Fact Sheet: The 1998 U.S. Open – An IBM e-business Solution
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N/A (August 31, 1998) – The IBM Tournament Information System
At the heart of IBM’s involvement at the U.S. Open is the tournament information system that is responsible for all match results and statistics. This system has evolved over the last six years to meet the ever-changing demands of national and international broadcasters, media, players, the public and the USTA.
The IBM tournament information system is a private network that serves a broad range of users. Real-time match information is collected by the courtside data entry teams, who record the statistical details of each point played on the main show courts. This data, which includes the serve speeds for each player, is transmitted directly to the IBM information system for distribution.
The IBM tournament information system is used in many different ways; for example, tournament referees use the scheduling module to put matches on court in the most efficient manner. This software automatically alerts the officials about any potential scheduling conflicts.
IBM Inquiry System
For tournament organizers, media, players and the public, IBM’s 61 touch-screen Inquiry Systems located in public areas, media work rooms, player lounges and tournament offices at the National Tennis Center provide easy access to updated match scores, results and statistics as well as player biographies and historical tournament information.
Additionally, television broadcasters and international media use the IBM Inquiry System to research player information and tournament histories and to check live scores and match statistics. The IBM TV interfaces feed the scores and detailed match statistics directly into the broadcasters’ character generators for real-time graphic displays on air.
Tennis fans also can track the fortunes of a favorite player, find the order of play or print an up-to-date player profile by accessing the public side of the information system on the official U.S. Open Web site (www.usopen.org) or via the IBM Inquiry Systems on-site at the National Tennis Center.
Source: IBM