Portfolio Skills

Delve into our background: Browse through a selection of our projects based on our skills and see some of the innovative software, applications and web services we have created for and with our clients. We develop for many platforms and work with Windows, UNIX, Linux and OS X servers.

Unique video-wall for a reception area

Unique video-wall for a reception area

by | Apr 20, 2019

Unique Video-Wall

Reception Area

Unique video-wall for a reception area

Our client is an international company that offers smart, secure and hassle-free online payment solutions for consumers and businesses. They wanted a unique video-wall in their new reception area – one covering most of the wall. So they asked BSL to make a proposal. We have designers and developers in-house to design and script custom web applications designed for a range of browsers – and for almost any screen. However, never before for a screen of 3840 x 6480 pixels. The challenge here is to create a smooth flowing animation that can run on such a large screen area. They also wanted a number of special functions, such as:

• introducing custom logos for clients and prospects
• delivering personal messages to clients and prospects
• adding dynamic video content as picture-in-picture.
 
The video-wall software is a custom web-application, optimised for Chrome running on Windows computers. However, we’ve also tested the system with Safari and Firefox.
Video-wall designed by BSL

The development…

We started by creating several alternative designs for the video-wall. Once we had an approval for one of the designs, we started developing the web application. One of the challenges is optimizing a dynamic video display that can run smoothly at 60 frames per second on such a large screen. The development took around three to four weeks, but as the client urgently needed to have something running when they moved offices, we delivered an initial release during the first week. We hosted these early releases on servers located here in Breukelen. We delivered several versions, asking for client feedback on each new release. As the web application neared completion, we created a management interface. Using this, they can add custom messages, graphics and backgrounds to the video-wall. This means they can welcome individual clients/prospects, and change the look of the video-wall.  Once the software was completed, we installed the web server and the management interface on site.

The project is a great example of a continuous delivery process that actively involves client stakeholders. Delivering incremental releases that can be reviewed and improved, together with the client. 

Video-wall designed by BSL

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

Unique solutions

OK, we love a challenge. And unique developments such as the video-wall fit nicely into this category. The client had very clear requirements, and there was no off-the-shelf solution, particularly given the need to support such a large screen area. Bring your unique project to us, and we will go through the options with you. Usually we can make a fixed cost design and build proposal, and guarantee delivery. So totally risk-free!

Long-term relations
One-off projects are welcome, but we always hope to create a partnership with clients. Almost like your own in-house team. The client supplies their business knowledge and requirements – and we use our development skills to advise you, and deliver your new products. And by continually renewing our technology, we can build on each success. Delivering new releases that meet your changing needs.
Agile and flexible
We encourage the incremental delivery of software in multiple Sprints. Starting with a minimal viable product, then gradually introducing features in subsequent releases. This means that clients don’t need to become bogged down in the design and testing of complex releases. We can design, build and quickly deliver an initial version, and then add new features at your own tempo. It helps you to manage your budget, and speeds up delivery.

“This project presented a number of challenges. How about developing for three linked UHD screens, and a resolution of 3840 x 6480 pixels? Creating a smooth 60 fps animation whilst refreshing visitor information means that you need to spend a lot of time optimizing the code. But – quoting the A-team – I love it when a plan comes together!”

Roderick

Front-end Developer, Bright Side of Life

Get in touch for more information
Call BSL
Contact BSL
Financieele Dagblad – News, Image and Audio Archive

Financieele Dagblad – News, Image and Audio Archive

by | Apr 19, 2019

Financieele Dagblad

The financial news source for the Netherlands

Financieele Dagblad Multimedia News Archive (NIA)

The Financieele Dagblad (FD) is the “Dutch” Financial Times. So first of all they focus on the economy, and business news. Furthermore, they produce in-depth financial reports, background studies and analyses. While their own journalists and photographers are key to the FD brand and style of journalism, they also use content delivered by press bureaus (such as Reuters or ANP). Consequently they receive more than 3000 photos and articles each day from these sources.

BNR (part of the FD Mediagroep) prides itself on providing the most ‘up-to-the-minute’ radio news service in the Netherlands. BNR reports on news from both home and abroad, the financial world, politics and sport.

