On: Scaling the BBC iPlayer to handle demand

[bendtheblock]

I think some of the infrastructure maintenance (and maybe general development too) is outsourced. About a year ago I was on a service management training course in London along with some Siemens staff who were working on the iPlayer project.

[kiujygtyujik → bendtheblock]

Siemens took over the BBC's R+D depts as part of the outsourcing deal which means they now run pretty much all the technical services.

BBC outsources to Siemens,

This includes handing over all it's unique skills

Siemens, then bills the BBC for stuff it already knew how to do.

Management demonstrates with many Powerpoints how this is saving everybody money.

[flipbrad → kiujygtyujik]

When I worked a summer in a management consultancy we produced powerpoints for the BBC showing that it was a waste of money.

but don't let that trouble you.

[retube → bendtheblock]

Ah yes of course Siemens. They who provided the BBC's £2bn phone network - which apparently barely functions.