The IABM (International Association of Broadcast Manufacturers) has launched an industry-wide endorsement scheme for Industry Collaborative Groups (ICGs) within broadcast and media technology.
The ICG Endorsement Scheme is intended to encourage collaboration across a wide range of industry issues and opportunities, from education and best practice to standardisation and interoperability. The IABM’s stated vision is ‘for a universally recognised framework, where endorsed collaborative groups will be supported, promoted and encouraged to fulfil their potential and move forward in an open, constructive environment to the benefit of the wider industry’.
‘We have launched the ICG Endorsement Scheme in response to the many challenges our industry currently faces,’ says IABM CEO, Peter White. ‘Whether it’s SDI to IP, HD to UHD, HDR or WCG, traditional or new age delivery, there is a plethora of issues around standardization, best practice and interoperability that need to be solved.
‘Collaborative groups can be an excellent way of moving things forward quickly and efficiently. However, if they are not properly constituted, these groups can sometimes lead us down blind alleys or serve the commercial interests of just a few. Our ICG Endorsement Scheme has been carefully formulated to avoid these pitfalls, and we envision that endorsed collaborative groups will have the authority and momentum to solve problems and lead the industry forward by supporting and promoting industry standardisation while avoiding proprietary dead ends.’
To gain endorsement under the ICG Endorsement Scheme, applicants must meet a number of key criteria, designed to ensure that they conduct their business in an open, sustainable and professional manner that is beneficial both to members of the groups and the wider industry.
Group requirements for ICG endorsement are:
The ICG Endorsement Scheme aims to give collaborative groups the authority and momentum to create solutions that benefit the whole industry efficiently and quickly, while avoiding proprietary dead ends. In addition, endorsed groups receive the following benefits from IABM:
