Data storage works hard for entertainment venues.

Entertainment venues have critical needs for storage capacity and data availability. The sheer number of events, expectations of guests--up to 20,000 at one time--and the logistic requirements of each event call for complex data storage for all the following: accounting, payroll, e-mail, video, multi-media needs, product inventory, photos from concerts, wireless technology for concession stands, computerized environmental building controls, fiber optics running to serve up data, a variety of pdf documents. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephones, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs for floor plans.

The Bradley Center, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, hosts a variety of events, including NBA Basketball, IHL Hockey, Marquette and UWM basketball, and concerts for groups like the Rolling Stones. The data storage solution centers on meeting two necessities: the need to continuously expand storage capacity and to have constant data availability. Capital Data, Inc. serves as the Bradley Center's data solutions provider and consulting service.

The key is to 1) have expandable storage capacity and 2) have constant data availability. To meet these needs, a Procom Network Attached Storage Device was used at the Bradley Center. To assure greater storage capacity, the Bradley Center purchased the Agami AIS3004 that offers 4TB of storage capacity. Even on a daily basis, all data is pushed to a storage device, where it goes to a tape library, which offers a seven day archive, and at the end of the week, the data goes to a remote site. The network device connects systems in the building, and is attached to a fibre optic backbone, so all systems are interconnected.

Approximately seven different layers keep an entertainment venue like the Bradley Center running smoothly. Fiber optics on a Multi-Mode Fibre Optic Cable run to serve up the data quickly. The following are the types of data handled through the system.

First Point of Contact. Ticketing information and customer data are managed through the Ticket Master Ticketing System. Ticket Master offers convenience for customers, but it also serves as a marketing tool capable of reaching customers around the world through e-mail blasts. This ticketing and customer data requires millions of bytes of storage each day that must be available instantly.

Building Automation Systems. The Bradley Center accommodates 18,600 attendees for basketball, 17,800 for hockey and up to 20,000 for concerts, with a total area of 550,000 square feet. There are 67 suites, 12 permanent concession stands, four merchandise stands and 24 public restrooms. The site is approximately six acres, making automated building control information critical pieces of data that must be stored and retrieved. In addition to controlling air volume and smoke purging, building automation systems also regulate electrical power load demand. When the facility approaches its peak load capacity, which occurs when the electricity demands of lighting, air flow, scoreboards and the Sony Jumbotron peak, then the system starts to shut down non-critical systems, all through the use of pre-configured data. All information is stored and retrieved as needed.

Daily Operations. As in any business, an entertainment venue requires routine accounting data, payroll and e-mail management, usually for hundreds of employees. Each of these tools contains valuable business information that must be accessed readily and must be preserved for future planning and legal purposes, just like paper records. Payroll data uses Kronos Time and Attendance System. A set of standard accounting tools, like Macola, are also used at most entertainment sites.

Wireless Technology. Wireless technology also runs through all levels of the building. Ticket information is gathered at the entrance with handheld wireless scanners. Concession information is entered at kiosks, permanent concession stands and merchandise booths provide an inventory and sales record, but those areas also rely on credit card verification that is run through a wireless system at the point of purchase. Wireless service is available for laptops and related technology necessary for real time media coverage, particularly with sporting events.

Digital Video and Multi-Media Programs. Perhaps one of the pieces requiring the largest amount of data storage is digital video and related images used for concerts and sporting events. The fibre optic channels, impervious to electromagnetic interference, make images and video readily available. For broadcast media purposes, all major venues can use microwaves and then transmit video by beaming waves to a satellite. Venues are also equipped with television cable lines, and provide the power and telephone lines required for media coverage of events.

Advanced Technology Solutions. Like any modern business, large entertainment locations use VoIP for communications. Most also rely on a CAD program to determine floor plans and layouts for a wide range of events including everything from tractor pulls and horse shows to concerts and NBA basketball. The CAD program helps determine the amount of dirt that will be hauled onto the floor when the rodeo comes to town, or the quality of the ice when an IHL hockey game is scheduled, or lighting, sound and other multimedia configurations when a major concert group plays. Since the turn-around time between these events is often a matter of a day or two, data must be stored accurately and must be retrieved quickly, both as a reference for those coming to the venue, but for those who set up the staging and floor equipment.

The Backbone of the System. As with all major data storage systems, the basic components, such as firewalls and anti-virus cover the core of the system. A sound recommendation is to use a Microsoft Windows 2003 Operating System and Microsoft Exchange. Microsoft SQL Server and Dell/Compaq file Servers are also used at the Bradley Center. Check Point Firewall keeps the system secure and Infoblox DNS is also employed. Veritas Backup Software is used to store data. RSA Secure ID controls access to key data files, and Symantec Anti-Virus software keeps the system clean. A Storage Tech 120 tape library is used to store data until it is sent to a remote site.

Customers should examine interoperability, compatibility and maintenance options to ensure that their current infrastructure will work with the solutions being considered. Purchase components that will guarantee continuous opportunity to expand storage and assure constant availability of data, in an age when data is growing at an exponential rate.

John Steindorf is executive vice president of Capital Data (Milwaukee, WI) and Richard Nave is director of information systems for the Bradley Center (Milwaukee, WI).

www.bradleycenter.com

www.capital-data.com