IBM servers in ace form at Australian Open
IBM servers in ace form at Australian Open
IBM has introduced new technology to the Australian Open 2005 in an attempt to outclass its previous efforts of providing a high quality IT service to match the smooth running of the prestigious tennis tournament.
This year, it has introduced its recently launched IBM eServer i5 server. This powers the Internet scoring system that feeds data into the official Australian Open website.
It consolidates all of the Australian Open systems into one, which reduces the complexity and makes the solution easier to administer.
The system is essential for providing real-time point-by-point scoring and statistics, which means that visitors to the Australian Open Web site can be kept up-to-date at all times.
Paul McNamee, the chief executive of Tennis Australia, said that IBM's technology is central to the event's success.
"IBM innovation helps us enhance the Australian Open experience for tennis fans around the globe. IBM technology helps the Australian Open control costs and manage risks whilst supporting Tennis Australia's focus on business growth.
"Tennis Australia requires IT infrastructure that is reliable, secure and responsive to keep up with the constant activity and excitement of the Australian Open. By focusing on our core business and partnering with IBM, Tennis Australia - itself a small business - is able to serve up one of the largest sporting events in the world."
The ww.AustralianOpen.com site is being linked to a global grid computing system, which involves hundreds of servers connecting together to form a grid network, that acts like a giant super-computer.
Janet Matton, the director of strategy and transformation at IBM global services, Australia, added: "Grid computing provides Tennis Australia with a highly responsive technology platform that supports the growth of its business and can be integrated seamlessly, without a large capital investment in permanent infrastructure that would be under-utilised for 50 weeks of the year."
"Grid networks allow organisations to get the computing power they need, when they need it. This offers huge potential to medium sized businesses such as Tennis Australia in terms of costs savings and flexibility and agility required to be an on demand organisation."
Last year, the website received almost 11 million visits from nearly 1.8 million people in 187 countries.
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