The role and importance of cloud computing in sport is as important now, and growing as rapidly, as in area area of business. The latest major to deal to be signed is between the Irish Greyhound Board and Eircom.
Live streaming of races to tablet and mobile devices will now be faster, easier and cheaper through the provision of cloud based infrastructure at the country’s 17 tracks.
The value of the deal is estimated at over €1 million over three years but it will draw revenue through increased ability to stream live events on a worldwide basis. With the Greyhound industry controlling its own betting revenues through operation of a tote pool betting system this enable strong revenues to be planned across multiple locations.
As part of this latest modernisation project, live streaming of races will now be broadcast via the sports own website at www.igb.ie. Race analysis, interviews, commentary and live discussions will also be provided as part of what will be a substantial lift in the profile and accessibility of the sport.
Last week ETS, a UK financial company were announced as the three year headline sponsor of the Irish Greyhound Derby. This deal is worth €750,000 over the course of an initial three year deal.
Greyhound racing is already a major exporter due to the success of its breeding industry. Over 10,000 people are employed directly or indirectly in the sport, largely in rural areas.
Eircom has designed and implemented the cloud computing infrastructure solution being used. It is powered by Amazon Web Services, and comes at the same time as the company is rolling out fibre powered broadband to homes and businesses across the country.
“We are extremely excited about the world of possibilities that now open up for us with the move to Eircom cloud,” said Adrian Neilan, Cheif Executive of the irish Greyhound Board. “The new content and revenue-generating services that we can now begin to rollout over the coming three years look set to be a real game-changer for the industry as we seek to realise the potential to further grow and engage with our community of greyhound racing followers, not only in Ireland but also internationally.”
“The association with Eircom Business will make a real difference for the Irish Greyhound Board as it sets out to expand its business,” added Jason O’Conaill, Head of Cloud and Data Centres at Eircom Business.
“The partnership that we have in place with Amazon Web Services, along with the significant investments that we have made in our cloud capabilities, can now truly enable businesses to transform their legacy IT infrastructures to become more agile and deliver savings in operating costs.”
Next week we will look in greater detail at the role of cloud computing in sport. In the Autumn Members’ Round Table programme to be revealed next week, one of the events will be on the role of data in sport. To make sure you keep up to date with the latest developments in the commercial world of Irish Sport, make sure you sign up for our free Daily News Digest.
Greyhounds in the Cloud
