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Glossary

The terms listed below will help you understand, and give context to the screens and concepts that are covered in this online help.

Name Description
Access Control Access control is a fundamental aspect of the Dalet Flex and allows users and other systems to interact with Dalet Flex in a secure and isolated fashion. Dalet Flex supports a number of common access control objects that provide hierarchical -access control and multi-tenanting.
Accounts An account is a Dalet Flex mechanism for grouping users, and the permissions assigned to them. You can add and remove users from an account. An account holds details such as themes, members, roles, groups, variants, properties and historical information. An account is linked to a sub-account (referenced later in the glossary).
Action In Dalet Flex, an action is conceived as an abstract unit of work that instigates change. An action is any process that can create a new file asset, or modify an existing file asset. Examples of actions include: ingest, copy, move, transcode, and publish. All work that Dalet Flex does for a user is described by an action. When an action is executed, it is done so as a job.
Asset Basket The asset basket allows you to collect assets in a basket for future use. You can add items to the asset basket by carrying out multiple searches.
Asset An asset group is a type of object that represents a collection of assets and other asset groups. By adding asset groups to existing asset groups, you can create hierarchies of asset groups. An asset or asset group that belongs to an asset group is referred to as member. Every member of an asset group has a membership name.
Bandwidth Quota A bandwidth quota is for the amount of bandwidth that may be used per user and inbox / shared folder combination for a certain I/O based resource, such as a Transfer Server.
Bulk Actions Bulk actions are used across Dalet Flex, to allow the user to manage multiple objects simultaneously.
Capacity resource A capacity resource is used for storing media files, for example, on a network mounted storage array.
Child When the source file is converted, the resulting file is referred to as a “Child” file.
Clip A clip is a concept found exclusively in MAM. You can select a region of frames from an asset and turn them into a clip. You can place clips into a sequence.
Decision Node A decision node represents an action that returns a ‘true’ or ‘false’ value. This node supports exactly two leaving transitions named “true” or “yes” and “false” or “no”, and one entering Transition. This node is very useful for creating conditional flows within a workflow.
Error/Warning The Errors and Warnings report allows for the generation of errors and warnings for accounts and users.
Events An event is something that happens in Dalet Flex at some point in time. Nearly everything that happens in Dalet Flex results in an event being recorded. You can search events using various filters (e.g. Date, Owner). The events section can be found in the Desktop section.
Event Handler An event handler defines an action to perform, when an event occurs that matches specified filter parameters. For example: an email notification can be created whenever a workflow completes.
File Acceleration File acceleration is a UDP based application level data transport protocol. It is used for distributing data intensive applications over wide area high-speed networks. It enables users to transfer files quickly and efficiently.
Folder Resource A Dalet Flex resource that represents a logical folder for grouping assets. A folder resource is typically associated with a storage resource.
Fuzzy Search To perform a fuzzy search, use the tilde, “~”, symbol at the end of a single word term. For example, to search for a term similar in spelling to “roam” use the fuzzy search roam~.
Global Search The global search is located in the top right hand side of the Desktop screen. This allows you to search for any keyword, phrase, or sentence in Dalet Flex. This search field allows you to search across every object type in Dalet Flex at once.
Group A group is a collection of users within Dalet Flex.
Hot Folder A hot folder is a type of resource that automatically scans for the arrival of new files. It points to a specified folder on the server (may be network mounted). This may be used for files that are transferred via other systems (or manually) within the network. hot folders can also be linked to workflows.
ID Every object in Dalet Flex (including digital assets) has a system assigned unique identification number. If you know this unique identifier, this is one of the fastest ways to locate a file in Dalet Flex.
Inbox An inbox is a folder that is used for remote delivery of files via the Dalet Flex Transfer Agent, or via FTP. An inbox can be configured to initiate a specified workflow on receipt of a file, enforce a remote validation of an asset against a validation profile, or enforce a remote entry of metadata against a metadata definition.
Ingest “Ingest” refers to the process of taking a stand-alone digital file, stored locally on your computer or on a remote server, and converting it into an asset that is managed by Dalet Flex.
