Innovative technology to capture latest action from Olympic Club
DURHAM, N.C. (June 13, 2012) – IDS (Information and Display Systems), a division of SMT and a leading global provider of technology solutions for the sports industry, today announced that it will unveil an enhanced digital media display in the U.S. Open Media Center during the 2012 U.S. Open Golf Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif.
Designed on behalf of the U.S. Golf Association (USGA), the new media center display features a 9-by-40 foot projector screen that replaces the calligraphy scoreboard, flanked by two 9-by-16 foot screens displaying live video. In addition, the IDS Content Management System will include practice round groupings Monday through Wednesday, including group location on the golf course; tournament leaders, with an alphabetical and top-15 leaderboard; tournament statistics scroll; custom messages created by media officials; live video feed of ESPN/NBC coverage; and a main interview room video feed.
“IDS, as part of the IBM technology team, will help capture all data related to the U.S. Open and distribute it to tournament media, broadcast and fan information systems on site,” said IDS president Rallis Pappas. “We are confident the tournament information systems will not only enhance the experience for fans and viewers, but also players, officials and media alike.”
IDS’ on-site tournament information system consists of tablet computers in the media center, hospitality areas, and broadcast compounds and studios for instantaneous access of scoring and statistical breakdowns; practice round tee times, groupings and group locations on golf course; tee times; and course, hole and historical information.
“The USGA is excited about the rollout of digital scoring and enhanced video presentations in the U.S. Open media center that have been developed by IDS,” said Pete Kowalski, USGA Director of Championship Communications. “This is a first for our operation at the U.S. Open, which focuses on providing the best possible work environment for the hundreds of media who attend the U.S. Open Championship. We believe this scoring presentation will be an asset to those media who will provide worldwide U.S. Open coverage.”
IBM, the Official IT Partner of the USGA, contracts IDS to provide scoring and technology services on behalf of events such as this week’s U.S. Open. IDS, an IBM business partner based in Jacksonville, Fla., is a premier provider of live in-stadium, event scoring, statistics and display products and services to sports organizations and high-end sports event presenters.
The IBM Golf Scoring system provided by IDS will produce all of the necessary scoring-related administrative functions required by the USGA, including the creation of the pairings, scoring and statistical data collection as well as the generation of daily and post-tournament media reports that include comprehensive statistical information for electronic distribution.
IDS will also provide an 11-by-25 foot video wall and three 8-by-10.5 foot video walls in and around the main entrance, featuring automated graphics content (leaderboards, tee times, group locator, custom messages and ticker), pre-produced USGA video and public service announcements.
Other services provided by IDS include:
• GolfTV, a graphics production displaying scoring data around a live video window in hospitality areas
• BRINT, a broadcast interface application on laptops that interfaces scoring and statistical data in real-time to NBC, ESPN, World Feed and BskyB, as well as a data feed of scores, statistics, and tee times to a number of data subscribers and USGA partners.
About IDS
IDS, a division of SMT, supports client operations during live sporting events with collection, storage, distribution and presentation of sports content for on-site signage/message displays, broadcast support, internet services, information systems and technical support. SMT is the leading innovator in data delivery and graphics solutions and support for sporting and entertainment events, providing clients with real-time scoring, statistics, virtual insertion and messaging. SMT is the expert in data integration, graphics presentation and real-time implementation in all facets of broadcast television. SMT has won 20 Emmy Awards since 1993. Together, SMT and IDS provide a comprehensive turn-key solution for clients worldwide.
For more information, visit www.IDS-sports.com or www.SMT.com.
Contact:
Patricia HopkinsÌ¢?å¬
VP, SMT MarketingÌ¢?å¬
p.hopkins@smt.comÌ¢?å¬
919-602-4392Ì¢?å¬
