ARMONK, N.Y. and
ATLANTA, Feb. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM
) and AMB Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE) today announced a
strategic partnership to develop a game-changing fan experience at
the state-of-the-art new Atlanta
stadium set to open in 2017.
This will enable AMBSE to provide highly advanced, interactive
technologies for sporting events including Atlanta Falcons and
Major League Soccer Atlanta games as well as concerts and other
marquee events.
Today's sports and entertainment fans demand better event
experiences from the moment they leave their home. With IBM's
Smarter Stadium Network technologies delivered via the cloud along
with design and development expertise from IBM Interactive
Experience, AMBSE expects to offer fans a truly immersive event day
at the new Atlanta stadium from
start to finish.
"We know that creating the ultimate fan experience means meeting
fans where they are, providing them with the platform to interact
in a seamless way, and introducing them to new offerings that
exceed expectations," said Rich
McKay, President & CEO of the Atlanta Falcons.
"IBM understands the commitment we are making to our fans and will
help us reset the bar in terms of fan experience, technology and
sustainability for sports and entertainment complexes
globally."
IBM's decades of experience transforming the fan experience at
major global sporting events such as Wimbledon, French Open,
Australian Open, Masters Golf Tournament and the U.S. Open golf and
tennis championships will help AMBSE define and create a unique,
engaging environment for visitors of the new stadium.
"Tech savvy consumers count on their devices to enhance their
day-to-day lives whether at work, shopping at the mall or attending
an event," said Jared Miller, AMBSE
Chief Technology Officer. "By partnering with IBM, we will ensure
our fans and guests an unparalleled interactive and engaging
experience, helping to make the new Atlanta stadium the marquee sports and
entertainment venue globally."
AMBSE will team with IBM Interactive Experience to leverage the
power of mobility to create a highly contextual, more personalized
game day experience for fans, all through the integration of
analytics, mobile, social, security and cloud technologies to make
this a reality. IBM is the Official Lead Integrator for the
New Atlanta Stadium.
IBM's Smarter Stadium Network will provide AMBSE with
leading-edge wifi infrastructure that will enable guests of the new
stadium to enhance their event experience. AMBSE will also operate
within a "Smarter" Stadium environment where IBM's system
integration will enable the operations team to be connected to, and
communicate with, numerous stadium amenities including the new 360
degree, 63,000 square foot HD Video Halo Board, 2,000+ video
displays and concessions experience. This includes a more future
flexible network, space savings within the stadium, power and
cooling savings that will lower the carbon footprint while
increasing operational efficiency.
"A live event is no longer about sitting in a seat and watching
a game or concert, but a convergence of physical and digital
experiences for today's fans who are looking for the best way to
get to a game or view highlights from their mobile phone, for
example," said Bridget van
Kralingen, Senior Vice President, IBM Global Business
Services. "For the new Atlanta
stadium, IBM is helping AMBSE reinvent the experience enjoyed by
fans, guiding them through the stadium while bringing them closer
to what's happening on the field."
Delivering on next generation infrastructure
In
addition to powering fan experiences, IBM will provide an
integrated suite of physical security capabilities which can
include traffic management, cameras, managed doors, and video
intercom systems that will leverage the same wireless
infrastructure. AMBSE also plans to incorporate IBM's Intelligent
Operations Center, Intelligent Video Analytics and IBM's Flash
Storage capabilities.
Behind all wireless capabilities will be an infrastructure that
includes Wi-Fi, sophisticated and secure digital operations and
security, and the creative use of digital displays that will be
incorporated into the foundation of the new facility. The Wi-Fi
services will be delivered via a single fiber-based Passive Optical
Network (PON), Distributed Antenna System (DAS), and an IP based
digital signage and media distribution solution. IBM's services
will be employed to design, plan, deploy and facilitate the
management of this infrastructure with AMBSE and its chosen
partners.
Supporting the local community
Outside the stadium grounds; and as part of a unique partnership
with The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation's Westside
Momentum initiative, IBM's award-winning Corporate Citizenship
and Corporate Affairs unit will deliver strategic Impact Grants to
support local nonprofits in the Westside neighborhoods surrounding
the stadium. By providing top level consulting expertise, IBM
will assist nonprofits to address issues such as small business
growth, education, workplace skills, and social services. The
Impact Grant workshops, delivered by IBM and administered by the
Georgia Center for Nonprofits, will help nonprofits build capacity
and strengthen capabilities to better serve the Westside
communities.
For more information on IBM Interactive Experience, the Official
Interactive Agency of Record for Fan Experience for the New Atlanta
Stadium, the Atlanta Falcons, and MLS Atlanta, please visit
www.ibm.com/gbs/interactive. To join the social discussion about
IBM Interactive Experience please follow @ibminteractive on
Twitter.
For more information on IBM Smarter Cities, including solutions
for stadiums, please visit www.ibm.com/smartercities.
For more information on IBM MobileFirst, visit the press
kit or www.ibm.com/mobilefirst. Follow @IBMMobile on
Twitter, and see IBM MobileFirst on YouTube, and
Facebook .
For more information about the new Atlanta Stadium, visit
http://newstadium.atlantafalcons.com/.
Media contacts:
Clint Roswell
914.766.2422
roswellc@us.ibm.com
Elena Cizmaric
Director, Corporate Communications, AMB Group,
p 404 367 2066 | m 404 514 8574 | e ecizmaric@ambfo.com
Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMarZjIviYs
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150218/176434
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-atlanta-stadium-to-showcase-next-generation-fan-experience-with-ibm-technology-300038214.html
SOURCE IBM