BBC Technology Case Study

The Customer's Dilemma

BBC News had to replace their current news concentration/switching system as it was not Millennium compliant and was based on obsolete DEC PDP 11 hardware. They needed a more up to date system that could support traditional newswire protocols as well as the new communication technologies such as e-mail, Internet FTP, and had the ability to connect to other computers on LAN/WAN networks.

At the time that they approached Transtel, BBC News was using another vendor's system: it was still not working to their specification despite nearly one year of costly testing and de-bugging onsite at the BBC. As there was only four months left to go to the 31/12/1999 deadline, time was fast running out.

The Solution

Transtel used their experience in developing software systems for Reuters and other news agencies in Middle East/African countries, to create a bespoke solution for the BBC. Furthermore, Transtel engineers were able to install, configure and commission the new system working to BBC's exact requirements within one day.

How the Customer Benefited

The new Transtel system enabled BBC News to be Millennium compliant and thus avoid a number of related issues that could have a serious impact on their news concentration and switching capabilities.
In addition to traditional news gathering methods, the Transtel system enabled the BBC to use new technologies for news gathering via e-mail and Internet FTP; the Transtel system could also be further expanded as and when required by the BBC.

BBC News achieved a significant return on their investment by implementing Transtel's solution: they were able to replacing their obsolete hardware, avoid Millennium compliance issues and benefit from faster and more efficient news gathering technology.