Scope of the EasyChannel for Content project

The primary idea of the project is to develop a prototype system and service that, when fully implemented, will bring together the creative resources of the region and make them commercially available over a variety of network technologies, addressing a range of terminal device types and hence providing the widest possible channel to market.

The full system will create a common source for creative output from the region which will act as a showcase as well as a common point for distribution. The proposed solution will optimise each experience for TV, mobile, PDA and PC. In this way, the creative output, suitably packaged for marketing and e-commerce transaction, will be available for all potential users of that output. This establishes the opportunity for opening up markets over TV and mobile as well as traditional PC internet usage, thus maximising the use and re-use of the resource.

A significant key to growing successful commerce using ICT is to engage the users’ interest, create a suitable opportunity for interaction, and provide the means for fulfilment.

The project seeks to:
• understand how this may best be achieved
• scope and define the core system capabilities which will consequently allow businesses to interface and use the system with minimal input

The aim for this first-stage project is to provide a prototype system that is easy to use for both the provider and the user. Neither need make significant adjustment to their systems to take advantage of the resource provided. The creative industries gain a showcase for their work, a common point for all users, all enquirers, to gain access to all the output with the whole environment geared to maintaining IPR, privacy and commercial integrity.

After development of the prototype, the project will seek to integrate content from selected partners from within the region's creative community. This will be integrated into the demonstrator around the autumn of 2005.

While a server for the prototype (and subsequently the demonstrator system) will be housed at a DMU site, the service will be available throughout the region and beyond via the Internet, linking out to other networks such as mobile phone, radio and Television. Future iterations of the service could have servers sited at Council, emda or other suitable regional premises, as desired, as well as servers within commercial entities that may be licencing or running the service.

This will then be used as the model to enable other industries or organisations to embrace multi-platform output. So, for instance, local government, education, food or the tourism industry could use the same methodology to ensure that their resources are available to all users irrespective of their media preferences, web, TV, mobile phone etc..