EUREKA PROJECT > 4094 TOPSHOP
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Tourism offer packager shop for the sale of holidays through digital television interactive (DTVi)
TOURISM OFFER PACKAGER FOR THE PUBLISHING, AUTOMATIC PACKAGING AND RESERVATION OF HOLIDAYS THROUGH TERRESTRIAL AND CABLE DTVI USING MULTIMEDIA HOME PLATFORM (MHP) AND DATA OVER CABLE SERVICE INTERFACE SPECIFICATION (DOCSIS).
Status > FINISHED - 08-Apr-2010 Technological Area Market Area Start Date > 01-Jan-2007 Duration > 24 Months Participating countries > ITALY, SPAIN | Main contactLogitravel Ms. Eva Serrano > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Project Description
The TOPSHOP project belongs to the approved 'Content, creativity and personal development' thematic area of the EUREKA Tourism umbrella. TOPSHOP sets out to continue in the Balearic Islands' first steps in the emerging Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) technology, namely Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). The building of an innovative product catered to marketing and boosting the awareness within the tourism industry of the Balearic Islands of SPAIN will be aided by thorough research into the limits we can reach using this technology. TOPSHOP's objectives include the development of a Tourist Offer Packager (TOP) application for the grouping of multiple tourist services, broadcast using DVB technologies. TOPSHOP will be deployed as an interactive application using Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) to provide a user-friendly medium between the user and the Digital TV for the reservation of package holidays. TOPSHOP's proposed research will concentrate on the real possibilities of the following themes; - Implement a Dynamic Packaging service for the creation of custom-built holiday packages. - Employ T-Commerce for the purchase of Tourism products through DTVi. - Deploy entire customised TOPSHOPs to distinct regional and international TV stations for application individualism and station identity. The principal idea of the project is to provide a product whose main functionality will be to offer considerably better interaction with the TV audience with respect to the current products/services on offer. Above all, the possibility to make a reservation via DTVi. This will be carried out by offering a catalogue of tourism services. These will be provided by local travel agencies and tour operators, principally www.logitravel.com as the Project Coordinator, through which the user can navigate before selecting their chosen service(s) and making a reservation. Moreover, the research will aim to discover the potential of building a dynamic packaging system that would allow the user to create a custom-built holiday - at first in the Balearic Islands. This would be made possible by giving the user the opportunity of choosing between the components that best suit their needs, providing transparency for the process of dealing with many providers at once. The use of Web Services (WS) will be employed for the retrieval of information from sources on the web. Given the need for additional hardware and services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) may also be used in a middleman role to ease congestion and manage the retrieval and handling of information. The investigation also intends to explore the possibilities of applying T-Commerce within the scope of the project, allowing viewers the chance to be able to purchase goods and services packages with DTVi, via a return channel. Although primarily limited to creating applications selling pre-packaged products, the intentions of the dynamic packaging and T-Commerce investigations and rigorous testing programmes outline TOPSHOP's ambitions to become the complete TOP. TOPSHOP is aspiring to be a DTVi MHP application that will allow the user not only to create and reserve their own package holidays, but also to purchase them through their Digital TV Set. Keywords: DTT interactive, dynamic packaging, T-commerce.
