • Yes
    Cataloguing Interface Options
    When cataloguing assets with custom fields, some metadata will be controlled selections, others will be free text. There are further choices like date fields, file attachments etc.
    • Text field
    • Radio
    • Checkbox
    • Date
    • File attachment
    • Numbers

    Business Intelligence & Reporting

    Asset Usage Records
    To enable reports to be generated, DAM solutions must retain records of asset usage, including searching, download and editing of records. The reporting should include the user who carried out the activity and the date/time it occurred.
    • Yes
    Audit Trail
    A detailed audit trail that logs every user action in a central record is useful to gain insight into user behaviour. Comprehensive audit trails allow DAM system users to produce reports that address their unique needs.
    • Yes

    Asset Processing

    Dedicated/Scalable Proxy or Derivative Asset Generation
    Nearly all DAM systems will generate thumbnails and previews of media, including more dynamic types like video or audio. Some products use a separate server to do this which usually makes them more suitable for large scale asset ingestion and processing.
    • Yes
    Dedicated/Scalable Proxy or Derivative Asset Generation Notes
    TACTIC's origins are in the computer graphics industry, where industry standard is to delegate innumerable high-computational tasks to server farms.

    Multi-Page Document Asset Previews
    If you deal with document oriented assets, having a solution which can generate multi-page previews (and also zoom in on them) can save the hassle of downloading a file only to discover it is not the one you need. For assets with very similar content, this can be a useful feature.
    • Yes

    Asset Manipulation

    Image Manipulation
    Many DAM systems allow users to manipulate images by resizing, cropping etc. Choose any features which are important to your users.
    • Image re-sizing
    • Image cropping
    • Format conversion
    • Flip images
    • Rotate image
    • Change colorspace
    • Effects & filters
    • Batch manipulate groups of assets
    Image Manipulation Notes
    TACTIC Solutions offers the image manipulation functionalities listed above, either through custom interfaces or automated generation, depending on the specific requirements of the implementation.

    Video Manipulation
    Some DAM systems may allow video assets to be converted or modified. If that is a potential requirement for you, specify those features which are likely to be needed. EDL = Edit Decision List and refers to providing in/out points when editing video footage.
    • Format conversion
    • EDLs and editing features
    • Timeline metadata
    • Batch operations on multiple video assets
    Video Manipulation Notes
    TACTIC Solutions offers the video manipulation functionalities listed above, either through custom interfaces or automated generation, depending on the specific requirements of the implementation.

    Data Import/Export

    Importing Metadata
    Importing metadata is an important feature if you have either legacy assets or metadata is generated using some other tools (for example a spreadsheet). Not all systems offer this, but usually if the feature is not available, the vendor will be able to carry out batch importing for you via professional services (note: this will usually incur a cost, unlike a built-in capability).
    • Yes
    Metadata Import Formats
    This question only applies if the vendor has features to import metadata. There are common formats like CSV, XML and Excel which DAM solutions may support. If this is a requirement you are likely to make frequent use of, it is essential to verify whether the product supports the formats you typically work with.
    • CSV (or any delimited file)
    • XML
    • Excel (XLS or XLSX)
    Exporting Metadata
    As well as importing metadata, sometimes it is important to be able to export sections of it to conduct further analysis in third party applications. Not all products support this, but usually it will be possible to request the vendor provides an export via professional services (although a fee may be charged).
    • Yes
    Metadata Export Formats
    This question only applies if the vendor has features to export metadata. There are common formats like CSV, XML and Excel which DAM solutions may support. If this is a requirement you are likely to make frequent use of, it is essential to verify whether the product supports the formats you typically work with.
    • CSV (or other delimited file)
    • XML

    Integration

    API
    API means Application Programming Interface and allows third party software to control a DAM system. If you intend to integrate your DAM with another existing solution then you need to choose the API protocol that is compatible with that.
    • Other
    API Notes
    It uses Python or Javascript API in browser.

    Storage Integration
    Many DAM solutions will now allow assets to be stored on the server of Cloud storage providers. This allows asset files to be distributed and/or integrated with other solutions. Some third party services use generic protocols like FTP, others are proprietary.
    • Amazon S3
    • Microsoft Azure Blob
    • Rackspace Cloud Files

    Scripting & Plug-Ins

    Scripting Capabilities
    Some advanced DAM solutions have a scripting capability that allows users or third parties to add functionality which the vendor did not originally envisage. Usually programming skills will be required to use this, but some tools have visual interfaces also.
    • Yes
    Plug-In Support
    In addition to scripting (or sometimes instead of), some DAM solutions will have a plug-in architecture that allows third party developers to extend the core platform.
    • Yes

    Authentication

    Authentication Support
    If you need to integrate with an existing corporate authentication service then this option will be important for you.
    • Active Directory
    • LDAP

    Multi-Lingual Options

    Multilingual Application Interface Support
    The interface means the controls to use the DAM system. This is different from the metadata support which is usually entered by end users when cataloguing assets.
    • English
    • Other
    Multilingual Metadata Support
    See previous question. Most DAM systems with multi-lingual support will provide it for metadata.
    • Yes
    Multilingual Support Notes
    TACTIC administration is in English, but user solutions have been implemented in many languages, including Chinese, Korean, French, Japanese, Russian, German, etc.

    Version Control

    File versioning
    File versioning refers to the digital media associated with an asset record. This is usually the minimum requirement for a DAM system to claim support for versioning assets. See also responses to the related question about metadata versioning below.
    • Yes
    Metadata versioning
    Metadata versioning is separate from the files associated with assets. Many DAM solutions will track updated digital assets but only retain a single current version of the metadata. Since metadata is likely to be edited many more times than assets get replaced, this can be an important point to check.
    • Yes
    Independent Metadata And File Versioning
    This questions assesses whether the solution allows versions of either the file or metadata to be reverted independently or if both are linked to a single shared version instance.
    • Yes
      •

    Product Screenshots

    • Visually create workflows using a built-in Workflow Editor.
    • Preview assets’ thumbnails Bundle individual assets into collections Organize and display collections intuitively Table Layout displays detailed assets info Quick, simple checkin new version assets Version control, retrievable checkin history
    • Allow supervisors and managers quick access to all info in TACTIC Standard reports include work orders, deliverables, and assets Easily create custom reports
    • Manage your digital assets by creating work orders. Break projects into work orders with multiple deliverables. Each deliverable defines its own workflow with tasks, processes and digital assets.
    • Quickly group, organize and search assets in the Asset Library using the TACTIC Collections Manager.
    • TACTIC simplifies the data ingestion process by making it as easy as dragging and dropping files into an ingestion tool. From there, TACTIC automatically places the assets where they need to go by enforcing a company’s predefined file structure. Rules can be applied to the data to notify key individuals when files are ingested.
    • Business process mapping Visually create workflows using a built-in Workflow Editor. Interactively connect tasks with automated processes, key approvals and conditional requirements which together define the way you work.


    Profile Last Updated: 16/08/2016
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      All profile information has been provided by the vendors themselves and they are responsible for both its accuracy and validity.