Background
Eden Park, New Zealand’s largest sports stadium, is renowned for hosting a variety of significant sports events, including the Super Rugby finals, international cricket, rugby, and football tournaments. The need to meet international standards such as those set by FIFA, coupled with the desire to enhance operational efficiency and visitor experience, drove Eden Park to seek a robust technological solution.
Challenge
Eden Park faced multiple challenges related to its old AV and control systems, which were becoming increasingly unreliable and difficult to manage. The systems required significant manual intervention, which was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors, especially during large-scale events with tens of thousands of attendees.
Solution
Eden Park chose to implement the Q-SYS vCORE system, a fully virtualised control platform from Q-SYS. This solution marked the first full deployment of vCORE in New Zealand, setting a precedent for future AV technology applications in the country.
Implementation
The implementation of Q-SYS vCORE at Eden Park was strategically phased to coincide with major sporting events, ensuring minimal disruption. The system now controls all external gate signage, LED ribbons, and large-screen displays throughout the stadium. Key features of the system include:
Unified Control
Q-SYS provides a single platform that manages various functions across different technologies, which were previously controlled by disparate systems.
Ease of Use
The system is designed to be user-friendly, allowing staff to operate it with minimal training, which is facilitated through simple interfaces like tablets.
Flexibility and Scalability
vCORE’s virtualised nature means that Eden Park can easily scale its operations without significant hardware investments, adapting quickly to different event requirements.
Benefits
The Q-SYS vCORE system has brought several key benefits to Eden Park:
Operational Efficiency
The ability to schedule and automate tasks has significantly reduced the manpower required for event setup and operations. Staff can now pre-configure settings for different events and make adjustments remotely.
Cost Savings
Reduced need for physical hardware and the ability to use software licenses as needed have led to lower upfront costs and maintenance expenses.
Enhanced Visitor Experience
With reliable and seamless control over AV outputs, Eden Park delivers a superior experience to fans, with dynamic signage and displays that enhance the atmosphere during games.
Compliance and Standards
The system ensures that Eden Park meets international standards for AV technology, which is essential for hosting world-class events.