Technological Development Envisaged
Until recently, the TV has remained quite static in its potential as a communication device, with limited abilities as an interactive portal of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), because the spectators accepted it. Who would have thought that they would one day have the possibility to 'converse' meaningfully and productively with it? The Digital TV aims to replace its Analogue counterpart throughout Europe by 2012. DTVi is currently opening a world first for the TV audience. This new TV form boasts not only the highest-quality image and sound, but also Interactive Services, testimony to its superior flexibility and efficiency. DTVi is revolutionising the concept of TV with the potential of audience participation. No longer will the TV actively communicate in mono-direction 'to' its passive audience, but attentively 'with' them. This project aims to allow the average TV spectator the possibility to navigate the TOPSHOP as if they were indeed walking around a Tourist Offer Shop and purchasing services through an agent. What was once low-resolution static teletext becomes glamourous and creative, with digital graphics, colours and textboxes for spectator interaction and personalised interfaces. The DTVi remote control with its ease of use, user input and control, and simple navigation instantly promotes self-assurance within the nervous PC (Personal Computer) novice as TOPSHOP aims to appeal to all audiences. DTVi is relatively young in Europe, with under 11m DTT Set-Top Box (STB) receivers in GERMANY, ITALY and FRANCE in 2006, with SPAIN and FINLAND also providing low numbers. The European Market is lacking in activity. The present market offers services such as pay-per-view (PPV) football, local Weather Forecasts, Games and Lottery, voting services and Electronic Program Guides (EPG). T-Administration, T-Government, T-Health and T-Commerce are all in progress, the latter exposing some high-tech solutions such as Smart Card and Electronic ID card technologies for user authentication and completion of reservations and purchases via Digital TV. All in all, TOPSHOP proposes the nurturing of these high-calibre front-runner technologies to provide a socio-technological breakthrough, an interactive portal through any digitally-abled television, a communication tool between user and client, and a user-friendly interface for the purchase of Tourism Services in the Balearic Islands. Interactive TV on the whole is a new and exciting concept currently being designed, implemented and experimented with. Innovation is part of it. Dynamic Packaging has been realised through the Internet. But transferring this powerful client-driven tool to the TV platform is still quite new. TOPSHOP intends to implement a leading Packaging System giving full control to the user in terms of variety, depth and type of Holiday. TOPSHOP will provide access to Inventory in real-time (RT) in 2 ways; for STB without a return channel, a provider's information will be given along with a reference number for each service. For STB with return channel however, the user will be able to communicate directly with the application having their own interests in mind. There will be full control over their actions and total flexibility through their TOPSHOP. TV content A La Carte! T-Commerce is relatively new and active in few European countries. This Project's research will include rigorous testing on different payment methods before selecting the most efficient for the inclusion in TOPSHOP. Not only will the sale of products via TV attempt to affect the way in which until now purchases have been made through the PC, it will attempt to redirect it. Through the integration of Dynamic Packaging, Personalised Interfaces, T-Commerce and Inventory Access in RT there is a technologically prosperous future ahead for the TV. An exciting new dimension is being created. Tourist destinations (the Balearic Islands in particular) are proving an increasing escape and leisure retreat, and TOPSHOP aims to be the leading nexus in this socio-technological evolution. The inconvenience of booting up a computer and understanding it (for the non-computer literate) is suddenly replaced by a known and reliable medium from the comfort of the sofa. The TV has been around for a long time and has never failed. In short, it is trusted!
Main contactLogitravel Ms. Eva Serrano > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
The organisation - a spin-off of the software firm Tool Factory - is an online travel agency specialising in Package Holidays, Flights, Hotels, Cruises, Ski and SPA breaks. It will assume the role of Project Coordinator of TOPSHOP and oversee all levels of operations from negotiations with providers to design of personalised interfaces. It will also be in charge of Market and Product Exploitation. LOGITRAVEL is ideal for the management of this project given its immediate impact and admirable success in the short time it has been in operation. Belonging to Tool Factory, a company specialised in using the web for the Tourism Sector, its continued success and involvement with high-profile companies such as the IBEROSTAR group and VIAJES IBERIA more than consolidates it as a reliable, productive and rising force in the field of Tourism via the Web. LOGITRAVEL knows market needs. With its vast experience dealing with Europe's nations, its knowledge and familiarity allows it the vision necessary to manage the design and development of the TOPSHOP. Its Tourism know-how offers it the scope with which it will apply detailed parameters and safeguards in the personalisation of each individual packager. Applying identity and individualism to each TOPSHOP is the key to breaking into distinct markets and through LOGITRAVEl's superior insight this can be expertly carried out. LOGITRAVEL will liaise with LTIM in an active investigation that will be carried out on the exciting topic of Dynamic Packaging. Already a hit on the web, it is an attractive prospect for TOPSHOP and will be researched with the end goals of integrating a dynamic packaging engine into the packager. LOGITRAVEL will design and contribute the appropriate Business Rules used. In the daily running and maintenance of www.logitravel.com, Tool Factory's own Web Services play a crucial part in providing instant updates and current data from its web sources in order to feed LOGITRAVEL with a wide selection of present offers on Hotels, Flights, Packages, Cruises and the like. As Web Services will play a key role in the retrieval of current information for the TOPSHOP, LOGITRAVEL�s many existing varieties will contribute to the building of TOPSHOP's WS, whether by direct modelling or used as mere ideas on potential characteristics. LOGITRAVEL will take control of Market Exploitation and Product Distribution. It will contact Digital TV Stations directly, and establish contact with local agencies that have direct contact with Digital TV Stations. Information Providers will be contacted on the basis that they offer Web Services in order to connect to their inventory and complete a reservation in RT. As Project Coordinator it will be LOGITRAVEL�s responsibility to oversee all negotiations with providers and as such it will take on the role of reaching agreements directly with providers - Economic Conditions and Uses of WS to name but a few. LOGITRAVEL will define the rules associated to the direct selling and dynamic packaging of services. It will also set the forecasts and business projections of the TOPSHOP, as well as designing a plan for internationalisation in 2008 throughout Europe.
