The company ensures an excellent fan experience through the implementation of highly efficient edge computing
Vertiv, (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, supports Lower.com Field, the new home of the 2020 Major League Soccer champion Columbus Crew, which offers its fans technologically advanced experiences, starting with a best-in-class entry system that allows fast and easy access to up to 20,000 fans per game. This system, together with the other Columbus Crew solutions, ensures an impeccable experience, becoming an example for other stadiums and arenas in the world.
The entrance gates to Lower.com Field offer two options for fans entering the stadium. The first allows you to use a barcode on your phone to quickly pass through an unsupervised turnstile, while the second uses the stadium's facial recognition system, which recognizes pre-registered fans, allowing them to enter quickly without any further action. Online purchasing and ordering technologies minimize contact and eliminate long queues. The stadium's large amount of scoreboards and digital displays ensure fans stay engaged and informed before, during and after the match. The resources and infrastructure of edge computing that make all this possible are part of a sophisticated, connected and reliable digital ecosystem that optimizes and improves the fan experience.
“We decided we were committed to bridging the gap between fans and technology by building a stadium totally focused on comfort, convenience and entertainment,” he says Brandon Covert, vice president of information technology presso Haslam Sports Group (HSG), the organization that owns a majority stake in both the Columbus Crew and the NFL team Cleveland Browns. "Vertiv's infrastructure support helps us provide our kiosk and ticket concession partners with the reliable connection they need, allowing them to operate effectively. For example, if the ticketing system goes down, even for just 10 seconds, it can become critical for an event. Our goal is to create a flawless fan experience before they even enter the building. When you bring 20,000 people into this stadium, every second matters.”
Vertiv supports mission-critical systems with UPS systems, power distribution units (PDUs) and cooling systems that ensure the availability of all digital applications, from ticketless entry to remote and cashless ordering at kiosks. In the broadcast control room, technicians rely on High-performance KVM switch from Vertiv™ to enable secure, seamless, low-latency data and video management on digital scoreboards and billboards. Vertiv™ IT management tools and remote monitoring software provide simplified and secure visibility and control over all infrastructure systems, while racks positioned throughout the stadium and in nearby external locations ensure the physical security of IT equipment. These solutions work together to protect the uptime and integrated, seamless operation of the IT networks that support the interactive fan experience.
The Columbus Crew and Lower.com Field operations teams also appreciate that thermal management systems Liebert® DSE e Liebert® DS are among the most efficient in the industry, keeping operating costs and budgets under control while ensuring reliable operating temperatures for data center equipment.
“We are proud to partner with the Columbus Crew to offer city fans and those visiting Columbus an excellent stadium experience,” he said Gary Niederpruem, chief strategy and development officer at Vertiv. “Our businesses share deep roots in central Ohio, a belief in the value of teamwork and a commitment to excellence in everything we do.”
Vertiv is a founding partner of Lower.com Field and has joined the Columbus Crew in several community efforts, which include sponsorship for Special Olympics Ohio and Team Ohio at the 2022 USA Games in Orlando; donations of football boots to Special Olympics athletes; hosting STEM Day activities at Lower.com Field for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Columbus; and promoting Kick Childhood Cancer Night.
To learn more about Vertiv's Lower.com Field solutions and collaboration with the Columbus Crew, view and download the case study at Vertiv.com.