I/O Resource An I/O resource is used for moving files between different locations. An example of an I/O resource is the Dalet Flex Transfer Server.
Job A job is the base unit of work in Dalet Flex, and is the execution of an action. A job is a transaction which can be scheduled and run manually by users in the Dalet Flex web interface, automatically as part of a workflow, or programmatically via the API interface.
Job Scheduler Schedules all the Jobs in Dalet Flex. Each job is put in a queue. You can assign a priority to a job. The higher the priority, the sooner it will be processed.
Keyframe A Keyframe is a still shot, which defines the starting and ending points of any smooth transition. A sequence of keyframes defines which movement the viewer sees, whereas the position of the keyframes on the film or video defines the timing of the movement. A keyframe is an image file that is associated with an asset. Typically a keyframe is a specific frame that has been extracted from the associated digital file. In this case the keyframe has a timecode that represents the position of the keyframe within the digital file.
Local Search An object type specific search such as an asset search, task search, or job search.
MAM Represents Media Asset Management.
Manifest File A manifest file is an XML file used as part of Inbox delivery. It contains details regarding the media file to be delivered, including an MD5 checksum value.
Poster Keyframe A poster keyframe is the keyframe you see when viewing an asset. For example: You can set poster keyframes for your assets in MAM.
Metadata Metadata is the descriptive details about the content of a digital asset.
Metadata Definition A metadata definition defines the structure of a data model, including field types, field names, access, validation rules, and hierarchy. This model does not comprise any values, as the values vary depending on each definition instance. The terms “metadata definition” and “metadata schema” are used interchangeably and have the same meaning.
Metadata Designer The Metadata Designer is a data modelling design tool that allows you to design your metadata models graphically.
Metadata Framework Dalet Flex’s metadata framework enables you to define data models (schema) that comprise a wide range of field types. Metadata schema can be associated with object types.
Metadata Instance A metadata definition comprising specific values.
Metadata Schema A metadata schema defines the structure of a data model, including field types, field names, access, validation rules, and hierarchy. This model does not comprise any values, as the values vary depending on each Schema Instance. The terms “metadata definition” and “metadata schema” are used interchangeably and have the same meaning.
Metadata Types Metadata forms are configured in the system to display information based on the context.
Multi Tenancy Multi-tenancy means that multiple companies or accounts can be set up on a single Dalet Flex platform.
Name This is the user-assigned name for a digital asset. Names are copied when the default files are ingested into Dalet Flex, or when source files are converted. Every object in Dalet Flex has a name. You can change a name based on your level of permission.
Narrower Term This is when one term is related to another particular term, but also has a more specific meaning. For example: you might want the word “jacket” to be a narrower term for “clothing”, “outerwear”, and “covering”.
New Object Toolbar The New Object toolbar is the main source for creating new objects in Dalet Flex (assets, asset groups etc). The toolbar is displayed in every tab in Dalet Flex (in the Navigation bar), so it can be easily accessed.
Node A node is a step in a workflow that represents a unit of work that will either complete successfully, or fail. A workflow node must always have a unique name. Workflow nodes can be broken down into three main types: structural nodes, user tasks, and Dalet Flex tasks.
Notification Box The Notification box notifies you of events that have happened in Dalet Flex that are relevant to you. Events generated from objects you are following will appear in the Notification box.
Object An object is a Dalet Flex term used to describe anything that is managed in Dalet Flex. There are various object types in Dalet Flex. Examples include assets, workflows, and tasks. An object can also be referred to as an ‘item’ in this guide.
Object Context Some objects have a context associated with them. A context comprises environmental variables that can be stored and read by a single object instance. These variables are “scoped” so that they can only be viewed by the object. The context also provides access to Dalet Flex services such as a logging.
Parent An original source file is referred to as a “parent” file in Dalet Flex.
Placeholder Asset A placeholder asset is still subject to validation of significant assumptions about its technical or financial attributes, and therefore the data cannot be finalised.