Expertise
The organisation, an on-line travel agency, is a spin-off of TOOL FACTORY, a company specialising in the web applied to the Tourism Sector. TOOL FACTORY's first important project, which started in 2000, was the development and maintenance of the web sites of Tour Operators of the IBEROSTAR group (Iberojet, Vivatours, Solplan and others). In 2001, TOOL FACTORY started developing front-end Web applications for VIAJES IBERIA. In 2002, TOOL FACTORY entered the world of B2C (Business-to-Commerce); - www.viajesiberia.com - www.cavaltour.es - www.ciberviaxes.es - www.viajesonline.racc.es - www.blueviajes.es In 2003, TOOL FACTORY launched www.multiofertas.net In 2005, it launched www.logitravel.com, its own on-line travel agency with a wide range of products and integration with providers. LOGITRAVEL offers multi-products containing flights, hotels, cruises and package holidays. Its current form is a healthy indication for the immediate as well as long-term future, with; - turnover of 18 million euro - 550,000 registered users in SPAIN - 35,000 visits per day. LOGITRAVEL, through TOOL FACTORY, has developed on-line integration with multi-service providers and web commercialisation, such as the following; - Flights: Galileo, Amadeus, various low-cost. - Hotels: Beds-on-line, Transhotel, Europlayas, Solplan, Iberski, Rhodasol. - Package Holidays: Iberojet, Solplan, Vivatours. - Cruises: Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruceros, Costa Cruceros. - Snow, SPA, Health-Farms, Rural Houses and much more. LOGITRAVEL has developed a Pilot Application in collaboration with the UNIVERSITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS (UIB) for the commercialisation of flights by mobile phone. - It is using the communication layers of Galileo and the Low Cost airlines. - It has substituted a mobile adapted presentation for web presentation. - It is considering developing other product lines in the near future. LOGITRAVEL has developed a Pilot Application in collaboration with the UIB for the commercialisation of cruises over Digital TV. - It is taking advantage of commercial relationships with providers. - Business Rules and Communication Layers are the same. - It has substituted a TV adapted presentation for web presentation. - It has presented this application to various TV stations in SPAIN. With LOGITRAVEL's vast array of products and contributions to the Tourism Sector, its expertise and direct penetration of several markets in such a short time has brought a success that underlines its potential for the future penetration of the European Market. LOGITRAVEL's aim with TOPSHOP is to become one of the main players in DTVi applied to the tourist sector.
Main contactFUNDACION IBIT
Mr. Pedro Juan Planas Mulet > General Manager Organisation type > Research Institute |
Contribution to project
The Institute - a technological R+D+I centre - will undertake several key responsibilities in this project, playing on their wealth of Tourism experience and expert technological know-how. Research and Development has played a key role in IBIT'S continuity, driving it towards its goal of inspiring technologically innovative achievements in the Balearic Islands. Boasting quality Sun-Tourism know-how, given its years specialising in this sector, IBIT's vision and attention to detail will prove vital components in the identification of potential TOPSHOP product lines. IBIT will play a crucial role in the search for potential markets in which to deploy the TOPSHOP. Its ample knowledge of the Balearic Islands' market and its international tourist inflow will help to ensure sound and efficient advice on the most effective and productive personalisation of each individual TOPSHOP. IBIT will of course lend significant manpower in the development of the TOPSHOP, lending its vast experience in the building and maintenance of web services as used in the IBIT Hoteles application created with the BALEARIC ISLANDS UNIVERSITY (UIB). IBITҳ development of the AvantHotel Booking Engine in JAVA will provide a sound basis for its role as technological consultant. It will build a strategy based on that which it built for the AvantHotel. Its comprehensive background in the creation of Reservation Systems will help optimise its know-how in the construction of the TOPSHOP. And it is this experience that will allow IBIT to utilise the time-plan more efficiently in order to conduct the project's investigation alongside production. IBIT will subcontract the LABORATORY OF INFORMATION AND MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES (LTIM) which forms part of the UNIVERSITY OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS (UIB) in Mallorca, for the development and adaptation of the MHP (Multimedia Home Platform) standard, which allows the editing and packaging of services in DTT. Specialising in the R+D of new technologies applied to the Information and Multimedia Sector, the LTIM has worked and produced in the fields of Web Design, Web Development, J2ME applications for mobile phones and above all MHP applications for DTT. It currently has 16 employees, all experts and technicians in the field of Multimedia Development. Among these, 8 are doctors and/or professors of their discipline. The LTIM's role in the TOPSHOP project will be more of a technological nature. Given its growing reputation in producing leading new technological pilots and its background in developing DTT-MHP applications in particular, the LTIM will manage the technological creation of the TOPSHOP over MHP. Having recently built an MHP application for the promotion and sale of cruises, in collaboration with LOGITRAVEL, the LTIM has sufficient know-how for the structural creation of the TOPSHOP. Having WS provided by LOGITRAVEL and IBIT at its disposal, it will conduct the greater portion of R+D, namely in areas such as T-Commerce and Personalised Interfaces. Continues: see Expertise
Expertise
The Institute is a non-profit research centre, with wide experience in the tourism industry and above all in the leading innovative technologies sector. Its mission is to combine its expert knowledge in both these fields to promote, develop and transfer knowledge and innovation to support the incorporation of the Balearic Islands Society into the Knowledge Society and to increase competition within the region's enterprises. IBIT fulfils its task by focusing on the following key areas; - Innovation Dissemination (training, technological watching, workshops, etc.) - Technological Innovation Fostering - Pilot Application Development and Implementation (telecommunications and Internet services). The core competence of IBIT is centred on information and commercialisation systems for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and public administrations, and the dissemination of high-quality products at both national and international level, useful for the Balearic Island's enterprises and citizens. IBIT currently has 38 employees, 23 of whom are technicians and experts working in the following main areas; - Tourism and new technologies - E-business - Telecommunications - Services to the citizens - Knowledge transfer and management. The IBIT Foundation has taken part in over 35 R+D projects with over 100 companies and organisations involved, with around 20 of those projects having received funding from the EC through ESPRIT, Framework programmes (IV, V and VI), and INTERREG programmes. The rest of the projects have been co-founded by national and regional ministries of Science and Innovation. IBIT has also published monographs on topics related to new technologies and has successfully organised several courses, seminars and conferences. The IBIT Foundation has wide experience in helping SMEs and public administrations get the best out of ICT, mainly through international and national projects. Among its successes is the 'AvantHotel' Online Booking System for the Management, Publication and Marketing of tourist accommodation places via the Internet. It has proved quite an exciting and attractive engine with negotiations currently underway in PORTUGAL, BULGARIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND and GREECE. The ascendancy of this Balearic Islands booking engine has given IBIT the opportunity to create the Latin-American spin-off, 'iberAvanthotel' on-line reservation system. Successful projects such as the AvantHotel and iberAvantHotel booking engines have cemented IBITs status in Technological Innovation of the Balearic Islands' Tourist Sector. CONTRIBUTION: In terms of T-Commerce, the LTIM is currently a member of a project for the I.T. spin-off of El Corte Ingles, a leading Commercial Brand name throughout SPAIN. This project is due to begin in January of 2007 and will implement many different forms of Payment through Digital TV. All know-how gained from this project will be utilised as efficiently as possible in order to arrive at a viable and competitive T-Commerce solution for the TOPSHOP. Personalised Interfaces will be built using templates developed by the LTIM implemented according to each particular type of TOPSHOP built. Each version sent to each distinct television station or region will of course have its own individuality. The LTIM will also carry out joint research with LOGITRAVEL in order to investigate the potential and the difficulties in implementing a Dynamic Packaging structure within the TOPSHOP, with a view to giving total control and power to TOPSHOP's users. Specifically, the following services will be subcontracted to the LTIM: - MHP and CATV requirements analysis, for DTT and CATV respectively. - Design of Container and MHP graphical interfaces. - Development of a packager for adaptation of MHP graphical interfaces. - Technicians specialised in using the equipment and software (Carousel emulators and MHP & DOCSIS editors) necessary for developing and testing. - Participation in the exploitation plan of the project results, in order to have an influence on new lines of the product development. - Coordination of the MHP and DOCSIS developments of both the LTIM of the UIB and the TVDI laboratory of the UNIVERSITY OF VIGO.
Main contactToolfactory Mr. Ovidio Andres > General Manager Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
LOGITRAVEL will collaborate with the subcontracted LABORATORIO DE LAS TECNOLOGIAS DE INOFRMACION Y MULIMEDIA (LTIM) in the active investigation that it carries out in the Dynamic Packaging module with the final objective of integrating a Dynamic Packaging motor in the packager. With this, the Web Services created by TOOLFACTORY recently will play a crucial role in supporting information on the state of the art of WS. More specifically, they should be adaptable to the Open Travel Alliance (OTA) standards, as required by the TOPSHOP system. TOOLFACTORY will contribute its know-how in the tasks of requirements definition, analysis and design. Specifically it will be responsible for the tasks of Definition of Requirements and Implantation. TOOLFACTORY will take part in the specification of requirements of the system. It will detail the system's functionality from the user's point of view and support the definition of the system's structure and the different modules of the scope of the application along with the architecture and the product implantation. TOOLFACTORY will support the integration of the application developed over the defined architecture and carry out integration testing in the testing environment. TOOLFACTORY will prepare the project for its live execution, once the implantation testing phase is carried out successfully. TOOLFACTORY will also be in charge of the Final User testing (clients and travel agencies), which will include installation and testing of usage.
Expertise
The organisation started off as a company specialised in multimedia development, but soon after steered off towards web development. Its key moment was when the IBEROSTAR Group (Spanish tourism market leader) subcontracted TOOLFACTORY for all its web strategy. The company then started to grow, taking this project as a main axis, and started to become one of the most renowned companies in the tourism market. It manages 9 first level tourism websites in addition to the web department of ORIZONIA CORP (OLD IBEROSTAR GROUP). TOOLFACTORY's contribution to the TOPSHOP project is extremely important due to its experience in the development of interactive applications for final users, for its expanded experience in applications of dynamic information services on the Web, technological applications of search engines, resources optimisation engineering, and in general its experience in the development of technological innovation. TOOLFACTORY will offer its experience for the specification and development of the 'back office' system, above all, in the transactional modules of the client with the 'front office' and of the 'back office' with the providers� servers, where it has proven experience developing virtual travel agencies� products such as the IBEROSTAR website. This experience is crucial in guaranteeing the success of the applications over mobile terminals. TOOLFACTORY, as a technological development company, has a wide and qualified working group in programming technologies such as Java, JDBC (Java Database Connectivity), PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), JavaScript, a specialised group for the management of databases and another group that deals with user interfaces and development of multimedia applications. As a company, it is capable of developing applications from CD-Rom format and applications with extreme requirements (Feedback time, streaming servers, etc.). Since the creation of the company, notably since the second year, it has experienced exponential growth particularly due to the complexity of the multimedia applications development over the Web environment. The multioffers.net website consists of 105 suppliers who publish their offers daily, making as a result more than 7,000 active offers in the high season. TOOLFACTORY's negotiation capacity with enterprises is fairly evident. TOOLFACTORY has consulted and developed for the biggest suppliers such as Iberojet, Solplan, Turavia, Vivatours, Viamed, etc. The IBEROSTAR Group website maintained by TOOLFACTORY offers: - more than 20 different sites - an average of 30,000 entries per day, 70,000 via homepage - more than 450 million euro in 2004 - more than 30 pages/visit. The Iberia Holidays B2C service offers; - more than 20 different sites - an average of 30,000 entries per day, 70,000 via homepage - more than 450 million euro in 2004 - more than 30 pages/visit. The Cavaltour B2C service offers; - an average of 900 visits/day - 1.8m homepage hits - more than 10,000 people registered The blueviajes.es B2C service offers; - an average of 120 visits/day - 1.2m homepage hits - more than 3,000 people registered The Ibercajaviajes B2C service offers: - an average of 700 visits/day - 1.2m homepage hits - more than 2,000 people registered The ciberviaxes.es B2C service offers: - an average of 350 visits/day - 1.75m homepage hits - more than 2,000 people registered.
Main contactCMM - CENTRO MULTIMEDIALE DI TERNI S.P.A. MR. FABIO MORICONI > PROJECT MANAGER http://www.centromultimediale.it Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
Authentication authorisation solutions will be implemented by the CMM by means of return channel - modem and IP (Internet Protocol) address - in order to finalise the operations with an HTTPS protocol and close the T-Commerce operations. Research into smart-cards for application in the project will be conducted with the goal of finding or creating a reliable authentication solution for the TOPSHOP. The smart-cards studied will include; - Loyalty Cards; - Electronic Identification Cards; - Prepaid Cards; - Commercial Cards, VISA, 4B, etc. A smart-card allows the user to receive and store their permissions for accessing and receiving confirmations of all services on offer, for example, making a payment for contract services such as monthly mobile phone payments. In a world with increasing technical fraud and account breaches, the need for a strict and full-proof security platform is required to reduce the scepticism of the user. The research carried out in this project will study the few T-Commerce applications already developed on the European market with a view to experimenting with different standards and electing the prime solution for the TOPSHOP. The CMM's role in the TOPSHOP project will be based in the area of T-Commerce. They will study and implement the best Digital Payment System available. The aim of this part of the project is to implement a pilot experience where the communication channel represented by DTT could be used in a unique and innovative way. Furthermore, the project will allow a higher level of interactivity and matching of security requirements, such as those imposed by the banking business market. Continues: see Expertise
Expertise
The organisation (CMM) is a public company ('Comune di Terni' - Municipality of Terni and 'Regione Umbria' - Umbria Regional Government) operational since 1999. The CMM works as a centre of excellence and know-how in the sectors of ICT (Information and Communications Technology), entertainment and training in the new digital and multimedia industry and audiovisual and multimedia training and communication through a wide range of strongly innovative and technology-based projects. Integration between different business areas guarantees high level service in terms of a problem-solving approach and project management. CMM is a company in permanent evolution, facing new multimedia challenges in four macro-areas of activity: * Web & network * Audiovisual and multimedia production * Training and distance learning * Conference. In the audiovisual and multimedia production sector, CMM state-of-the-art technologies and facilities are able to provide a wide range of preproduction, production and post-production support services in the audiovisual area. - Digital intermediate post-production - 2D and 3D Virtual set - Computer graphics - 2D and 3D animation - Editing services. CENTRO MULTIMEDIALE DI TERNI joined several EU co-financed projects within the following EU programmes over the 2000-2006 period: - ERDF Innovative actions 2002-2003 (audiovisual digital intermediate post-production, digital platform for health network) - INTERREG III B/C medocc/cadses (audiovisual, tourism) - E-TEN (tourism) - MEDIA PLUS (distance learning). Other European projects in which the CMM participates as a technological partner are; * European Councils (CE) * e-government. Sector of interest: Public Administration Project objectives: implementation of a Telematic Service Centre of local public administration services for citizens and SMEs through a portal and multi-channel interactive contact centre. Interaction is guaranteed through advanced technologies (Internet, digital signature, national services card, certified mail, smart card, CIE) and through traditional tools (phone, mobile, fax). MMediauvis Interreg III B Medocc Sector of interest: audiovisual Project objectives: regional strategies for audiovisual sector development in the Mediterranean area: development of project ideas for strengthening the audiovisual market in the Mediterranean area: 3D animation, new skills, audiovisual interactive installations, archives, new channels of distribution. CONTRIBUTION: The project development is proposed under two different but complementary technological bases: PLATFORM A It is based upon STB use featuring an OUT channel towards a phone network through modem (V.90) or ISDN or broadband modem (ADSL). Applicable payment systems use a public phone network as a return channel: * Bankpass web At the users' bank, the user can open a virtual wallet - a 'wallet' - accessible through use of a user ID and password and linked to the user�s own credit card or teller. * Cartafacile (Easy Card) This is a prepaid card, which is secure and anonymous, and not linked to a checking account. This method uses a security system Telepay-Light released by SSB (Societa per I servizi bancari), used by all major credit cards (VISA, Mastercard, Diners, etc.). Every transaction is protected by cryptography SSL running 128 bit and a strictly personal password with a secret PUK. * Credit card Visa, Mastercard and American Express! The payment is forwarded through a server handled by BANCA SELLA, with the transaction security being Verisign certified. * POSTECOM (company owned by Poste Italiane) A virtual post office for postal payment slips through credit card, postal current account 'Bancoposta' or prepaid card PostePay (www.posteitaliane.it, www.postecom.it). The user authentication is made through the use of a smart-card. The card identifies a card ready for digital signature and it is a catalogue product of Postecom. PLATFORM B This platform is conceived through an STB able to use a mobile data network (GPRS transmission protocol) as a return channel, and a SIM card as an authentication device and payment device too, directly linked to a credit card mobile service. * Bankpass Mobile This is a service promoted by Italian banks that allows real time money transfers or payments of goods and services simply by sending an SMS from a user�s mobile. The platforms are not competitive among them, and can be easily integrated in order to satisfy every kind of need considering that the TV, home phone and mobile phone are nowadays available in every home.
