How Technology Can Help Deliver a Better Game-Day Experience

Live sporting events aren't just competing with otherforms of entertainment, like movies and concerts, for viewers and their money.They're also competing with themselves, in the form of watching on TV (oronline). At home, fans have access to comfortable seating, an endless supply ofsnacks and clean, private bathrooms and they don't even have to buy a ticket.

For arenas, rinks and stadiums to bring sports fans outto the game, they must give the fans access to modern technologies. Thistechnology ranges from Wi-Fi to tablets to digital signage, not to mention areliable data centre with enough power and the right backup solutions to keepeverything up and running. Here's how you can enrich the stadium experience togive fans something they can't get at home.

Wi-Ficonnectivity that fans need, whenever they need it

Wi-Fi is the basis of a better stadium experience. Asolid signal means fans can access their social media accounts and share theirphotos and reactions during the game. And employees including IT staff willenjoy the ability to work from anywhere in the stadium, thanks to greaterconnectivity.

With everybody bringing a mobile device to the game,Wi-Fi is nearly as essential to a stadium as plumbing. This can present a majorchallenge, as putting reliable, robust Wi-Fi in a stadium or arena might meanfinessing equipment into a new build, working around stadium features thatpredate the wireless world or creating an adaptable setup that accounts foradded seating at large-scale events, such as a concert or championship game.But stadiums that make this investment often see big returns in the form ofsatisfied fans, free advertising via social media and the ability to powertheir own apps, making this technology a must-have for an improved fanexperience.

The future ofstadium signage is digital

Improving stadium signage with digital displays cangreatly enhance the fan experience and create new sources of revenue. Digitalsignage can help stadiums deliver content to fans, including exclusive cameraangles, replays and live, in-game statistics. Signage can also be an additionalsource of revenue, by displaying dynamic ads or updatable food and productselections at concession stands.

Fans will always remember where they were for thegame-winning goal or touchdown, walk-off home run or buzzer-beating 3-pointer.Digital screens near the concession line, or even inside washrooms, can notonly show the live action, but also provide replays of the big play, so fansdon't feel like they're missing out on the action.

Mobiletechnologies pave the way for a more personalized, engaging experience

Custom mobile apps take media delivery to anotherlevel, giving fans the chance to select their own content. One football teamdeployed a mobile app that adds value to the fan experience by providing playerand coach bios, game stats, rosters, injury reports and news feeds, as well ashighlights from other games. Mobile apps can also provide teams with data tofurther understand fan behaviour and allow for venues and teams to stayconnected to their fan base outside of game days.

Mobile technologies are also used by workers at thestadium, whether it's ticket scanners at the gates, tablets for in-seatconcessions, or players and coaches looking at plays on the sideline. TheMicrosoft Surface Pro 7, powered by Microsoft 365, lets stadium employees gettheir work done from anywhere, helping them get closer to the fans. Or, they could opt for an ultralightbusiness convertible like the HP Elite Dragonfly with Win 10 Pro. It features adurable iridescent dragonfly blue finish, diamond-cut accents, and animpressive screen-to-body ratio. An exquisitely crafted x360 touch laptop, thatprovides mobility beyond expectation, and converts from a laptop to a tablet toa tent mode that allows two people to collaborate, share content and fuelproductivity.

On gameday,your infrastructure can't let you down

The challenges of managing any facility, such as poweravailability and reliable access to data, are magnified when there are 20,000fans filing in and the game is being broadcast on national TV. But the rightdata centre solutions can keep stadiums running smoothly and efficiently, ensuringthat nothing goes down on gameday.

For instance, APC's Micro Data Centre providesreliable power and security using lithium-ion batteries and physical securitycapabilities to reduce the amount of service visits and incidents on-site. Its EcoStruxureIT platform provides data-driven insights to warn you of potential issues thatcan cause downtime, and its compact design supports the latest servers andnetworking gear.

And with data being crucial to stadium performance andfan engagement, it's important to keep it protected with reliable backup. Veeam'sCloud Connect lets you rest easy by encrypting all data at the source, beforeit leaves your network perimeter. Included within several Veeam products, CloudConnect allows you to access and recover data directly from the backup console,track cloud repository consumption and even offers reminders for hosted storagerenewals.

In the English Premier League, SouthamptonFC relies on Veeam to back up servers that support 48 turnstiles acrossthe stadium, as well as POS systems selling merchandise, food and drink. Fansmight not notice when nothing goes wrong, but ensuring minimal downtime is keyto stadiums providing a more enticing experience than the average living room.