Player A player instance (or player) is a web-based media player that enables Dalet Flex users and public internet users to view Dalet Flex assets. When viewing a Dalet Flex asset through a player, a user can play, stop, pause, and carry out all of the other common features of modern web media players. Hence, players enable Dalet Flex users to make assets available publicly or privately for viewing on platforms and devices outside the Dalet Flex console.
Player Definition A player definition is a player template, used to define the properties of one or more player instances. A player definition comprises a plugin that controls the various properties.
Player Publishing The Publish Player action supports associated “Undo” and “Redo” action types. This means that when you manually publish a player, you can optionally choose to Unpublish and Republish the player in the future.
Plugin A plugin is a software component that adds a specific feature to an existing computer program. A plugin enables customization.
Plugin Type See the Plugins page for a list of supported internal plugin types.
Profile A profile is a system-generated metadata schema, used for storing configuration templates. Two structures are available: Validation (used for validating assets against desired structural metadata values), and transcode (used for defining a transcode profile to be used when transcoding an asset).
Processing Resource A Processing resource is used for processing media such as transcoders, for example.
Purge A purge is an action in Dalet Flex that deletes the asset both from Dalet Flex’s UI and its underlying layer. This means that it cannot be searched on or indexed.
Quota A user bound restriction on access to a resource.
Quota Type Quota types define a maximum bandwidth within the Dalet Flex environment. Here you can set the total storage limit within the environment. You can also transfer Bytes over time within the quota types screen.
Related Term When one term is closely related to another term in the thesaurus tool. For example: you might want the word “t-shirt” to be a related term for “clothing”.
Reports Dalet Flex offers a reporting framework whereby users can set up and configure reports that provide information on the state of Dalet Flex. Dalet Flex’s reporting framework cangenerate reports in PDF as well as Excel, and allows for the upload of templates to customise branding, look, and feel.
Report Templates Report templates are used to define the look and feel of a report. Dalet Flex uses Jasper report templates to support this functionality.
Resource Resources are external services used by Dalet Flex to store, transfer, and process media. Examples include storage devices, transcoder software, and file transfer technologies. Resources extend the core functionality of Dalet Flex and enable it to scalably meet the demands of modern media management operations by utilising commodity technologies.
Resource Manager The Resource Manager is a service within Dalet Flex that manages the state of resources which have been defined (e.g. it pauses resources found to be unavailable), and allocates appropriate resources to jobs when requested by the scheduler.
Roles Roles define the different user roles within Dalet Flex. Each role has specific permissions. Permissions are divided into Functionality, Section , Object Type, and API . Each user can only have one Role at any one time.
Scoping A scope is the context in which an Object can be accessed. For example, a workflow definition can only be accessed in the scope of an account.
Sequence A sequence is a concept that is found exclusively in MAM. A sequence is made of clips that you have extracted from one or more assets. A sequence of clips can be used to create an entirely new asset.
Shared Folder A shared folder is a content storage folder that may be used for shared delivery, and retrieval of files via multiple users within Dalet Flex.
Source Files The original files that have been ingested into Dalet Flex.
Storage Quota A Dalet Flex quota for the amount of storage that may be used by a user against a storage based resource, such as a folder resource, inbox, or shared folder.
Structural Metadata Structural metadata is extracted from an asset by Dalet Flex, which details the important fundamental characteristics of the asset (e.g. format type, streams, codecs, frame rate, etc).
Storage Reports Storage reports allow for the generation of storage usage reports across accounts and users.
Sub-Accounts Sub-accounts might be used by a larger company with multiple business units that are operating independently. Assigning members to sub-accounts allows companies to define specific groups (i.e. departments), and assign permissions to the members within these departments.
Task A user task (or just task) is a unit of work that must be carried out by a user. A user task comprises one or more Dalet Flex console screens (or a wizard) through which a user interacts with Dalet Flex to get work done. A user task is a workflow-based concept and user tasks are always carried out as part of a orkflow.
Task Definition A task definition defines the type of task. Task definitions are used to create user task nodes in workflow definitions. Task definitions are created and edited by users in the Dalet Flex console.