Main contactConsultoria de Telecomunicaciones Optiva Media S.L. Mr. Valia Javier Merino Vallina > Project Manager Organisation type > SME |
Contribution to project
The TOPSHOP project involves the development of an MHP application, for distribution via DTT. With the objective of extending the distribution of the application to television by cable, OPTIVA MEDIOA S.L., which has ample experience in Digital Cable Television (CATV) since it was first used, has become a member of the project. The contribution of OPTIVA MEDIA S.L. consists of consultancy and support for adaptation of the application to the cable environment CATV, including post-validation of the product. It will also advise on the development of the interactive applications for its adaptation to the platforms of CATV. Within this testing, OPTIVA MEDIA S.L. will be in charge of validating that the developments carried out function over CATV, that the specifications of the OpenCable Applications Platform (OCAP) standard are fulfilled, and that the developments work in real surroundings as is the case of ONO in SPAIN. In addition, OPTIVA MEDIA S.L. will contribute its know-how and consultancy in the development of the final television applications for the user. Also, in the scope of CATV, OPTIVA MEDIA S.L. will participate in the commercialisation of the application. OPTIVA MEDIA S.L. will subcontract the services of the TVDI laboratory of the UNIVERITY OF VIGO, for the development and adaptation of the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) standard, which allows the editing and packaging of services in CATV. Specifically, the following services will be subcontracted: - CATV requirements analysis. - Design of Container and DOCSIS graphical interfaces. - Development of a packager for adaptation of DOCSIS graphical interfaces. - Technicians specialised in the use of the equipment and software (Carousel emulators and DOCSIS editors) necessary for developing and testing.
Expertise
Optiva Media is a consultancy company specialised in Digital Television, data transport on networks and Telecommunications and Media technologies integration. It was founded in November 2002 by an entrepreneurial group with ample knowledge about the Digital TV sector and the Telecommunications and Information Technologies world. The company’s success lies in its human team, which is extremely qualified with a high level of technological competence and significant market knowledge, as well as its position: it is a fully independent company, offering its clients the best approaches to the market. Therefore, the aim of Optiva Media is to generate value by means of innovation, to be the Consultancy and Technology Company that offers greater satisfaction to its clients, and to maintain its competitive advantage. We really believe in our clients’ satisfaction! Its commitment is defined by the quality and criterion independence, and by a real added value contribution in project execution. In order to achieve these objectives, Optiva Media targets an important part of its operative income to R+D+i, participating in public projects, national and international, and in joint ventures, looking for innovative solutions development that provides benefits to our clients. This way, Optiva Media makes its professional services compatible with the development of its own solutions. Optiva Media’s natural markets are audio-visual companies worldwide -broadcasters, operators, managers of content, producers, etc., taking advantage of the opportunities that offer the new broadband networks. Optiva Media bases the quality of its services on extensive knowledge of the following technological areas: - Video transport networks. - VOD, PPV and NvoD systems. - Voice on IP. - Contents Encoding platforms. - Interactive Digital Television. - Video on demand. - Set Top Boxes. - TV headends. - Conditional Access. - Middleware Platforms. - Interactive Programming Guides and applications.