The combination of print and radio journalism presents a number of challenges. So when the Financieele Dagblad decided to create their own editorial system, they came to BSL. We designed and built a custom content management system: the NIA (News, Image and Audio archive).

financieele dagblad
Copyright Het Financieele Dagblad

BSL designs and develops an editorial system

Working together with the Financieele Dagblad, we created their NIA (News, Image and Audio Archive). First of all we introduced processes that import the stream of content that they receive each day. Thousands of images, videos, text articles, and artwork delivered from press bureaus. Likewise content provided by their own photographers and journalists. We store this content using Sybase ASE. As a result we can use Sybase FTS indexing technology to make searching for content fast, and flexible. After the initial introduction, we extended the system, importing and indexing audio produced by BNR (Business News Radio).
 
Financieele Dagblad news editors can create search profiles, describing the the content in which they are interested. As a result the NIA can automatically deliver matching images and text to their browser. The FD journalists then use the integrated text editor (along with a built-in  spelling and grammar checker) to write new articles. The text we select from their feeds is available, making it easy to copy/paste content, or to check their articles against external sources. When complete, the NIA exports the final text, alongside cropped and scaled images chosen by the photo editors. While the NIA was designed initially for print, new articles can also be sent to the FD website. Finally, published articles and pages are stored as text and PDF’s in the NIA. Creating an archive of published content.
Copyright Het Financieele Dagblad

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

Search expertise

BSL has 20 years experience of advanced search and business intelligence technologies. These include Autonomy, Exalead, Oracle Text, Elastic Search and Sybase FTS. As a result, users can also quickly and easily make partial matches, combine search terms using and/or and apply wildcards. We can even support linguistic techniques designed to extract the meaning from content. These technologies ensure that we can find and select the most relevant information, even from millions of documents. Applying this technology, the NIA offers the Financieele Dagblad journalists fast and secure access to all their news and multimedia content.

Robust technology

News is a 24hr business. Hence software such as the Financieele Dagblad NIA must be available 24 hours a day. Importing new content, and managing the editorial workflow. Consequently our web applications are designed to be robust. Likewise, our experienced developers are familiar with the latest demands of Internet security. So we are familiar with using tools such as Veracode and Fortify, to keep your content private, and your users safe.

Long-term support

When a software product has entered production, users need long-term support and maintenance. Hence we offer clients a range of flexible support services. These can include many options such as 24/7 availability, guaranteed response times, and on-site visits. All at a fixed annual cost.

Probably the biggest challenge with this type of project is the steep-learning curve. In this case, learning about the type of content, the editorial workflow, and the needs of journalists. Consequently BSL has developed unique skills in picking up the information needed to design and create custom solutions. Why don’t you get in touch to discuss your next project?

Caroline Bos

Relation Manager, Bright Side of Life

Get in touch for more information
Call BSL
Contact BSL
FD News and Image Archive Brochure

FD News and Image Archive Brochure

by | Aug 5, 2015

FD News and Image Archive Brochure

FD News and Image Archive

The Financieele Dagblad (FD) is the Dutch equivalent of the Financial Times. They focus on financial and economic news, background information and analyses. They also own a radio station (BNR). This provides up-to-the-minute financial news around the clock. FD editors make frequent use of the thousands of financial reports and news items that arrive each day from press bureaus. Their photo editors are responsible for commissioning and selecting the best possible images, also using press bureaus, and in-house resources. These images are used in print, and on the FD website. Keeping up-to-date with this constant stream of content is their number one priority. BSL was asked to develop an editorial system that could support their editors, and to archive the articles, images and broadcasts produced each day. The result – the FD’s News and Image Archive (NIA).
(more…)

ING Image Bank Brochure

ING Image Bank Brochure

by | Aug 4, 2015

ING Image Bank Brochure

ING Image Bank

The ING Group, an international financial organization, was searching for a solution to efficiently manage all its digital material, including brochures, graphics, images, and house style information. BSL was therefore asked to design and develop the ING Image Bank, a custom-made system based on BSL’s FRS software. The ING Image Bank manages tens of thousands of multimedia assets, including house style information and complete brochures, as well as images. The ING not only used this database to manage their assets, but also use the system to deliver collections of design information and images to their design partners, and publishers.
(more…)

Contact BSL
Contact BSL