XML-based Content
Management System
ProSieben employs Tamino XML Database for subscriber service
September 11, 2000 - In cooperation with Software AG, Think
Tank Corporate Consulting has developed the first XML-based content
distribution system for ProSieben Digital Media GmbH. The database
supplies several hundred ddp news service subscribers with event
calendars and information for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Contents are assigned to customers and information is formatted with
XML technologies, XQL, XPATH and XSL.
The objective of the
project is to distribute editorial information and calendars to
customers of ddp, a subsidiary of ProSieben (German entertainment
network). To this end, a system was developed which assigns the
several hundred subscribers with the corresponding information (close
to 1000 pieces of information on current programming, the station,
events, etc. are stored in the system) and sends them a customized
package daily.
In November of 1999,
Think Tank Corporate Consulting created the centralized multimedia
content-distribution solution, Packager, for ProSieben. But there were
drawbacks. Each XML object represented a physical file, which meant
that large volumes of data could not always be processed fast enough
to meet deadlines. This problem was solved with Tamino XML Database
from Software AG, the world's only native XML database. With Tamino,
XML objects can be stored directly, ensuring high performance. The
structure and content of individual documents remain intact in the
database, as neither incoming nor outgoing XML documents have to be
converted to other database formats. This is extremely advantageous,
particularly when dealing with complex, hierarchically structured
documents. In contrast, traditional relational database systems
require that XML documents first be converted and split up for storage
in tables, slowing performance considerably. Tamino's structure can
also be adapted to changing demands with very little effort – no
modifications are necessary when new elements are added or deleted.
Today, ProSieben Digital
Media GmbH uses XML throughout the entire organization as its
strategic data format for storing information and enabling
communication between different systems.
Using a Web-based front-end, the editorial team enters information
into the content management system, which is supported by a relational
database management system (RDBMS). The Importer module of the
content-distribution system loads the contents from the RDBMS into
Tamino XML Database, where the customer subscriptions and profiles are
stored. A distributor first assigns content to the corresponding
subscribers, and then, at the set time, a scheduler checks which
content is to be dispatched. Content is extracted from the database
with XPath and transformed with an XSL processor to the target format,
for example HTML or e-mail. The contents are sent to the customers by
the supplier, e.g. via FTP or SMTP.
Think Tank
Corporate Consulting GmbH is based in Munich. Its projects
focus on areas such as the Internet, databases, XML and multimedia.
Think Tank was founded in 1996 and currently employs a staff of 60
staff. It is run by its owners. Think Tank's area of expertise shifted
from conceptualization to realization and support of complete
projects.
Think Tank developed the www.web2cad.de portal for the mechanical
engineering industry and specifically for web2cad who owns 70% of the
consulting firm. An additional project completed for web2cad is a
comprehensive XML-based product line, entitled Solutions for Your
E-business, targeted at primarily small and medium-sized mechanical
engineering firms. Other major projects include the document
management system for BMW's marketing division, the Internet picture
archive for the LOMO camera and the Intranet for the
Direkt-Anlage-Bank. Customers include Netscape, DEBIS, Commerzbank,
HILTI, Behörden Online.
ProSieben Digital
Media GmbH is a subsidiary of ProSieben Media AG and is
responsible for the creation and distribution of texts and files for
video text, Internet and teletext. The ddp Nachrichtenagentur GmbH is
a wholly owned subsidiary of ProSieben. One of Germany's most
innovative news agencies, ddp offers services including competent
national and state news, interesting special reports as well as a
photo and graphics division.
Software AG, Darmstadt,
Germany, is Europe’s largest system software provider and a major global player
offering cutting edge technology for data management and electronic business. Since 1998
the company has focused its development activities on XML products for the Internet. With
more than 2,600 employees and representatives in 60 countries, Software AG achieved sales
revenue of Euro 366 million in 1999. Its distribution and technology partners include
market leaders such as IBM, Microsoft and SCO as well as innovative IT solutions providers
like Extensibility, Softquad, The Breeze Factor and Instranet. Software AG’s products
control the central IT processes of thousands of renowned companies worldwide. Some
examples of these are Lufthansa, British Sky Broadcasting, ZDF, Dresdner Bank AG, Deutsche
Bahn AG (German Rail), BP and VIAG Interkom. Software AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange (MDAX, Security identification number 724260 / SOWG.F). |
