Cerelink Signs Agreement with DreamWorks Animation to Use Cloud Computing for Motion Picture Rendering in New Mexico

CORRALES, N.M., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Cerelink, Inc., a New Mexico Cloud Computing company, and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) have signed a multi-year agreement to use on-demand, 'elastic cloud computing' to render DreamWorks Animation motion picture projects.  Cerelink has deployed a significant number of computer servers in New Mexico to meet DreamWorks' demand for computer generated imagery (CGI) rendering.  

"We forecast growing our technical capacity by 20 times by the end of 2011 – this will create one of the largest cloud computing arrays for motion picture production in the world," said James Ellington, CEO of Cerelink.

There are substantial efficiencies using Cerelink's elastic cloud computing model. "Elastic" cloud computing allows clients to dynamically adjust technical capacity to meet real-time business needs.  In effect, this allows companies to only use the number of computers they need exactly when they need them.  In addition, New Mexico film production rebates and incentives offer a cost effective solution to the growing demand of CGI production for motion pictures.  Cerelink has worked with several New Mexico partners, including the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Computer Applications Center, over the past year to refine the on-demand cloud computing model for CGI rendering.  

"It was the ingenuity and technical know how of our combined teams at Cerelink and DreamWorks Animation to make this technical architecture and business model work – this has brought us first-to-market in this important niche," said Dr. Rod Sanchez,  Cerelink's President.  "We are working with other major motion picture studios to expand New Mexico's market share in this area."

Cloud computing is a highly saleable and often virtualized set of computers accessed by clients over ultra-high speed broadband networks. Cerelink's 'elastic cloud computing' model was used to help render this year's DreamWorks Animation releases, Shrek Forever After and How to Train Your Dragon.

About Cerelink

Cerelink is a high performance cloud computing provider to the motion picture industry. We provide private clouds for rendering and for other content creation and management applications. In 2010, Cerelink used its private cloud computing service to render portions of Shrek Forever After  and How to Train Your Dragon for DreamWorks Animation. Cerelink is able to offer a cost effective, secure combination of data center space, scalable high performance computing and networking in the form of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). Cerelink can provide its customers with on-demand access to high performance computing (HPC) services on world class supercomputing infrastructure, thanks to our collaboration with the New Mexico Computing Applications Center and other technology partners.

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for two consecutive years. In 2010, DreamWorks Animation ranks #6 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 20 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks Animation's next feature film is Megamind, scheduled to be released in 3D on November 5, 2010.

SOURCE Cerelink, Inc.