Task Instance A task instance represents a single instance of a task definition. A task instance is created when a workflow instance reaches a user task node. Once the task instance has been created and assigned, it can be accessed from the Tasks section of the Dalet Flex console. Once the task instance has completed, the workflow instance that created the new task instance is notified and the workflow instance moves to the next node.
Text Search Text searches in Dalet Flex allow you to search in a more natural way, by matching content in a less structured fashion. Dalet Flex provides a rich query language, so you have the ability to create your own queries that accurately find the information of relevance to you.
Thesaurus The thesaurus tool enables you to create a comprehensive list of terms with relational mapping, which can be applied as a backing store to text fields in your metadata schemas. The Thesaurus tool is accessed from the Metadata Designer.
Timecode A timecode is used extensively for synchronisation. Within Dalet Flex, its functionality allows you to log and identify material in recorded media.
Timed Action A timed action can be configured within Dalet Flex to run on a regular repeating basis.
Transcode Transcode is the process of changing a file format. The process creates a new file, which becomes a child of a source asset.
Transcode Profile An instance of a system metadata definition, that defines a set of criteria used to specify the output from transcoding an asset.
Data Report Transferred data reports allow for the generation of data transfer reports across accounts and users.
Transfer Quota A Dalet Flex quota for the amount of data that may be transferred per user and inbox / shared folder combination for a certain IO based resource, such as a Transfer server per 24 hour period.
Transfer Server A Transfer server is a component used to provide file transfer services from contributors and customers into the remote ingest system. This will be implemented using the Dalet Flex Transfer component.
Transition The transition is used to indicate the order in which nodes should be executed when a workflow instance is running. A transition has a start point and an end point. Each point must be connected to one node only. A node that is connected to the end of a transition is often referred to as the end node.
Trashbin The trashbin provides a list of all assets that have been deleted in Dalet Flex. The trash bin serves as a place to store old assets until you decide whether to purge them, or restore them back to their original state.
Unmanaged File A Unmanaged file is managed by Dalet Flex but not recognised as an asset.
Upload When you upload a file, you copy it from your computer or local network to Dalet Flex.
Use This is when you want a specific term to be used in place of the user entered term in the thesaurus tool.
User A user is configured within Dalet Flex and belongs to groups, roles, workspaces, and accounts.
Used For This is when you want a specific term to be replaced by the user entered term in the thesaurus tool. For example: “outwear” could be used as a substitute for “clothing”.
User Task A user task is a unit of work that must be carried out by a person. A user task comprises one or more screens through which a user interacts with Dalet Flex to get work done.
Validate Node A validate node is a decision node that validates an asset with a validation profile and returns a true or false value. This node supports exactly two leaving transitions named “true” or “yes” and “false” or “no”, and one entering transition. This node is useful for creating conditional flows within a workflow.
Validation Profile An instance of a system metadata definition that defines a set of criteria which the structural metadata of a file must match. The profile holds information such as file, video stream, audio stream, and internal text metadata.
Variant A variant is a sub-type of an object defined by a user.
VFS Resource A virtual file system (VFS) is an abstraction layer on top of a more concrete file system. A VFS resource allows client applications to access different types of concrete file systems in a uniform way.
Web Uploader The Web Uploader is used as an alternate to the remote Transfer Agent. The Web Upload button is located on the toolbar, when either the Desktop tab or Asset tab are open.
Wildcard Searches Dalet Flex searches supports single and multiple character wildcard searches within single terms (not within phrase queries). To perform a single character wildcard search, use the “?” symbol. To perform a multiple character wildcard search use the “*” symbol.
Wizard A wizard is an ordered sequence of screens (pages) through which users interact with Dalet Flex in order to carry out work. Wizards allow users to quickly carry out common tasks. Dalet Flex’s wizard framework is very extensible so that developers can create their own wizards with their own associated pages.
Workflow A workflow is an ordered sequence of tasks that are carried out to fulfil a business or technical process.
Workflow Definition A blueprint of a workflow used to create a workflow instance
Workflow Instance A workflow instance is a workflow with specific values.
Workspace A workspace is a project area that enables a collection of users to collaborate on a collection of assets. You can switch workspaces using the top right of the Navigation screen. Members are bound to workspaces.