MISANO, Italy, July 17, 2007 - Cisco® announced today that the Misano World Circuit has chosen to deploy Cisco networking, wireless, security and unified communications technologies throughout its four square kilometer site in a one million Euro development to bring the Moto GP World Championships back to Misano. Opening up new opportunities to enhance the experience for racing fans and helping increase revenues through new multimedia services, Misano is one of the first circuits in Europe to offer wireless network access anywhere on the circuit.
Cisco, working with the Misano World Circuit team and system integration partners IBM, designed the network to deliver advanced communications and innovative services, incorporating video, voice and data, throughout the circuit encompassing the spectator areas for up to 70,000 fans, media center for 320 press, paddock areas, VIP areas and emergency, medical and support centers.
"Each year, over 600,000 visitors come to Misano circuit and this places a lot of demands on the infrastructure," explained Renzo Rossi, ICT Infrastructure Manager of Colacem S.p.A., owners of the Misano World Circuit. "Turning Misano into a high-tech circuit is vital to supporting our business, but our challenge was to keep to a limited budget. We decided to build a single shared infrastructure for all services and to keep management and control of the infrastructure. We knew Cisco to be a reliable partner as we deployed our first Cisco router in 1989, but we chose Cisco because it was the only company that answered all our requirements with one high performance solution for data, voice, video, security and mobility."
The advanced secure network at Misano uses Cisco Unified Communications and Wireless Mesh solutions to meet all the communications needs of a premier international race event. All visitors have access to video streaming at full video quality over the wired network. At the same time, the wireless infrastructure supports the real-time ticket verification system supplied by Ticket One. Cisco Unified IP phones connected to the same network provide voice and video communications for press and staff. Senior personnel can maintain closer contacts using video telephony and wireless IP phone handsets to help manage security and reach emergency staff anywhere on site. Guest wired and WiFi Internet access is available throughout the circuit for press, racing teams and for use at corporate events.
Stefano Venturi, vice president (Cisco Inc.) and general manager of Cisco Italy, said: "The executive team at Misano shares Cisco's vision of the network as a platform that will not only change the way we work, but also the way we live, play and learn".
"The network will help Misano deliver a variety of new services for spectators and staff. For example, video streaming can be extended to the wireless network so that fans can receive real-time race information, such as laptimes and statistics, via hand-held devices or smartphones. Sponsors can deliver targetted advertising directly to spectators and a variety of interactive services can be made available to VIP and corporate hospitality customers. The addition of wireless location services will make it possible for the race director to see the location of emergency vehicles and support staff. E-payment systems can also be easily implemented for the convenience and security of visitors".
Cisco technologies deployed at Misano World Circuit include Cisco Unified Communications Manager systems, Unified IP Phones and Unified Video Telephony Advantage cameras, Cisco Aironet 1500 series wireless mesh access points and wireless LAN controllers, Cisco 3845 Integrated Services Routers, Catalyst® 6500 and 3750 series switches.
