Tender spot

Try telling a hack that you're about to change their computer system and watch their face. The BBC, bloodied over DMI, has fearlessly gone out to tender for a new newsroom system, which might cost, at the top end, £104m (that includes a charge for looking after it for a minimum of eight years). Even without ongoing support, the BBC estimates the lowest price as £18m (excluding VAT).

This project has had a longer gestatory period than a black alpine salamander. The BBC currently uses a system called ENPS (Electronic News Production System) developed by AP Broadcast, part of the American Associated Press. It was introduced first in 1997 - uncomfortably for many radio programme makers, as they moved unwillingly from Broadcasting House to Television Centre. Over the years it has grown into one of the biggest systems in the world, with some 11,000 users in 300 different BBC bases.

How many users will there be for the new system?  Business case templates in the BBC have a big space you have to fill in about "return on investment". Huge claims were made for DMI in terms of future savings. Hacks, including James Harding, will be interested to know what figures have been put in this document.

• Another entertaining BBC computer system is called Mosart. This, amongst other things, controls the raptor-like automated cameras that skitter around the main BBC News studios. Or not, on some occasions - many listed on this forum. It's one reason poor old Simon McCoy had to stand there for so long holding a ream of photocopier paper in full shot. The studio director had no option to, say, zoom in further while he quietly dropped the paper, or change shot - if it's not in the pre-prepared template, it won't happen.