It is impossible to conceive of a sporting event like the Soccer World Cup, without software, Internet, digital cameras and high-speed networks to ensure data exchange, says Michael Lange, VP for projects and strategy at T-Systems.
At the Connect IT: Jo'burg 2010 conference next week, Lange will provide insight into the challenges, lessons learned and the factors which were critical to setting up stadiums for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, in order to deliver the technology that made it work.
"FIFA and the national organising team behind the 2006 FIFA World Cup developed and implemented plans for a modern IT and communications platform together with T-Systems and other partners to ensure a 99.99% availability level that did not allow any points of failure.
"The entire network was continually monitored to ensure that no technical problems could develop. It was also ensured that systems specialists were available at all times to correct as quickly as possible any issues which did arise," Lange says.
Lange will discuss how the high-definition television (HDTV) format transmitted better visuals. For example, the technology transmitted the coverage of goals from the pitch to the transmission centre, and included links to all 12 stadiums. A high-performance fibre optic network to the international broadcasting centre then distributed the signals throughout the world.
Connecting IT
The Connect IT: Jo'burg 2010 conference will be held on 23 and 24 November at the Sandton Convention Centre and will see presentations from various players within the IT industry. Workshops will gather information on what is required for the host city.
Conference speakers include Sibongile Mazibuko, executive director of City of Johannesburg 2010; Norman Silins, GM of telecom solutions at Bell Canada; Steffan Rusche of Siemens AG's Project Office World Cup 2006; and Thami Msimanga, CTO of Telkom.
The conference will address the ICT challenges and opportunities for 2010. It will co-ordinate the planning and implementation of all private and public sector ICT infrastructures for the event, and maximise the broad-based participation of small and medium ICT players. It aims to foster the "smart, digital, world-class African city" vision, and build partnerships between ICT players.
Workshops at the conference will delve into challenges: What IT skills are needed the most leading up to 2010, and how can the IT industry can deliver on this challenge? What are the safety and security issues, from access control systems, surveillance systems and control centres? The traffic management workshop will highlight intelligent transport systems, traffic management requirements and interfacing with emergency services.
Click here for more information about the Connect IT: Jo'burg 2010 event.
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