Business need
ISOFT is a big company, developing software for the broadcasting industry. ISOFT's SmartSuite family of products helps to automate broadcasts. One of the main products is SmartPlay, the popular video recording system, which makes it easier for the Grass Valley video servers to control server storage and has wide functional use. Such products as SmartMirror and SmartBrowse optimize media storage, making transfer and network monitoring job easier.
This company operates worldwide, with a project-based approach to customer-focused solutions. For example, ISOTX is the main broadcasting partner for the annual Eurovision song contest, as well as other events of similar size.
Due to growth and popularity of the solutions offered by the customer, they needed to develop the company products further and have an additional team working for the company.
Challenge
The primary challenge was to find someone with the right skills and experience to use the new and emerging Silverlight technology they required.
They wanted to use Silverlight not only to create graphics objects, but also to build a powerful software application. This was a significant challenge as few people had mastered this technology, and even fewer people used it to develop robust applications.
Another challenge was the requirement to have a highly organized, self starter--the company was looking for a truly independent person, able to set their own tasks, write specifications, manage documentation, ask questions and demand answers (I.e. to be an active initiative creating member of the team).
Solution
Binary Studio software and management professionals succeeded in satisfying the needs of our client. We're a progressive company, and we take an active interest in new technologies. We already tried Silverlight for one of our first Silverlight projects and we had people with the right experience, whom we gladly offered to such a company as ISOFT.
We also take into account the psychological features the desired team member should possess for each client, and we offered a detail oriented, passionate, diligent and well-organized person; a self-managed self-starter, able to work remotely without daily hands on management.
Projects we did together
Scheduled recording
Background
The application is a visual interface to the scheduled recording plug-in of ISOFT’s SmartPlay. In a video server system where one or more recording channels are set up to be controlled by SmartPlay, the application enables users to see, in a timeline format, what recordings are scheduled or taking place and allows them to add, change and delete scheduled recordings.
The application is used by technical personnel in TV stations and other broadcasting related businesses where audio-visual material is recorded according to a pre-determined schedule. Most users will be entry level technicians with only a basic understanding of video servers.
Similar products are in existence today. Examples are Dart from Vizrt, and Scheduler from Video Technics. These example products, together with the related software from each company, provide the functionality that the Scheduled Record Interface and SmartPlay will provide.
The application is successful when users can manage scheduled recordings on a system with multiple recorders after a short tutorial and when all the required information is passed between the application and SmartPlay so that SmartPlay can perform all scheduled recording functions.
Objectives
- Provide a high level of security;
- Provide an administration of the system;
- Provide stable interaction with the SmartPlay;
- Provide a flexible management system of tracks, schedules etc;
- Provide fast interaction with the server.
Platforms, Languages & Technologies
- Windows, Mac OS, Linux
- MS SQL 2008 R2
- C# 3.5
- Silverlight 3
- NUnit, Silverlight Unit Testing
- Microsoft Entity Framework 1.0
- WCF Ria Services
- ASP.NET 3.5, WebFroms







