04.04.2024
BCE: we evolve and support our customers
Message from Frédéric Fiévez, COO (Chief Operating Officer) at BCE.
When BCE was established in the year 2000, our main objective was clear – to provide the market with our unparalleled expertise in media technology. From the very beginning, we set out to be innovators, leading the charge in transforming the industry.
We took the bold step of becoming the first European technology provider to abandon tape-based workflows, embracing a tapeless environment throughout our entire production and broadcasting processes. And when we moved to RTL City, we achieved yet another significant milestone by becoming the world’s first company to transition our complete infrastructure to IP.
During the first decade of the new millennium, BCE revolutionized the media industry by introducing a secure file-based distribution system, replacing outdated Betacams and tape systems. This innovative approach allowed seamless content sharing among multiple senders and receivers, reducing costs and accelerating time to air.
Collaborating with ENEX, we created STEP CMS, a versatile system managing feeds from satellite, broadcast, and file distribution sources. BCE’s rich software development history includes solutions in TV traffic, rights management, mass digitization, and news automation.
Our groundbreaking StudioTalk solution transforms radio, enabling TV-like shows while preserving the essence of radio, already integrated by industry leaders like RTL Radio, FunRadio, RTS, NRJ, RSI, among others.
As the media landscape evolved, traditional broadcast systems no longer perfectly matched the market’s needs. Smaller companies struggled to afford dedicated playout systems, and while multi-playout platforms existed, they still fell short in certain areas. Responding to these challenges, BCE developed a channel-in-a-box solution that served as a main channel or disaster recovery platform. Over time, this solution has evolved into today’s virtual/cloud alternatives, continuously progressing towards FAST workflows.
With the advent of cloud solutions, BCE adeptly integrated these new workflows into our systems and solutions.
However, it wasn’t merely a matter of jumping on the bandwagon. We harnessed the power of the cloud intelligently, exemplified by the development of Holovox, a voice-over solution that allows remote voice-over additions to any program.
Through our collaboration with esteemed customers like L’Equipe, sportscasters can seamlessly provide voice-overs for events from anywhere, armed with just a laptop, a headset, and an internet connection.
This innovation has exponentially increased L’Equipe‘s content production, delivering more engaging experiences to its subscribers.
Our customers will be able to create their workflow online, assembling BCE services to craft the perfect solution that aligns with their unique needs. These services and solutions will be accessible within the same ecosystem, empowering our customers to effortlessly evolve with the market and our ever-improving offerings. We are bringing a level of flexibility that has been lacking in the media market.
In addition to the innovative workflow builder and evolution system, our customers will have full access to a comprehensive dashboard, providing real-time information about ongoing services, integration, and systems. For instance, in the case of streaming or broadcasting, they will have a live view of their feeds and their distribution, including geo-targeting and content delivery.
Customer support lies at the very heart of this system, with a deep focus on building strong relationships. Each customer will be assigned a contact person who will closely follow their journey, ensuring they always have the support they need. Through the dashboard, our customers will be able to directly contact BCE.
But our commitment to our customers goes beyond relationships; it extends to their skills and growth.
Transparency is paramount to us, and thus, we have ensured that our customers can easily adjust their services to align with their targets and evolve alongside us.
We are witnessing an era of evolution and empowerment. This is what BCE stands for – empowered, together. It is not merely a tagline; it is a philosophy we embrace whole-heartedly.
Media-as-a-Service.
This marks an important evolution for BCE, as it signifies that all our solutions and services are available through a one-stop-shop.
We firmly believe that our new platform will make our partners and customers stronger, providing them with the flexibility required to thrive in a rapidly changing market. Together, we will conquer new frontiers, leveraging emerging technologies, cloud systems, interactivity, sustainability, and security.
As our customers evolve, we will continue to provide exceptional system integration. We understand that evolving alongside our customers means empowering them with the best infrastructures, supporting their technology decisions, and fostering seamless relationships with other technology providers in the market. BCE strongly advocates for the inclusion of other technology partners in the media and technology microcosm.