Storage Solutions: McDonald's Upgrades To Unity 4.2.2 With Archion Storage
McDonalds has expanded its Unity Media Networks' capability by acquiring Archion's new Synergy HD storage product. 
The announcement was made by Mark Bianchi, CEO and Reuben Lima, COO, Archion.
Bianchi and Lima said jointly, "Clearly, this demonstrates the unique technological advantage Archion provides to 1, 2 and 4 gig Unity clients. McDonald's was impressed at how seamlessly Synergy HD went from a 1 gig Unity environment to a 4 gig environment without requiring either software or hardware upgrades. There is no other product on the market proven to work across the entire Unity Media Networks platform. Our message is concise: Archion provides greater versatility, superior expandability, exceptional performance and a greater return on investment for our clients' existing technology."
McDonald's purchased Archion for its digital storage of audio and video assets used in the production of their corporate communications. Based in Elk Grove, IL, Archion's client is Ben Campbell, Video Technology Supervisor for McDonald's Corporate Communications Creative Services department.
Regarding the news, Mr. Campbell said, "Our initial experience was with Archion's Synergy Plus and our existing Avid Unity Legacy system. Now, we've recently upgraded our Avid Unity to the latest version, 4.2.2, and the Archion Synergy HD system was plug and play with the upgrade. We set up our Synergy HD for dual fibre port operation to capitalize on our new Unity upgrade. To put it simply, Archion products work and perform flawlessly."
Added Steve Robinson of Serial Scene, Archion's Chicago based reseller, "Ben Campbell was warned by Avid's representatives to be prepared for problems when they learned of his decision to purchase Archion's Synergy HD . But Ben recognized the advantages of the product, and his faith in Archion has certainly paid off, big time!"
ABOUT MCDONALD'S CREATIVE SERVICES DIVISION:
For over 25 years, McDonald's Creative Services has been a trusted name throughout McDonald's Corporation. The unit helps internal McDonald's clients communicate by producing media materials and business meetings for internal and external audiences.
Creative Services offers a full range of media production including audio and video production and editing, print and digital graphics design and layout, animation and multi-media services, on-location and studio photography, and staging design and execution for productions of any scale. These services are complemented by producer and project management services. The goal of Creative Services is to provide quality, value-added communications services that help inform audiences in an engaging manner.
ABOUT THE SYNERGY HD PRODUCT
According to James Tucci, Archion's CTO, Archion's Synergy HD is certified for Avid Unity MediaNetworks 3.X through 4.x and Interplay.
Synergy HD was engineered to expand the storage requirements of existing Unity clients without the need to replace or upgrade their current Unity infrastructure. The sophistication and intelligence of Synergy HD extends the usable life of current Unity MediaNetworks; while providing a greater ROI for Storage and Unity. Synergy HD is fully compatible with Archion's Alliance and Synergy products. Unlike Unity MediaNetworks, Synergy HD's Hardware RAID protects media in the event of a drive failure without the need to mirror. Synergy HD is rapidly becoming the storage of choice for existing Avid Unity clients during 2007.
ABOUT ARCHION
Archion Technologies, headquartered in Burbank, California, was founded in 1999 by a group of technology entrepreneurs with a vision for designing networked storage systems for the professional video market. For more information, please see www.archion.com
SOURCE: Archion Technologies