Background

• The Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock is the first of its kind in the world. It is a made-in-Canada innovation that will connect Toronto to the world leading up to and throughout the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

• Harnessing the "Internet of Everything," the clock is an evolving, social and communications portal that will educate people with in-depth information about the Games, while engaging them with innovative and interactive features.

• As a demonstration of the Internet of Everything, the clock is a networked device. The clock's intelligence resides in and is run from the Cisco-powered TORONTO 2015 Data Centre in downtown Toronto.

• The Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock was built around Cisco's drive to create an interactive social portal that does more than simply count down to the launch of the Games — Cisco wanted to create a community by bringing fans of the Games and technology closer together.

• Cisco is enabling and fostering Canadian innovation by bringing together its Cisco ecosystem of Canadian partners to create a first-of-its-kind, technology collaboration solution. Partners include:

-FourthWall Media for clock and kiosk fabrication.

-X2O Media for software platform development.

-Beanfield Metroconnect, fellow TO2015 partner, for network telecommunications.

• The clock and its components feature a wide range of Cisco technology, both software and hardware, some of which was designed and built at Cisco's Development Centre in Kanata, Ontario. Additional Cisco technology includes Cisco Enterprise Network Products, Cisco Unified Computing System and Cisco iServices Platform.

Quick Facts About the Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock:

• Located at the southeast corner of Nathan Phillips Square (adjacent to the reflecting pool/skating rink).

• Contains a metal frame with an aluminum cladding exterior.

• Stands 5.5 metres tall (the same height as the average male giraffe).

• Weighs 7.3 metric tonnes (greater than the combined weight of three average-sized cars).

• Uses five kilometres of fibre optic internet cable (more than six times the height of the CN Tower).

• Took 7,000 hours to build.

• Features five screens (four on the front, one on the back), each measuring 119 centimetres.

o A range of dynamic photos, graphics and Games video clips will be displayed.

o The countdown feature will be displayed on at least one of the screens at all times.

• Clock building team: 40 people plus 28 Cisco engineers

• Delivery: 16-metre flatbed transport truck.

• Lifting crane: 15-tonne deck crane.

• Data speed transmission: 1 gigabit/second.

• Cable thickness: 8 µm (microns), which is equivalent to 1/10th the thickness of a human hair.

• Fully funded and constructed by Cisco and its partners.

Cisco TORONTO 2015 Countdown Clock Interactive Kiosk:

The clock has an interactive kiosk which functions as its "heart" and engages with visitors to Nathan Phillips Square.

No other technology is required to interact with the kiosk; it is fully inclusive. Visitors and fans in the Square are invited to engage with its touchscreens.

The interactive kiosk is fully accessible. By touching the wheelchair button, the entire touchscreen menu shifts down.

Features of the interactive kiosk include the following text, videos and pictures, all of which are available in English, French and Spanish.

• Clock page: Provides fun facts on the clock, its uniqueness and how it embraces the Internet of Everything. It also includes photos and videos of the clock's inception and creation.

• Sports information: An easy and fun opportunity to learn all about the 51 sports of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.

• Games information: Learn how to purchase tickets, about the torch relay and the 41 participating countries and territories.

• TORONTO 2015 volunteer program, presented by Chevrolet: Find out how to get involved.

• PANAMANIA, presented by CIBC: Learn about the arts and culture component of the Games.

• Venues: Get information on the Games venues.

In addition to the above, visitors can use the kiosk's photo app to take a picture of themselves in Nathan Phillips Square and share the photo through social media. Photos can also be emailed directly to users from the kiosk or viewed on the clock website at ciscotoronto2015.ca. Smartphone users will also be able to tap the screen and immediately transfer the photo onto their device.

Leading up to the Games, the clock's features will continue to evolve.