Watford FC transforms Vicarage Road

New network supports innovative technology

Watford is overhauling its technology infrastructure

Watford Football Club has installed advanced voice, video and data communication systems to support a technology transformation at its Vicarage Road stadium.

The network delivers 10Gbit/s to every part of the ground and is already supporting a smart card system to allow much quicker entry to the stadium for fans.

The fixed and wireless network supports a Cisco Unified Communication system, video streaming and Cisco Connected Real Estate solution. The technology is intended to transform customer experience while delivering cost savings to the club.

Watford has deployed one of the most powerful and fast communications network in Europe despite not having the financial clout of other football clubs, says Katie Wareham, Watford’s head of new projects.

‘The Cisco solution means we can give fans a host of innovative services that transform their experience when visiting Vicarage Road and increase revenue potential outside the football season,’ she said.

‘And we have an infrastructure that is more than capable of supporting additional services and applications for at least the next 10 years.’

The network infrastructure is supporting a smart card system, which is integrated into its customer relationship management system, providing management with invaluable information about fans.

On match days, it also supports mobile devices, which communicate via the network to view real-time video for better crowd monitoring and control. It will soon support other services like video-on-demand in corporate boxes and access to team and match information.

The club also plans to integrate the venue’s building management systems across the Cisco network so services such as lighting, heating, closed-circuit television security and digital signage can be managed centrally and more economically.

It is part of a £32.5m redevelopment of the Vicarage Road venue to improve access, seating, corporate hospitality and other facilities.

The Cisco Unified Communications system comprises 140 Cisco Unified IP Phones around the stadium which will provide sophisticated telephony services such as video conferencing and the delivery of real-time information to handset displays.

It is being deployed by The Project Network and Fortress GB is delivering the smartcard system.