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Amsterdam ArenA and Cisco Create the Smart 'Connected Stadium'
New Services Delivered on Cisco Infrastructure Will Enrich the Visitor Experience
| Source: Cisco Systems, Inc.
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - November 26, 2007) - Cisco® (NASDAQ : CSCO )
announced today that Amsterdam ArenA, a premier multipurpose sporting and
entertainment venue and home to AFC Ajax football club, has turned to Cisco
to help make the famous stadium smarter. With the deployment of Cisco
Internet Protocol (IP) technology, the stadium is introducing several
innovative services for the 2 million visitors it attracts each year.
Visitors will be able to reserve seats from home, get access to real-time
travel and parking information, and pay for tickets using their mobile
phones. Spectators and sports fans can more easily access all
stadium-related services and the organisation can deliver improved visitor
service at every event.
Amsterdam ArenA chose Cisco not only for its scalable and highly reliable
IP infrastructure, but for capabilities such as unified communications,
video delivery and wireless services. These capabilities can be applied
throughout the site, helping Amsterdam ArenA to create a multimedia
platform that provides visitors with a richer, more personalised service.
KPN Telecom, a member of the Cisco Powered Program, will install the
infrastructure.
Henk Markerink, director of the Amsterdam ArenA, said: "The most important
goal of the Amsterdam ArenA is to further improve the customer experience,
which includes focusing even more closely on the entire service provision
chain, from the moment the customer buys tickets, as they travel to the
ArenA, the visit itself, to the time he or she is back at home and wants to
book tickets again. The Cisco IP network plays a central role in fulfilling
the entire customer experience. In the next couple of years we want to use
this network to integrate our payment and entry-control systems, to enable
the provision of digital signs and narrowcasting, and to make better use of
new media. We aim to introduce the first services in the middle of next
year."
Coks Stoffer, general director of Cisco Netherlands, said: "Consumers want
access to personalised information wherever they are, instantly, especially
when they are at live events. The challenge for stadiums and event
organisations around the world is to develop ways to meet these demands.
For the new generation of stadiums, the network is no longer purely an
infrastructure for bandwidth, but a platform that makes new sports and
entertainment experiences possible."
The Cisco IP platform reduces operational costs by standardising and
virtualising everyday IT services such as security, mobility and storage.
Third parties, such as the main tenants of the Amsterdam ArenA, can easily
use the network to offer additional services. Integration with radio
frequency identification (RFID) technology will make it possible to offer
location-specific information to visitors as well.
Markerink added: "The Amsterdam ArenA depends strongly on its transport
links. The public transport connections are perfect and the accessibility
for motorists is fine, with four motorways nearby and parking for more than
11,000 vehicles. But if the area around the ArenA wants to grow further,
then we need to improve mobility. For example, we are thinking of various
'travel on demand' solutions and how to improve the provision of
information to visitors. On the day of an event, for example, we want to be
able to send customers an SMS text message with that day's weather
forecast. We also plan to send information to car navigation systems and
mobile phones about the best route to take and where to park."
"Cisco makes it possible to transmit voice, data and video via one simple
IP network," said Stoffer. "This network will also make it possible to
offer various new services wirelessly. Examples include narrowcasting, the
provision of tailor-made information and payment by mobile phone. Even the
stadium entrances will use wireless technology. Cisco has equipped a number
of sporting arenas with similar intelligent networks, including the
world-famous Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, the Allianz Arena in Munich, Ascot
racecourse in the UK and the Misano racetrack in Italy. Thanks to a
comparable 'connected stadium' infrastructure, the Amsterdam ArenA will be
able to extend its reputation as a
world-class multipurpose venue and business centre."
Cisco technology to be deployed at Amsterdam ArenA includes Cisco
Catalyst® 3750 Series Switches, Catalyst 6500 Series Switches, Aironet
wireless access points and CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution.
Cisco Connected Real Estate
Intelligent networks can not only make stadiums smarter, they can be
applied to buildings as well. The IP network makes it possible to integrate
and run various stand-alone building management systems centrally, via the
same network. These include heating, ventilation, air-conditioning,
lighting, fire prevention, closed-circuit TV, access and other systems and
services. This reduces costs while improving safety, and increases the
opportunities to use locations for multiple purposes.
About Amsterdam ArenA
Amsterdam ArenA opened on 14 August 1996 with a seated capacity of 51,628.
It is the first stadium in the world with an underground passageway and the
first stadium in Europe with a sliding roof. The Amsterdam ArenA is the
headquarters of AFC Ajax. The Amsterdam football club plays all of its home
matches here. The stadium also hosts European Cup matches, KNVB
international matches, cup and friendly matches. Furthermore, MOJO Concerts
organises concerts of major artists and groups in the ArenA, and every year
ID&T puts on the largest indoor dance parties, Sensation White & Black
here. The Amsterdam ArenA is also the ideal place for events including
product presentations, theatre performances, sales training sessions,
company parties and more.
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