Software AG Case Studies Discovery Communications: IT & Business Alignment Award Winner

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	Discovery Communications: IT & Business Alignment Award Winner Software AG

Discovery Communications: IT & Business Alignment Award Winner

Software AG

Technology Category	Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries
Applicable Functions	Business Operation Sales & Marketing
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Discovery Communications, a global nonfiction media company, was facing challenges with its high-volume process of managing, reviewing, and renewing thousands of contracts a year. The process was previously based on email and spreadsheets, varied by region, and offered minimal opportunity for oversight, governance, and data mining. Management wanted greater visibility into the process to optimize revenue and ensure opportunities were not missed. The process had to be accessible and reliable for international and mobile sales as well as senior-level executives. Read More
About Customer	Discovery Communications is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company, reaching more than two billion subscribers in 223 countries and territories in 45 languages. Its 162 worldwide networks include Discovery Channel – the world’s most recognized TV brand, TLC and Animal Planet and joint-venture networks such as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The company has 4,500 employees in 50+ offices worldwide. In 2012, revenues were $4.487 billion, a significant portion coming from contracts with several thousand distributors. Read More
Solution	Discovery developed an automated international contracts management process called DORS—the Distributed Online Request System—using Software AG’s webMethods BPMS. DORS enables the necessary data entry and then automatically routes requests to the distribution operations team for review. Business rules are used to determine if and when additional routing to other Discovery groups is necessary. DORS has become a governance mechanism to enforce the new business process, policies and standards while supporting organizational change and user adoption. Built-in escalation measures ensure timely, accurate and complete processing. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Middleware, SDKs & Libraries

Applicable Functions

Business Operation

Sales & Marketing

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Discovery Communications, a global nonfiction media company, was facing challenges with its high-volume process of managing, reviewing, and renewing thousands of contracts a year. The process was previously based on email and spreadsheets, varied by region, and offered minimal opportunity for oversight, governance, and data mining. Management wanted greater visibility into the process to optimize revenue and ensure opportunities were not missed. The process had to be accessible and reliable for international and mobile sales as well as senior-level executives.

About Customer

Discovery Communications is the world’s #1 nonfiction media company, reaching more than two billion subscribers in 223 countries and territories in 45 languages. Its 162 worldwide networks include Discovery Channel – the world’s most recognized TV brand, TLC and Animal Planet and joint-venture networks such as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The company has 4,500 employees in 50+ offices worldwide. In 2012, revenues were $4.487 billion, a significant portion coming from contracts with several thousand distributors.

Solution

Discovery developed an automated international contracts management process called DORS—the Distributed Online Request System—using Software AG’s webMethods BPMS. DORS enables the necessary data entry and then automatically routes requests to the distribution operations team for review. Business rules are used to determine if and when additional routing to other Discovery groups is necessary. DORS has become a governance mechanism to enforce the new business process, policies and standards while supporting organizational change and user adoption. Built-in escalation measures ensure timely, accurate and complete processing.

Impact #1	Contracts are renewed weeks faster.
Impact #2	Teams in all regions are more productive using a formalized approach.
Impact #3	The automated process positions Discovery as a reliable, dependable and responsive partner and improves how the company manages everyday activities that are critical to the bottom line.

Impact #1

Contracts are renewed weeks faster.

Impact #2

Teams in all regions are more productive using a formalized approach.

Impact #3

The automated process positions Discovery as a reliable, dependable and responsive partner and improves how the company manages everyday activities that are critical to the bottom line.

Benefit #1	Discovery was able to develop the solution in only four months.

Benefit #1

Discovery was able to develop the solution in only four months.

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Overview

Discovery Communications: IT & Business Alignment Award Winner

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit