In the Development stage iTV operators have a choice of purchasing Digisoft’s existing or custom-built iTV applications or using the public API to build applications using the Sub-Systems provided by DigiHost. The public Application Programming Interface (API) from DigiHost allows all future interactive applications whether developed by Digisoft, in-house, other Application Developers or Authoring Tool providers to re-use DigiHost’s Sub-Systems for payment, messaging, advertising, profiling, measurement and so on. This helps to reduce the overhead of multiple installations and integration, third party application development costs and also minimises disruption caused by repeat installations.

Administration of iTV applications is greatly simplified, as DigiHost is a browser-based system that allows role-based access controls for relevant staff to perform their tasks independently and remotely. Advertising managers can be empowered to add, edit, schedule and deploy advertisements and campaigns only, while iTV administrators can configure all system settings such as payment providers and settings, return channel settings, Playout system settings and can even install and manage all the integrated interactive applications. This simplifies the day-to-day management of the ITV operator’s iTV service.

DigiHost links to the iTV operator’s existing broadcast play-out system(s) simplifying the Deployment of iTV applications. This means that no changes are necessary in the play-out system, greatly reducing the risk of deploying iTV services and keeping new interfaces and technical developments to a minimum. The Playout Sub-System passes the iTV applications and their content via the broadcast stream to the set-top box. DigiHost’s reusability also allows iTV operators to deploy new iTV applications across multi-technologies simultaneously, with minimal cost and time requirements. This strongly supports migration policies to new technologies such as MHP.

DigiHost supports iTV applications functions such as payment and messaging by channelling requests made through the API. The API allows applications to access each Sub-System, as required by the application, for example calling requesting an message send or, when necessary, forwarding requests to the payments Sub-System to handle credit card transactions securely. DigiHost also stores profile information on the requests made by a viewer and manages the return channel settings for each application.

Transaction fulfilment in T-Commerce, Messaging and Information applications is processed through DigiHost, which securely connects to the servers of third party content providers to make transaction requests and return the information requested, final status or reference to the viewer. This increases the security of the information and also means that the existing third party servers need not be changed for iTV, as DigiHost will integrate with their current set-up. DigiHost supports the secure payment for iTV T-Commerce transactions in run-time using the return path.

In order to measure the effectiveness of iTV services, business managers can tailor and produce detailed reports on the success, requirements for change, financial situation or usage of iTV applications at any stage using DigiHost’s Measurement and Financial Sub-Systems. This allows the operator to maximise efficiency of the iTV service in order to make design changes to improve the performance of the services at any stage. Documents and reports can also be generated including t-commerce invoices, performance, usage behaviour, advertising invoices, and periodic financial reports for management accounting and return on investment.