Global Information Source Processing

Client

Factiva (a Reuters/Dow Jones company)

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Project description:

Factiva, the Princeton based Reuters/Dow Jones joint venture, receives hundreds of "feeds" news and publications in a variety of formats, sizes and qualities. Input formats include XML, Quark, HTML, IPTC, MS Word and sundry specific text formats. Altcom's software filters processes the incoming feed formats to accommodate their eccentricities and extract key information such as headlines, dates, bylines and content coding information. These elements are mapped to the correct tags within the Factiva online database generating XML content which is then autocoded with meta data using complex taxonomical rules and made available to customers via the web.

The large volume of data means that the software filters need to work automatically and apply routine checks on data-quality. This requires the software to be very robust.

altcom works remotely by linking to host systems in London and Princeton over a secure link from its T1 broadband connection in Penzance. Regular conference telephone and video liaison with Factiva staff in London, Princeton, Barcelona and Singapore has been a prerequisite for successful project management and execution.

In all contracts with Factiva altcom has delivered on time and within budget against tight timescales. Project management was carried out by David Wilcox at altcom.