Case Studies: Sky Co., Ltd.

― Mr. Takashi Sasamoto General Manager, Public Relations Department Osaka Head Office, Sky Co., Ltd.

Challenge

• Frequent system crashes when live streaming ceremonies and limited production capabilities were impacting video production quality.

Solution

• KAIROS realized a stable live streaming environment and advanced, real-time compositing for a wider range of creative production.

Background

Pursuing Stability and Creative Versatility

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to conduct product presentations for distributors and hold internal ceremonies in traditional in-person formats. But since it was essential to continue holding such events, Sky Co., Ltd. transformed a large meeting room into a studio for nationwide live streaming. However, as the studio evolved into a large-scale facility with upgraded equipment, frequent system crashes during live broadcasts and limited production capabilities underscored the need for a more reliable and versatile solution.

Why KAIROS?

Creating a Sense of Unity with Streamed Ceremonies

With stability as one of its priorities, the company turned to the KAIROS IT/IP platform after a thorough evaluation, including a demonstration. Mr. Sasamoto, General Manager of the Public Relations Department at Sky, explained: “When I first saw KAIROS, I immediately recognized it as the solution that we needed. Its dedicated Linux OS and popularity among broadcasters further reassured me of its reliability. During a live nationwide broadcast of our in-house awards ceremony, the system operated flawlessly—not just during the actual event but also three rehearsals. We wanted our live streams to create a sense of oneness, so that some 3,800 employees watching remotely on their PCs would feel as if they are attending in-person, as one. The limitations of our previous system prevented this. But KAIROS gave us the creative freedom to achieve this goal and deliver more engaging and cohesive productions.”

Benefits

Highly Rated System Stability for Uninterrupted All-Day Streaming

Sky, which had been looking for a live-streaming system resistant to crashing, gave top marks to KAIROS for its exceptional stability during evaluation. Mr. Tomiyama, Senior Staff of the Public Relations Department, said: “We originally performed live streaming with a web conferencing system, but it was difficult to manage and the visual impact was lacking. We introduced switchers as we scaled up, and eventually our operation expanded into a large setup with 28 inputs, including real-time video feeds from employees across the country. To enhance production quality, we utilized every available feature, which strained the switcher we were using, resulting in system instability and constant anxiety about potential system failures during ceremonies and live broadcasts. We great appreciate that KAIROS ensures stability for uninterrupted streaming.”

KAIROS Layers and Scenes Significantly Enhance Creative Flexibility

Previous systems often imposed functional limitations that required compromises in creative production. Ms. Kido, Senior Engineering Staff of the Public Relations Department at Sky, noted: “KAIROS has given us much more freedom in production, without restrictions, allowing us to create scenes with as many layers as the GPU allows. In the past, we were reluctant to attempt complex effects with ME switchers, but KAIROS allows us to execute them with confidence. The ability to pre-configure macros and easily recall them is incredibly convenient. Currently, we use Kairos Creator and a dedicated control panel for compositing and another control panel for switching. Their seamless integration greatly enhances our workflow efficiency. Even subtle motion added to visuals can greatly increase their impact, and KAIROS provides the freedom to achieve this effortlessly. This unparalleled flexibility is a tremendous advantage.”

Simplified Operations Ease Stress During Events

The platform’s user-friendly design has significantly reduced stress during live operations. Ms. Kido explained: “The ability to quickly recall user-specific control panel settings and button layouts is extremely helpful, especially when multiple operators are involved. The intuitive interface, which closely mirrors the video software we frequently use, ensures that even last-minute changes can be handled smoothly and without anxiety. In the high-pressure environment of live streaming, the simplicity and ease of operation offered by KAIROS provide unparalleled peace of mind.”

System Configuration

In the Customer's Own Words

We Can Focus on Enhancing Visual Expression

“During the system evaluation phase, we not only watched demonstrations of desired solutions, but also received real-time, hands-on responses to our questions. This approach gave us great confidence in the product. In addition, the suggestion to consolidate our previously fragmented and overly complex system configuration with KAIROS brought much-needed clarity and streamlined our workflow. Furthermore, KAIROS is frequently updated, which is another reassuring factor for an IT company like ours. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we utilized hybrid formats for product launches and business briefings aimed at clients and distributors. Now, however, we often use in-person formats, but our biannual company-wide performance announcements use a hybrid model—one in-person and one online—due to our growing number of employees and locations. Consequently, our live streaming system is critical. As a company deeply committed to hosting impactful events, we can use KAIROS to achieve superior system stability and creative flexibility. This enables us to focus on enhancing the visual expressiveness of our live streams, both internal and external, without worrying about technical limitations. Looking ahead, we aim to fully leverage KAIROS’s capabilities for new initiatives, such as live programs for recruiting that convey the quality of our company even more effectively.”