“ascot. poweredbycisco”Ascot Racecourse Limited (“Ascot”), together with Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced Cisco as Ascot’s official Networking Partner, with Founding Partner status. The terms of the agreement are £1.8m over four years - Cisco will partner with Ascot until and including the 2010 Royal Meeting and will receive Founding Partner privileges throughout the year. The Founding Partners scheme has been introduced as an opportunity for major organisations with compatible and complementary international profiles to gain a close association with Ascot. Allied Irish Bank (GB) was announced as a Founding Partner in December. On race days, partner privileges will include advertising in official literature and on Ascot TV and branding - including display of the “ascot. poweredbyCisco” mark. Throughout the year, Ascot and Cisco will work together to implement joint promotions. Cisco will also benefit from a permanent customer briefing centre and conferencing rights at the racecourse, with associated branding opportunities. Ascot Racecourse has been closed since September 2004 to undergo its spectacular redevelopment, the most extensive of its type ever seen in Europe. On May 27th the racecourse will reopen, incorporating a Cisco intelligent network infrastructure, implemented in partnership with Redstone Converged Solutions. The new technology at Ascot will enhance the customer experience and improve efficiencies for various parties including media and staff. At the heart of the Ascot technology solution is the Cisco IP network, which integrates voice, data and video communications through a wireless network, all of which will be crucial as Ascot seeks to establish itself as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment venues. The technology will drive improvements for both the racegoers and the business. For example, the wireless network will be used by the Tote for some 500 mobile betting stations and will also effectively turn the racecourse into a wireless hotspot allowing visitors to access local information and the Internet. Furthermore the thousands of contract staff who provide catering and cleaning services will also be connected to the wireless network via PDAs, enabling them to provide a faster service and to reduce inefficiencies in the management of supplies. Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “Our relationship with Cisco enables us to introduce technology which will, in due course, transform the racing experience for our customers. It is an extremely important deal for Ascot and we look forward to breaking new ground together.” Nick Earle, vice president, Cisco Systems said: “The Ascot redevelopment is really exciting, not just for what it delivers today but for the opportunities it offers in the future. This is a great example of how Cisco can deliver real change and innovation to a business. Ascot is now at the cutting edge of technology and a natural place for Cisco to showcase its own leading technology solutions.” ENDS For further information: NOTES TO EDITORS Ascot Racecourse - Redevelopment Having been run at York in 2005, Royal Ascot will return to its Berkshire home this year and run from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th June. The official opening of the racecourse will take place on the first day of the Royal Meeting. Racing will also take place on Saturday 27th May and details of that fixture will be confirmed in due course. The new Grandstand has been designed by HOK Sport+Venue+Event, whose portfolio also includes the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the Sydney Olympic Stadium. Ascot Racecourse aims to set a new standard for the way that people will go racing in the UK. |