DiData serves an ace

Dimension Data, with its Advanced Infrastructure Team will be deploying complete event communications for the duration of the SA Tennis Open for the third year. The tournament is sit to start at the end of this month and will run through to 6 February

From the 29th of January to the 6th of February 2011, it will be game, set match for Montecasino’s Outdoor Arena in Fourways as the SA Tennis Open returns to this venue, showcasing some of the top talent currently on tour on the international ATP circuit.

While all eyes will be on the court action, Dimension Data, with its Advanced Infrastructure Team will be at work behind the scenes ensuring that the tournament is fully supported with a quality and reliable technology infrastructure. Dimension Data will be provisioning a temporary and fully self-contained technology centre on-site for Tennis SA at the Montecasino’s Casino Precinct. For the duration of the tournament, the Ballroom and the La Toscana venues will be transformed into what will be ‚mission control’ for the event.

According to Nicholas Shaw, General Manager, Advanced Infrastructure at Dimension Data Middle East and Africa, almost a hundred end points will be available from which event officials and administrators will be able to orchestrate the event. This technology centre will also serve as the media hub, linking local and international press as well as player representatives and sponsors with audiences all over the world. Top-notch and virtually instantaneous connectivity is critical for the live transmissions, match reports, interviews and press conferences that form an integral part of global sporting events.

‚This is the third year running that Dimension Data’s Advanced Infrastructure has been awarded the contract for the SA Tennis Open, and it is a project that really puts our capabilities to the test, drawing on all our specialists and areas of expertise. From cabling to the network kit to WAN connectivity, we’ll be providing it all,‚ says Shaw.

‚We have proven our ability to build outstanding solutions for sophisticated, deadline-driven users who expect a very high level of technology functionality. The challenge here is to build this in a matter of a few days, completely from scratch. And then, once the tournament is over, the entire infrastructure, all cabling, cabinets, switches and routers, will all be dismantled – returning the venues to their original state.‚

This project is a collaborative effort. In order to provide a robust, agile and responsive infrastructure platform for the event, strategic partners Internet Solutions have been brought on board to ensure seamless and world-class connectivity. In addition, all the temporary telephone and fax lines required are being provided directly by Telkom itself.

‚In the wake of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where we also played such an integral part in many of the stadia and host cities, we understand that, expectations are more demanding than ever before. Our team is more than happy ‚ and ready – to rise to the challenge,‚ concludes Shaw.