The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry acts on the behalf of the international recording industry. This large organisation acts for 1,500 record producers and distributors in 76 countries worldwide.

Overview

The IFPI Secretariat is responsible for co-ordinating international strategies in the key areas of the organisation's work, such as anti-piracy enforcement, technology, legal strategies, litigation and public relations. It also lobbies governments and has representation in international organisations.

Based in London with links to regional offices in Brussels, Hong Kong, Miami, Moscow, etc. the Secretariat is the recording industry's most authoritative source of market research and information, providing a comprehensive range of global industry statistics.

The Requirements

• The IFPI required internal systems that would enable them to achieve several goals:
• Dissemination of information to a wide global user base.
• Enable regional offices to coordinate and collaborate on a global issue within the music industry.
• Allow regional offices to work together in a joint effort to produce several of their annual reports.

The Solution

Country File Database

The first of our solutions was to aid the IFPI in distribution of their Country File documents. They traditionally had a Microsoft Word system that consisted of individual files that contained Music Market information on each country. Users would either call or email the IFPI with requests for this information and someone there had to collate the documents and send them out.

The first evolution of the system had a lot of functionality which allowed users to create custom documents from any of the data within the system. We also had an audit function within the initial system and after a two years of the old system being online the Market Research Department conducted a review of the Audit. They found that a lot of the functionality which was there wasn't being used. Using the information gained from the Audit Trail we were able to surmise the key functionaality required and create a new "slim-line" version of the system which would cater for all the users needs.

To minimise and ease the workload of the IFPI staff, Alchemy created a web based database system that contained all the information within each of the country files. Accessed via a secure password, this allowed users to download the information as and when they wanted without IFPI staff intervention. Thus freeing thme up to perform other key tasks within the organisation.

The new evolution of the system allows users to view and download word documents on each of the countries included and also liks through to the new Market Data Online (MDO) system so users can view detailed music market information on the country.

Testimonial

"Alchemy's interpretation of our project requirements has been excellent from day one. Development is consistently efficient and well managed which, added to the team's proactive and approachable attitude made the whole experience painless. They deliver on time and when we need to communicate at short notice, they're always available. When we needed to implement other projects, we have had no hesitation in contacting the Alchemy team. It's not easy finding a proven & reliable new media outfit nowadays. We're happy to say that's not a problem we have."