BBC Media Ensures Data Safety and Efficiency with Synology's Storage and Collaboration Solutions

We create and broadcast content which help improve people's lives across the world. High-capacity storage solutions, such as those provided by Synology and Seagate through our charity partnership, enable us to manage and store our media far more effectively. We are delighted to be entering into this partnership as it enables us to deliver our vital, often life-saving objectives.

Caroline Nursey OBE, Chief Executive Officer, BBC Media Action

The Challenge

Data loss, access limitations, file duplication, and lack of visibility for the main office

BBC Media Action currently has 16 offices scattered across areas of the world where connectivity and IT resources are limited. Their team was in desperate need to upgrade the overall storage facilities in the remote offices, and to ensure that valuable media assets are safe with the headquarters and protected with the latest technology.

The remote offices were using portable drives which made data more susceptible to being lost and non-retrievable. On one occasion, months of work were lost in an office fire. On top of that, multiple staff members regularly needed to access the same drive, which resulted in them having to take turns. As they would not know what was already stored on the devices, duplicated files and overwritten versions were a constant problem.

While each office manages shooting and editing their footage locally, the main office in London had no easy way to preview the rushes. This reinforced the need for a secure and reliable storage solution for the main office to gain greater visibility and control over important files.

The Solution

Implementing Synology RackStation as a central storage hub with DS units ensuring secure data management for remote offices

In Broadcast Video Expo London 2019, the BBC Media Action met with Synology representatives and learnt more of the Synology products and how they could help meet their needs.

Following in-depth consultancy, a 16-bay RS4017xs+ was implemented as their central storage hub in their London office. With Synology CMS, they were able to configure a further ten DS1819+ before shipping them to selected country offices, allowing local staff to have them up and running very quickly. These units were loaded with 10TB Seagate IronWolf HDDs.

Map of BBC Media HQ and global offices

Automatic, regular data backup is set up via Synology Hyper Backup, allowing the HQ to receive daily updates from all branches without adding any burden to the local staff.

Topology of Hyper Backup

The Benefits

Enhanced data protection and seamless collaboration and workflows

As a result of implementing Synology, the company now has peace of mind that all files are backed up to their central office in London, guarded with expert data protection plans. In the mean time, the local staff in each office can now collaborate easily and concurrently on the Synology server. Synology has enabled BBC Media Action to streamline their workflow, save on time and costs, and most importantly, let the staff focus on the really important missions.

The Customer

BBC Media Action is the BBC's international development charity. They believe in the power of media and communication to help reduce poverty and support people in understanding their rights. Their aim is to inform, connect, and empower people around the world.

BBC Media Action reaches more than 100 million people a year, helping them make sense of events, engage in dialogue and take action to improve their lives. They support media and communication efforts that strengthen governance, improve people's health, fortify the resilience of vulnerable groups and help them survive, and recover from, natural disasters and other humanitarian emergencies.

Media Entertainment

100-999

United Kingdom

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