Today at NAB2006, Microsoft Corp. announced a new customer in the broadcast industry has deployed Microsoft� Connected Services Framework to enable the streamlining of internal systems and better exploitation of its global assets and distribution services. In addition, Microsoft has reinforced its commitment to its partner ecosystem in the broadcast and film industries with companies such as OmniBus Systems, North Plains Systems Corp. and Infosys Technologies Ltd. that have built or are integrating new solutions based on Microsoft Connected Services Framework and other Microsoft technologies. The new customer and the partner services and solutions follow Microsoft�s announcement with Accenture and Avanade last week that Singapore-based broadcasting giant MediaCorp Pte Ltd. has adopted Microsoft Connected Services Framework as a key component in its integrated broadcast system.

BBC Worldwide Ltd. is working on a digital strategy that will enable the streamlining of internal systems and better exploitation of its global assets and distribution services. As part of this strategy, the broadcaster is deploying Connected Services Framework as the unifying platform that links disparate systems and islands of content currently stored in multiple archives and formats. The initiative will also provide a companywide view of all content and distribution channels. In addition to being cost-effective and quick to deploy, Microsoft Connected Services Framework is scalable, enabling a phased rollout while still allowing usual services to customers to be maintained. The first phase of the project is planned to be completed in April 2006 and will involve the integration of three disparate product catalogs.