S3 Group said Sky (UK) will tap the vendor’s test automation solution to enable the pay-TV provider’s field engineers run diagnostics on set-top boxes that can rapidly determine the root cause of technical issues. 

Noting that Sky’s Home Service Field Engineers visit over 3 million customers in the UK every year, S3 said the solution will enable the service provider’s field engineers to execute a series of tests on set-tops in the home and quickly isolate whether the fault is in the hardware, or if there’s a problem with the in-home configuration.

It will do that via a series of diagnostic tests conducted in real-time using an engineer’s existing tablet device to connect to the set-top, S3 said. The results are returned in a graphical format, enabling engineers to address the problem and to provide assurance to customers that, when the fault is resolved, their STB is working correctly.

“Sky is continuously applying new technology to ensure our customers receive the very best service experience,” said Giles Harvey, supply director, Sky. “Getting it right first time is important for customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. S3 Group have provided a reliable solution for Sky’s field engineers to efficiently test and resolve device faults during a service visit.”

“The application of automation has become essential for pay-TV providers to reduce operating costs and improve quality,” added Derek Dwyer, S3’s general manager, TV technology, S3. “This solution enables Sky’s field engineers to efficiently test a device, increases customer confidence in the diagnosis, and ultimately reduces device swap outs”.

S3’s other customers and clients include Astro, BT, Comcast, Kabel Deutschland, Liberty Global, Mediacom, RDK Management, Swisscom, Time Warner Cable, and Videotron, among others. 

S3 Group said it has been selected by Kabel Deutschland, the largest cable operator in Germany, to automate the testing of multiscreen services across consumer premises equipment platforms, including Apple iOS and Google’s Android OS devices.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but Kabel Deutschland will use S3’s StormTest Development Center to integrate the testing of its TV services, including mobile video applications into its test framework.

S3 said the agreement announced Tuesday, made in concert with this week’s ANGA COM conference in Cologne, marks an expansion of the use of Development Center in Kabel Deutschland.

“Subscribers want a great user experience, regardless of the device being used. By integrating all devices into our existing test framework Kabel Deutschland will be able to test feature updates and new services faster,” said Bernd Hansen, Teamleiter Service Management at Kabel Deutschland, in a statement. “In particular, mobile video application testing with StormTest will give us a reliable, repeatable, and automated method to assure the quality of multiscreen user experience.”

“The modern television experience is now inherently multiscreen,” added John Maguire, chief strategy officer, TV Technology, at S3 Group. “This is challenging contemporary service delivery methods, requiring more efficient processes, and agile development methods. With StormTest Development Center we will enable Kabel Deutschland to deliver new services and features at Internet speed.”

Kabel Deutschland is also a licencee of the Reference Design Kit, the preintegrated software stack for IP and hybrid QAM/IP set-tops and gateways being managed by Comcast, Liberty Global and Time Warner Cable.  RDK Management is using S3 to oversee its code management function. 

In addition to KD, S3 Group’s customers include Astro, BT, Comcast, Liberty Global, Mediacom, RDK Management LLC, Sky, Swisscom, Time Warner Cable, and Videotron, among others.