OREANDA-NEWS. February 20, 2015. 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 ABMSE 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 thepress kit or www.ibm.com/mobilefirst. Follow @IBMMobile on Twitter, and see IBM MobileFirst onYouTube,and Facebook .

For more information about the new Atlanta Stadium, visit http://newstadium.atlantafalcons.com/.