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ENCO Showcasing at 2022 NAB Show
- 07 April, 2022
New WebDAD 3.0 provides enhanced user experiences while letting stations efficiently manage their on-air operations
from anywhere with a network connection.
USA: The eagerly anticipated 2022 NAB Show in Las Vegas will form the backdrop as ENCO provides a first look at WebDAD 3.0, the next generation of its browser-based, remote radio automation control interface. The new version will feature a completely revamped architecture designed to improve the user experience while laying the foundation for future functionality and scalability.
ENCO will preview WebDAD 3.0 alongside other new innovations in booth #N5625 at the event, taking place April 24 to 27 in Las Vegas.
WebDAD lets users remotely manage and control studio-based ENCO DAD radio automation systems from anywhere with an internet connection. Supporting remote access for everything from uploading content and modifying playlists to voice tracking, WebDAD lets users efficiently manage their operations and keep their station on-air even when personnel can’t be physically in the studio.
“For years, WebDAD has been improving flexibility and efficiency for radio stations as personnel worked remotely more often,” said Ken Frommert, President of ENCO. “These benefits took on even more significance over the past two years and proved invaluable for limiting in-person staff contact during key waves of the pandemic. We have rebuilt WebDAD 3.0 from the ground up on modern development practices to address the intrinsic role that remote access now plays in today’s media operations, and to provide an extensible platform for future growth.”
ENCO’s WebDAD 3.0 preview interface.
The most visible WebDAD 3.0 enhancement is the modernized redesign of its browser-based user interface. Layout changes enable more intuitive operation and streamline workflows for key features, while selectable dark/light modes let users tailor the look to their preferences and working environment. Reactive forms retain information across interface screens, minimizing the need to re-enter the same data in different sections of the workflow. Performance optimizations also improve the responsiveness of the interface to users’ actions.
WebDAD 3.0 bolsters security with more granular control over user permissions, such as the ability to restrict access to specified libraries, functions, and systems. Meanwhile, added support for third-party accessibility assistance tools improves usability for people with impairments or disabilities. Other updates include a simplified deployment model for easier installation and upgrades, as well as enhanced cross-browser support.
WebDAD 3.0 is expected to be released this summer, with an easy upgrade path from current WebDAD installations to the new version.
Averting Disaster
In addition to enabling remote management of on-premises DAD systems, WebDAD also serves as the user interface for ENCO’s DAD Disaster Recovery (DAD-DR) solution. A cloud-based companion to DAD automation systems, DAD-DR is always ready to take over program and ad playout on a moment’s notice in case of a natural disaster or critical technical failure.
Providing a fully featured clone of the broadcaster’s on-premises DAD deployment, DAD-DR stays in continual synchronization with changes made on the local DAD system to ensure that backup content is up to date and that all scheduled ad spots will run. Through WebDAD, DAD-DR users can remotely update playlists, add new content, voice track shows, and perform library maintenance even if their physical station is completely out of commission or inaccessible.
“Having a complete, up-to-date disaster recovery platform is crucial for protecting broadcasters’ on-air operations and advertising revenues from major natural events, accidental disruptions, or malicious intrusions such as escalating ransomware attacks,” said Frommert. “The combination of DAD-DR with WebDAD provides robust fault tolerance that lets stations retain their audiences while they get their primary operations back up and running.”
