One-Click Installation Enables Quick and Simple Launch of Cloud-Based Render Farms on Azure

Los Angeles, CA (July 6, 2015) –  Thinkbox Software today announced that high-volume compute management solution  Deadline is now available in the Azure Marketplace. Scalable and cross-platform, Deadline controls compute resources on physical and virtual machines. Having supported Azure since the introduction of VMX (Virtual Machine Extension) capabilities in 2013, Deadline’s integration with Azure Marketplace provides Microsoft users one-click access to the software, automatically setting up the Deadline infrastructure on Azure with no download required. 

In addition to providing a template for instant access to the current Deadline version 7.2, which ships with a trial of  NextLimit's Maxwell Render, Thinkbox will launch Azure Marketplace templates that support Deadline 8 later this summer. Deadline 8 includes proxy support, allowing users to connect to Deadline over public Internet using SSL with improved security, eliminating the need to setup a virtual private network (VPN). Conversely, the proxy server can also be used to connect local Deadline farms to Deadline slaves in Azure. 

“Our goal is to make the evaluation and adoption of cloud resources simple and straightforward. With Deadline in Azure Marketplace, we’ve widened users’ access to a security-enhanced, high performance cloud computing solution on their platform of choice so that they can enjoy the synergy of a complete Microsoft workflow,” said Chris Bond, founder, Thinkbox Software. 

“Cloud computing is becoming increasing important in production ecosystems, and Deadline plays a vital role in managing compute resources. Adding Deadline to the Azure Marketplace is exciting for Microsoft customers as they can now more easily explore what our platform has to offer,” said Nicole Herskowitz, Senior Director of Product Marketing, Microsoft Azure. 

Deadline on Azure Marketplace will be showcased at the 2015 Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Orlando, Florida from July 12-16. Visitors can check out the solution in the Thinkbox Software pod in the Microsoft Cloud Partner pavilion on the expo floor in booth #MC18. For more information on Deadline, please visit:  http://www.thinkboxsoftware.com/deadline/ 

About Thinkbox Software
Founded by Chris Bond in 2010, Thinkbox Software develops production-proven tools for visual artists and backs each product with highly responsive support. Used across entertainment, engineering and design industries, Thinkbox’s products include Deadline® high-volume data management software used to render or process files and several other artist-driven software tools to create, visualize and modify datasets for visual effects, animation and digital simulations. For more information, visit  www.thinkboxsoftware.com or follow @thinkboxsoft on Twitter