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CRV Multimedia Database

CRV – Multimedia Database

CRV Holding B.V. (CRV) is an innovative organization based in the Netherlands. It was established as an international center of excellence for animal husbandry and cattle improvement. In particular, the CRV aims to create added value for professional dairy and beef farmers . They do so by offering high-quality products and services. Alongside its home market, the CRV’s products and services are available in more than 50 countries.

An important part of CRV’s service is the maintenance of extensive cattle records (text, images and videos). They wanted to manage their photo archive in digital form, for direct use by online publications. To this end, we designed their Digital Photo Archive (DFA). The DFA was based on our Digital Asset Management software (FRS). Our engineers have since created their Multimedia Database (MMB). The MMB subsequently contains thousands of photos of dairy and breeding cattle. And hundreds of videos too. What’s more, the MMB is fully integrated within the CRV network infrastructure and workflows.

CRV Multimedia Database – Web Application
CRV Multimedia Database – Web Application

Manage files with a unique database

With the Multimedia Databank (MMB), the CRV can automatically import multiple images. In a variety of formats. Our software first compresses them, then stores them centrally in different resolutions. It also automatically adds attributes, and couples source descriptions to the images. Especially relevant, we can enrich the data using links that we make with other data sources within CRV.  Authorized employees can then update this information using a custom web application we developed. What is more, they can add or update further attributes associated with each animal. And finally, they can make selections from the database contents (including photos, videos and descriptions). They can then share these selections with CRV partners worldwide.

Because we store the files in an Oracle database, MMB is stable, fast and reliable. Moreover, the use of Oracle Text means that CRV employees can use 40 different search attributes to  find the right material.

Manage files with a unique database

With the Multimedia Databank (MMB), the CRV can automatically import multiple images. In a variety of formats. Our software first compresses them, then stores them centrally in different resolutions. It also automatically adds attributes, and couples source descriptions to the images. Especially relevant, we can enrich the data using links that we make with other data sources within CRV.  Authorized employees can then update this information using a custom web application we developed. What is more, they can add or update further attributes associated with each animal. And finally, they can make selections from the database contents (including photos, videos and descriptions). They can then share these selections with CRV partners worldwide.

Because we store the files in an Oracle database, MMB is stable, fast and reliable. Moreover, the use of Oracle Text means that CRV employees can use 40 different search attributes to  find the right material.

CRV Multimedia Database – Web Application

At BSL, you have come to the right place for…

Multilingual database

The CRV Multimedia Database is multilingual in every respect. Firstly because the interface is available in several languages. But users can translate the contents too. And carry out searches in different languages as well. This means the CRV can share its unique database contents with international subsidiaries and partners. Colleagues and customers worldwide have secure, fast access to its photo archive and film material.

Database expertise

We have years of experience working with multimedia database solutions. And our modular approach makes us flexible. Which means we have the expertise to integrate our solutions with your current infrastructure. Our developers have created links between the Multimedia Database (MMB) and the International Cattle Information System (IRIS). With one press of a button, our software first reads data from the IRIS system. Next it couples the data to individual images. In addition, the MMB registers studbook records, breeding values, and milk production figures. This link therefore not only saves time. It also ensures that CRV employees have continual access to up-to-date and accurate data.

Intelligent search engines

BSL has expertise with many search and business intelligence technologies. These include Autonomy, ExaleadOracle TextElastic Search and Sybase FTS. Which means we can index the entire contents of documents. To do so, we use language intelligence and semantic search techniques to recognize words, sentences, concepts and synonyms. Applying these technologies, we can therefore find and select the most relevant information. Even from millions of documents.

“We gave the Multimedia Database an extra dimension when we rolled it out for use by the CRV.  I’m referring to the multi-lingual support. But also the additional features we developed. In particular, how we helped support the CRV’s workflow. One of the main challenges was to implement the product so that all departments had optimum benefit from the database.  And to ensure it became part of their daily work processes.”

Eric

Software Architect, Bright Side of Life

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