Background
Sony Entertainment partnered with BNMA to elevate the CRACKLE streaming platform with three vital projects that would enhance user accessibility, streamline content discovery, and provide a unified media experience. These enhancements required advanced technical expertise and careful alignment with Sony’s brand requirements.
The Challenge
BNMA was assigned three critical projects for the CRACKLE platform, each with its own set of challenges:
- Fortumo Payment System for Southeast Asia: Sony sought a reliable payment system to reach viewers in Southeast Asia, where diverse payment methods and local providers needed to be seamlessly integrated. The system required both secure transaction processing and a flexible architecture to handle future growth in user volume.
- Content Recommendation Engine: With an extensive library, CRACKLE needed an efficient recommendation engine to enhance content discovery and engagement. This system would analyze user interaction data to help organize and present content tailored to user preferences, optimizing the viewing experience.
- Cross-Platform CRACKLE Media Player: Sony’s goal was to provide a smooth, consistent media experience on all platforms, including iOS, Android, and Web. BNMA was tasked with building a media player that could deliver high-quality, reliable playback on any device, essential for CRACKLE’s wide and diverse user base.
BNMA's Solution
BNMA deployed modern development practices and tools to address these unique requirements:
- Fortumo-Based Payment System Using .NET Microservices: BNMA created a specialized Fortumo payment integration system using .NET Microservices. This setup provided the flexibility needed for high-volume transactions while accommodating various regional payment methods. By building a modular microservices architecture, BNMA ensured that future updates could be made seamlessly, adapting to new payment providers as needed.
- User-Centric Recommendation Engine: BNMA developed a recommendation engine that harnessed telemetry data to sort and organize CRACKLE’s extensive content library. The engine evaluated viewing patterns and user interactions to serve up personalized content. This recommendation engine not only increased user engagement but also supported CRACKLE’s objective of keeping users connected to content that matched their preferences.
- React-Based Hybrid Media Player: The BNMA team built a React-powered media player capable of providing consistent, high-quality video playback on iOS, Android, and Web platforms. The player included adaptive features to adjust quality based on network speed and device capability, ensuring uninterrupted streaming. This cross-platform player allowed CRACKLE’s viewers to enjoy a seamless experience regardless of device, meeting the demands of today’s mobile-first audience.
Results
BNMA’s solutions drove significant improvements in CRACKLE’s platform performance and user experience:
- Enhanced Payment System: With the Fortumo integration, Sony CRACKLE was able to streamline payments in Southeast Asia, simplifying the purchase process for users and increasing transaction efficiency across the region.
- Increased Content Engagement: The recommendation engine enabled a tailored user experience, presenting content based on viewing habits and preferences. This personalization drove user satisfaction and prolonged engagement, aligning with CRACKLE’s goal of becoming a go-to streaming platform.
- Seamless Multi-Platform Media Playback: The hybrid media player provided CRACKLE users with uninterrupted streaming across all devices. The adaptable React-based media player allowed for high-quality streaming under various network conditions, creating a unified viewing experience.
Technologies Used:
- Payment Integration: .NET Microservices, Fortumo for secure and flexible regional payment processing.
- Recommendation Engine: Telemetry data analysis for optimized content organization.
- Media Player: ReactJS for a hybrid solution across iOS, Android, and Web.
- Data Management: Azure Functions, Service Bus, Data Lake, and SQL Database to manage and process large volumes of data effectively.
Conclusion
This case study highlights BNMA’s expertise in handling multi-layered, high-demand projects within the entertainment industry. By applying a precise, modular approach to development, BNMA successfully advanced CRACKLE’s capabilities, enhancing the platform’s accessibility and engagement for users worldwide. The partnership demonstrated BNMA’s commitment to delivering custom, scalable solutions that align with the client’s strategic objectives and technical requirements.
