Sports fans score faster results with Progress Software

Business Wire, Nov 19, 2008

-Cross-platform hurdles overcome by Progress Software's SonicMQ-

LONDON -- Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS), a global supplier of application infrastructure software used to develop, deploy, integrate and manage business applications, today announced that the British Broadcasting Corporate (BBC) is delivering live sports using technology from Progress Software. The SonicMQ enterprise messaging system was successfully used during the Beijing Olympics to quickly and accurately produce and format the medals table on the BBC sport website, which attracted up to 1.3 million users a day.

The broadcaster introduced the system in January for horse racing results on its website, Ceefax and interactive TV services. It is currently being rolled out for the soccer pages so fans can access current statistics for live scores, results, tables, fixtures and match commentaries as quickly as possible.

The SonicMQ's data management and deployment infrastructure allowed for content from external sports data providers to syndicate internally within the corporation. It also translated content so it was suitable for a number of digital platforms, including mobile and SMS.

Before the implementation of SonicMQ, the broadcaster was using a messaging solution which comprised of Open Source and in-house applications and, which processed data sequentially.

SonicMQ is the industry's most robust and resilient standards-based enterprise messaging system, delivering unmatched service availability, high performance, exceptional management capabilities and unsurpassed scalability for vast and sophisticated enterprise deployments.

Dr. Giles Nelson, CTO EMEA Progress Software, said: "The new Sonic MQ based system - which is replacing an existing in-house solution - should ensure a superior service for the regular three million daily users of the corporation's sports site."

He said: "Progress sent in consultants to ensure the smooth running of the project and decided on how the technology could best be implemented. It's marvellous to see that this project is working so well for the BBC and that it can withstand the massive rush of interest stimulated by sporting success, such as the Team GB performance at the Beijing Olympics. It means that people all over the world can now access the latest, most up-to-date stats as their favorite sport takes place."

About BBC

The BBC exists to enrich people's lives with great programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain. It provides a wide range of distinctive programmes and services for everyone, free of commercial interests and political bias. They include television, radio, national, local, children's, educational, language and other services for key interest groups. The BBC is financed by a TV licence paid by households. It does not have to serve the interests of advertisers, or produce a return for shareholders.

About Progress Software Corporation

Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS) provides application infrastructure software for the development, deployment, integration and management of business applications. The Apama platform is powered by the world's most advanced and widely used complex event processing (CEP) technology, which allows traders, regulators and exchanges to instantly and continuously analyze, evaluate and respond to market events in real-time. Our goal is to maximize the benefits of information technology while minimizing its complexity and total cost of ownership. For further information, please visit www.progress.com or +1-781-280-4000.

Progress and Apama are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation or one of its affiliates or subsidiaries. Any other trademarks or service marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.