Microsoft Australia announces 2006 Commonwealth Games supportMicrosoft Australia - Official Technology Partner of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth GamesMelbourne, Australia, 30 August 2005Press Release:
Microsoft Australia today announced that the Victorian Government had secured Microsoft as the Official Technology Partner of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Melbourne, Australia, in March 2006.
Microsoft joins a growing list of high profile partners such as Qantas, Telstra, National Australia Bank, Visa, Tabcorp and Toyota in supporting and promoting this prestigious sporting event.
This is the second time Microsoft has supported the Commonwealth Games. Microsoft was previously the Official Technology Partner for the Commonwealth Games held in Manchester, in the United Kingdom in 2002.
As the Official Technology Partner, Microsoft Australia will contribute software and IT services to help stage the M2006 Commonwealth Games.
Microsoft's server technology will be used by organisers to record and collate competition results from 20 different venues in real-time, covering 12 individual and four team sports, which would then become available for publication on the internet.
Journalists and the media will also benefit from a web-based approach to authoring and publishing stories, and will be provided with 24 hour access to results and information via Microsoft's popular desktop operating system, Windows XP.
When not competing, athletes will be able to relax in a special Xbox game zone, where the latest games will ensure the competition continues beyond the official events.
Microsoft Australia Managing Director Mr Steve Vamos said "We're honoured to be a part of this community wide-effort, and we look forward to helping the government and the community put on a great Commonwealth Games.
"Sport has long played an important social and cultural role in Australia, providing a form of social glue that binds individuals and communities, crosses societal boundaries and breaks down barriers. Sport unites people.
"Our partnership with the Commonwealth Games is a great fit for Microsoft because our software enables people to realise their full potential," said Mr Vamos.
Mr Vamos further commented on the specifics of the technology partnership:
"The driving factors behind the creation of the Microsoft enabled Commonwealth Games IT systems are speed, value for money, reliability and scalability.
"The ability to integrate large amounts of data into a sophisticated results scoring system that can scale to service large numbers of users is paramount. The need for 100 per cent accuracy is critical,” said Mr Vamos.
"This is one of the reasons why Microsoft was approached by the Commonwealth Games to be the Official Technology Partner. It is essential that the platform used to deliver results is efficient and reliable.
"The use of Microsoft software will assist in keeping IT costs to a minimum, reduce data integration time and contribute to a secure and seamless integration of key applications," said Mr Vamos.
The Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks said of the partnership, "This is an important partnership, not just for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, but for Victoria as well.
"We're delighted that Microsoft will bring their technological skills and expertise to help deliver the biggest sporting and cultural event Melbourne has ever hosted."
The Federal Minister for Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, welcomed Microsoft's involvement in the Games.
"Sponsors like Microsoft will play an important role in the Games being an outstanding sporting and cultural success," said Senator Kemp.
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Harnden welcomed Microsoft to the Games Sponsor Family.
"Technology is something that will affect spectators, staff, volunteers and athletes. We are confident with Microsoft on board the Games will be first class," said Mr Harnden.
The Games will be broadcast to a global television audience of over one billion people who will watch 4,500 athletes from 71 countries compete in 12 individual and four team sports at the XVIII Commonwealth Games.
Quick facts about the technology: - Windows Server 2003, along with a broad range of .NET server technologies, will be the base platform for the Games' online operations
- Microsoft's BizTalk Server and SQL Server will be combined to provide a sophisticated data aggregation solution that will bring together competition results from 20 different venues, which will then be available for publication on the Internet
- Microsoft Content Management Server will provide Games officials and journalists with an easy-to-use web based solution for authoring and publishing news and stories about the Games
- Xbox (http://www.xbox.com.au) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences
- Microsoft Windows XP will provide 4,500 journalists from 72 nations with 24 hour access to results and information for the duration of the games
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software ? any time, any place and on any device.
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For more information or to arrange an interview:
Ben Tan
Howorth Communications
Ph: (02) 8281 3810 or 0418 488 827
www.microsoft.com/australia/presspass/news Emma Smith
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games
Ph: (03) 9613 2006 or 0409 004 372
emma.smith@melbourne2006.com.au | |
