How will the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games IT infrastructure cope?

Dell has revealed details of the large-scale end-to-end IT infrastructure that will be implemented across 40 competition and non-competition sites at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Designed to support business critical functions, as well as connecting athletes, volunteers and officials from around the globe, the technology will help to ensure a seamless experience for everyone involved over the 11 days of competition.

Brian Nourse, CTO for Glasgow 2014, said: "Technology underpins everything at the Commonwealth Games and we have multiple sites across Glasgow that require a fit-for-purpose technology solution. Dell’s role is crucial in ensuring that we have a robust, flexible infrastructure in place that can guarantee everything runs flawlessly – both in the planning and staging of the Games, and during the 11 days of competition."

As the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympics, and the biggest sporting event ever held in Scotland, Glasgow 2014 needed an IT partner that could support the requirements of the 71 nations involved in the Games, an audience of more than two billion people, 4,500 athletes and 15,000 staff and volunteers. To achieve this, Dell will be providing 2,400 OptiPlex desktops, and Latitude laptops, and approximately 50 PowerEdge servers and EqualLogic and PowerVault storage solutions across 40 sites which include support for priority critical functions and venues including:

– Technology Operations Centre (TOC): Responsible for monitoring, operation and management of all Games technology and services, the technology environment for the Games will use Dell PowerEdge servers with Intel® Xeon® processors, Dell EqualLogic and Dell PowerVault storage, and a range of Dell desktops and laptops to provide instant responses for the spectators, athletes and organisers with the aid of a Dell-supported service desk.

– Media Centre and Results: A huge part of the technology requirements for the Games is the ability to make available results to a wide audience. The Media Centre will use Dell equipment to make the results available to the world’s press and broadcast media. Dell equipment will also be used onsite by press partners to prepare and file stories.

– Athletes’ Village: The home of the athletes during Games time will use Dell technology to ensure seamless logistics management for Glasgow 2014 team members and the 71 nations represented, support three fully equipped recreational facilities so that athletes can stay connected to friends and family, and enable a relaxed atmosphere.

Tim Griffin, VP and MD, Dell UK, said: "Technology is often the unsung hero of the sporting world. Nearly everything, from coverage of the events and ticketing, to how athletes perform and results are reported, requires a high level of technology support. The Commonwealth Games is a world-class sporting event that requires world-class technology support – something we’re committed to and very proud to be delivering."

Glasgow 2014 chose to partner with Dell due to its flexibility, ability to collaborate, mindfulness of budget and bespoke solutions. With a local presence in Glasgow, Dell will be on hand if required and has a personal investment in the project as Official IT Hardware and Data Centre supporter. The remaining elements of the Dell solution are due to be deployed in the final eight weeks of preparation for the Games, which begin on July 23 and run until August 3, 2014.