Martin Stanford puts the new Fujitsu Siemens Computers Tablet PC to the test for Sky News Today

- Working mobility solution keeps Sky News presenter connected to key information sources during Sky's three-hour morning news programme

When you're presenting one of the lead shows on a 24/7 news channel, the ability to stay connected to a wide range of information sources is critical.
 
Martin Stanford is one of the UK's leading news broadcasters, co-hosting Sky News Today - Sky's new three-hour morning news programme, which aims to bring viewers closer to the news through interactivity. During the show, viewers are able to text and e-mail their comments, as well as vote on the hot topics of the day via Sky News Active - the world's first interactive news television service.
 
For much of the programme, Martin is based on his own in front of Sky News' impressive seven-metre long video news-wall. According to Martin: "When you're on stage in front of Sky's video wall you're very much on your own - particularly when you don't have the computer access you normally get when you're behind a desk. For me it means being cut off from vital news-feeds, programme running order details and other key sources that are such an important part of news broadcasting today."
 
For a typical Sky News broadcast, the presenter has a clipboard with the running order displayed and a selection of scripts and other papers. In addition Sky runs Avstar's iNews software on its PCs, giving newsreaders access to the latest newswire stories from Press Association and Reuters. Sky News is obviously committed to breaking news, and getting the big stories out first is always an important concern. Last week for example, Sky broke the story about the acquittal of Princess Diana's butler a full two minutes ahead of the BBC!
 
Putting the Tablet PC to work
Martin has always had a keen eye for the latest technology - ever since his early days in radio broadcasting. He has kept a close eye on evolving computer technology during his ten years at Sky News, including a period as presenter of the station's 'Technofile' technology news magazine.
 
"I like to keep in touch with what's going on in the IT world, so when I heard that Microsoft was about to launch its Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, it seemed like an ideal 'mobility' solution for Sky News Today. During the show I do have a notebook PC positioned at the end of the news-wall, but it's often inconvenient - and less than brilliant TV - to have to walk across to the edge of the screen and start stabbing away at a notebook keyboard just to find out what's going on!
 
"What impressed me most about the Tablet PC concept was that here was a real working tool that a presenter could easily use while walking around in front of the video wall. I also knew we'd need to use a Tablet PC connected using secure wireless LAN technology, so I wasn't interested at all in the larger Tablet PC devices with integral keyboards as they would be too bulky to use during the show.
 
"After trying one of Fujitsu Siemens Computers' Stylistic ST Series Tablet PC models, it was clear that here was a new device that could quickly become a real working mobility solution for Sky News. What's great about the Fujitsu Siemens Computers' Tablet PC is that it seems to be designed for real world operation, and you can see that, with features such as a magnesium casing and a disk drive protected by shock absorbers, the company clearly has a lot of experience in building pen tablet PCs. The Stylistic ST is just right for working while standing and walking, and with up to five hours of battery life, it's great for our three hour show," he continued.
 
"Now with the new Fujitsu Siemens Computers Tablet PC linked via secure wireless LAN technology, I've got a completely mobile PC system that can give me all the functionality of a standard Sky News PC, but without being tied to a desk. In practical terms, the benefits are clear: I can keep a watch on the running order and script material, and also look out for urgent news which our iNews software flags in red to stand out from the other PA and Reuters wires.
 
"I can also look out for relevant viewers e-mails, and we'll also see whether it's possible to use the Tablet PC to run Skystrator, our graphics software that will allow us to illustrate key features up on the video wall - particularly those stories where it's really important to convey scale and detail."
 
Martin Stanford believes the Tablet PC will add real value to Sky's morning news show, effectively giving him the power and flexibility of a standard desktop PC while on the move. He's also pleased that Fujitsu Siemens Computers has over ten years' experience in building and implementing pen tablet solutions. "When I'm on air we can't afford any interruptions, so our IT networking team has specified the highest levels of wireless networking security. It's obviously too soon to talk about long-term reliability, but I'm certainly impressed with the build quality - that's important for us at Sky, because you can't get more business-critical than live TV broadcasting!"
 
About Fujitsu Siemens Computers:
Fujitsu Siemens Computers is the leading European computer company, drawing on the strengths and the innovative power of its parent companies - Fujitsu Limited and Siemens AG. Fujitsu Siemens Computers offers a full range of solutions for enterprise computing, from best-in-class Intel- and Unix-based servers to a comprehensive portfolio of storage systems. The company is also a leading provider of secure mobile computing products, PCs and workstations to business customers, and the number one supplier of computers for home users in Europe.
 
The company's strategic direction is focused on Mobility and Business Critical Computing. With its vision of 'Powering the Information Age', Fujitsu Siemens Computers' world-class computer technology and innovative IT infrastructure solutions help people to freely access information and services anywhere and at any time.

 
For further information, please visit: www.fujitsu-siemens.com.
 
UK PR Contact
Marisa Reynolds
Marketing Communications Manager
Fujitsu Siemens Computers
Tel: 01344 47 5811
E-mail: marisa.reynolds@fujitsu-siemens.com