SKY Ports Broadcast Management Software to .NET with Firefly Migration

PETACH TIKVA, Israel, March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Firefly Migration, a provider of 100% automated solutions for legacy application migration, today announced that it will start work on a large-scale conversion of broadcast mission critical systems for British Sky Broadcasting (Sky), the UK and Ireland's leading multi-channel, multi-platform television service provider.

Valued at over £0.5m, the project includes migrating Sky's Broadcast Scheduling System (BSS), as well as several satellite applications, to Microsoft .NET, and is due to complete mid 2013.

The heart of Sky's broadcasting operation, BSS serves as a repository for programs, promos and play rights, from which media assets are scheduled and transmitted to broadcast playout chains, and published to Sky's video-on-demand platforms. Sky's internal development team, which has been developing BSS for over 15 years, will undergo Firefly Migration's .NET training program and will continue to develop the migrated application.

As part of the evaluation process conducted by Sky, the company's Tape Library System had been migrated by Firefly Migration and tested by end-users to Sky's satisfaction, within the predetermined timeframe of four months.

Tim Taylor, Head of Broadcast & Media Sales IT, Sky, commented: "The evaluation period went well - we had good engagement from Firefly Migration and were able to prove their conversion processes. Their tool allows us to automate the conversion of our main BSS application in a cost effective way, while at the same time minimizing the impact on our delivery programme - these were key factors for us when deciding on Firefly Migration."

Noam Honig, CEO of Firefly Migration, added: "Sky is exactly the kind of customer we were aiming for when we set out to create our migration technology and has a lot to gain from our automated conversion to .NET, both business and technology-wise."

About Firefly Migration

Firefly Migration provides technology solutions that help organizations convert legacy applications to the latest Microsoft technologies, including Visual Studio and the .NET Framework. The company's automatic migration solution requires no manual programming and guarantees a short schedule, low cost, and complete preservation of the investment in the original system. Firefly Migration's customers include: DdD Retail, DataMax, Crown Agents, and Israel Aerospace Industries.

For more information, visit http://www.FireflyMigration.com.

About Sky

Sky entertains and excites more than 10.5 million homes through the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Living pushes ahead with fresh and innovative entertainment formats; Sky Arts is the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Atlantic is the home to HBO and other iconic drama and comedy, Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; Sky News remains a pioneer in television news; and Sky Movies is leading the way in High Definition and on-demand.

Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, as well as online and on mobile through the groundbreaking Sky Go service. Sky has also led the UK into the age of high definition television, launched Europe's first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, and offers customer even more flexibility and choice through Sky Anytime+, its internet-delivered video on demand service. Since launching Sky Broadband and Sky Talk in 2006, the company has also been the UK's fastest-growing home communications provider.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.

Contact:
Firefly Migration
Shay Shany, +972-54-7799467
Shay@FireflyBox.com