Remedy Corporation, a leading provider of Information Technology Service Management (ITSM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and eProcurement solutions, and Remedy Solutions Partner, sd-group have announced the selection of Remedy`s adaptable, rapid deployment AR System solution by sit-up, for its real-time auction channel bid-up.tv.
bid-up.tv is the UK`s first live interactive auction and entertainment service, broadcasting 12 hours of daily live auctions simultaneously on digital TV (SkyDigital Channel 647) and the Internet. Viewers can participate in the auctions, using the www.bid-up.tv website or telephone.
The complex, interactive concept of this unique broadcasting experience required a highly fault tolerant and resilient architecture to integrate the complex business processes that underpin the channel`s concept.
"Working with Remedy`s AR system gave us a pure workflow engine that could deliver an end-to-end business solution, says Andrew Glasspool, Chief Technical Officer, sit-up. "We wanted every area of our operation, from order processing through to shipment of goods, to be undertaken on one, fully scalable system. No other product offered us such flexibility."
Remedy`s workflow solution manages a number of complex, inter-dependent functions, including telephone integration, supply chain management, warehousing, product catalogue as well as customer service and support.
"Remedy gave us rapid deployment, combined with a truly open architecture," says Glasspool. "A fast launch was critical to our business strategy and securing market leadership in a new medium."
Remedy`s AR System provided an infrastructure that could scale with the business, and was also web-enabled. As well as offering a totally open platform, its adaptable workflow rules support a highly complex business model whilst integrating a host of channels, technologies and operational processes.
Reviewing the challenges, David Ball, Director at systems integrator and Remedy Solutions Partner sd-group says, "Key to all start-up operations is the ability to work with a highly adaptable engine, particularly when the business model itself may go through several changes in the definition process."
Remedy`s AR solution enabled the incorporation of `instant customer care` with a whole host of complex, inter-related functions. These included supply chain management, auction management, warehousing, shipping and distribution. The system incorporates 1500 active links, 250 filters, 6 points of integration and 100 forms.
David Ball reviews the advantages selecting Remedy`s AR product delivered. "In two months we developed a phenomenally advanced bespoke system for bid-up.tv, It can manage complex inter-dependent business processes in an extremely robust and fault tolerant manner."
The system is already live as bid-up.tv launched on 2nd November 2000, broadcasting free in over four million SkyDigital homes.
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sit-up
sit-up is the UK`s first dedicated interactive video content provider, set up to create and exploit "sit-up" entertainment opportunities in convergence of digital TV and the Internet. Launched in 1999 by Ashley Faull and John Egan (two former board members of ONdigital) sit-up is wholly focused on the exciting opportunities surrounding the provision of interactive video content for the next generation of broadcasting. The sit-up name reflects the mix of lean back (television) and lean forward (computer) technologies - interactive television viewers will not simply `lean back` and watch or `lean forward` to type, they will be able to `sit up` and enjoy an interactive viewing experience whether on their television or their PC. sit-up plans to create, acquire and aggregate high quality interactive video content for broadband Internet and digital TV as these two media come together to create a new era in home entertainment. This market is destined to grow as BT and the other telephone companies join the digital satellite, digital cable and digital terrestrial companies in rolling out the distribution technology required for broadband Internet access - eventually being joined by mobile telephone companies as third generation mobile products come onto the market.
bid-up.tv
bid-up.tv* is an engaging, fast-paced and fun TV auction gameshow channel, initially available in over 4 million SkyDigital homes (Channel no. 647) and on the web. On bid-up.tv, viewers can compete for a variety of quality products during12 hours of compelling live auctions every day from noon to midnight.
Exciting, interactive and involving, bid-up.tv adds a competitive edge to the convenience of home shopping because shoppers can become winners in the battle for bargains. bid-up.tv is also a truly unique multi-platform experience where our audience can bid for the same products at the same time either via our website or via their TV. Initially satellite TV viewers bid by phone, but, in the future, they may bid directly with their remote control, which Telewest viewers will be able to do immediately.
bid-up.tv offers a wide range of leading brand products - from the latest electronics and jewellery to wine, fitness equipment and cars - all sold on a business to consumer basis. A themed programme schedule (with shows like ``Switched On` and `Wine and Dine`) means that viewers can find the products they want easily. Specials are scheduled at ten minutes to the hour- including several "bargain bidding" programmes every day, "the lot of the day" at ten to eight and "the car auction" every night at ten to ten. Soon after launch viewers will also be able to pre-bid for items coming-up.
bid-up.tv auctions happen fast, with a new lot every few minutes. Two types of auction are used to maintain the excitement and encourage maximum viewer participation. They are `rising price` auctions - where the highest bidder(s) wins, and `falling price` - where the price keeps dropping until everything is sold at the price when the individual bids are received, or the auction closes.
bid-up.tv is designed to take full advantage of the exploding Digital TV market (already over 4 million homes and anticipated to reach over 12 million by December 2004) It is also one of the first `convergence` products for new Broadband homes. It couples the best `lean back` entertainment value of television with the interactive `lean forward` capability of the PC, to create a `sit-up` interactive experience for the audience.
Remedy
Remedy is a leading supplier of Information Technology Service Management (ITSM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and eProcurement solutions with customers using its products at more than 9,500 sites. Remedy`s fast deployment programs and radical adaptability accelerate an organisation`s move to eBusiness and increase its ability to differentiate from competitors. By focusing on internal and external service, Remedy`s customers continually improve both their customer interactions and their internal operations to raise satisfaction and lower costs. More information on Remedy, its products and its services is available on the company`s Web site at www.remedy.com
SDP
The sd-group provides support services solutions for its client`s internal and external customers. The sd-group is a web-centric organisation providing consultancy, outsourcing and software products and services. Its customers range from the dynamic (start up ISPs) to the more established (public sector) organisations. The sd-group provides end-to-end service solutions, from consultancy through to on-going service delivery. Originally focused on delivering IT Service Management consultancy in parallel with an IT Managed Services operation, sdp has now established itself as an IT Professional Services organisation providing its clients with consultancy, project management and operational delivery for their Customer Care and IT support functions.