SeeFile Software, a developer of DAM (digital asset management) software for sharing media files, is announcing Release 4.6 of its product at a press conference at MacWorld Expo this week. SeeFile is exhibiting at MacWorld booth S-2612,South Hall.
Digital asset management systems, also known as Media Asset Management (MAM) systems, allow a range of collaborative workflows between creative professionals and their customers. While very powerful, these systems have traditionally been complex to implement. SeeFile solves this problem by providing pre-installed bundles of hardware and software that can be installed as easily as any networked computer. Because SeeFile 4.6’s DAM features allow improved communication between creative pros and their clients, there is usually a direct and measurable return on investment.
Starting February 2009, Seefile will release the first complete collaborative digital asset management solution as a web service. Users can start out trying the Web solution at very modest cost (under $50 per month) and graduate to the bundles at their own site when their needs require it.
SeeFile 4.6 leverages the unique capabilities of Apple’s Mac OSX software platform and new Macintosh hardware to deliver a simple, elegant tool for client communication. Administrative tools are included that simplify creation of user accounts and management of approval workflows. New features in Version 4.6 include a more intuitive user interface compatible with all modern web browsers, automated notifications of new or changed files, improved administrative control over users and groups, and extended support for a wide range of file types including PDFs, graphics files and videos.
SeeFile 4.6 is priced from $499 to $4,995, depending on number of user licenses. Complete bundled server systems including a Mac mini server with
1 terabyte of storage are available starting at $1,495. The hosted Web service will be available starting in February 2009 at several pricing tiers, starting at under $50 per month.
MacDailyNews Take: Oh, a Mac mini server with 1 terabyte of storage… Hey, wait a sec… A Mac mini server with 1 terabyte of storage!
MacDailyNews Note: Mac mini currently ships with an 80GB or 120GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA hard disk drive with an optional 160GB drive available.
If it has 1TB of storage, that other rumor about being able to substitute a second 2.5-inch hard drive for the optical drive must be true. Either that, or this new Mac mini uses a 3.5-inch drive.
speculation: a new mac mini announcement will include external connector for SAS/Mini-SAS port.
Don’t get your hopes up.
This is a bundled solution (ie, you pay $1,495 and you get a Mac mini with a terabyte hard-drive and the software preinstalled). This doesn’t mean that Apple will be offering a Mac mini with a terabyte hard-drive–it could very well be that SeeFile will open up the Mac mini, take out the hard-drive, and add a 1TB hard drive, seal it up, and send it to you. Or, more likely, it may be an external unit attached via FireWire.
In fact, if we look <A HREF=”http://www.seefile.com/pricing.html”>here<A>, we’ll see that SeeFile already offers a similar bundle but with an 80GB hard-drive for $995. Figure an extra $500 would easily pay for an external 1TB FireWire drive.
Of course, if this is the case, poor little SeeFile will be ruined for leaking product details before MacWorld…
dont get your panties in a bunch.. they could easily put in 2 500GB hard drives into a standard mini
Once you have 1TB of storage you need a backup, then with the excess of space you fill it up even quicker, then you need more space and more backups. Then you’re doomed.
I agree with Peter on the external on firewire, all they are saying is that the bundle is a Mac Mini with 1TB of storage, no mention is made of internal/external, and if it’s internal then they would have to cover the warranty because the HD isn’t “user replaceable” in a mac mini, thus voiding the Apple Warranty.
Uhm, no. This might be an Apple TV server though!
I think this reinforces the rumor that the new Mac Mini will use a dual SATA interface for the HD and SuperDrive. In that case, the SuperDrive and stock HD could be replaced with a pair of 500GB 2.5″ HDs for a total of 1TB of storage.
I’d be happier with a much better graphics chip and dedicated VRAM.
Did they even suggest it being high-performance? To keep costs down, they are probably just using an attached USB 2.0 drive. Peter is probably correct… I would not get my hopes up about it being based on an existing model from Apple, and I highly doubt there would be anything internal approaching 1TB in their solution.
I’m more interested in the actual design of the new mini, about which there has been almost no speculation or rumour.
For instance if you can replace the optical drive with a hard drive, then there has to be two SATA connections. They also have to be easy to get at and install/remove drives. Will there be sleds like the MacPro? Or slots like the drobo?
Others have been suggesting that Apple is going to make an expandable home server out of the mini, so how is this expandability going to be achieved? Is this a radical new design with some kind of quick access to HD’s? Or will we still have to get out a putty knife and crack the impossible case to change drives?
Far more interesting questions IMO.
“1 TERABYTE OF STORAGE!!!” (pinky to corner of the mouth)
I doubt the 1 TB is in the 2.5-inch form-factor built-in hard drive. My guess is the press release refers to some combination of internal and external—perhaps a 3.5-inch external.
I’d rather have a mac mini that is as cheap as possible, with Firewire or even better eSATA for connecting external drives if I need the capacity.
Make a mac mini for $400 that can be hooked up to a TV and act as the media server for the house.
eSATA is dandy and all, but why would a Mini need it for media server functionality? It’s not like you’re going to run 1080p resolution out of iTunes or anything else off the web. At best you’d have 1080i and files associated with that resolution can be copied in a few minutes over firewire 400. eSATA would be a total waste.
Give me an Apple made Drobo-like server box, please. Much better than a new Mini.
Stick in a real video card and FireWire 800 and I’ll be satisfied. My HDTV has a spot to piggyback one of these things.