Without realizing who is responsible, fans who come watch Carolina’s sports teams play haven’t been able to miss one quite visible way that Information Technology Services has helped the Athletics Department improve ticket operations.
ITS On Site Support Athletics, the group that supports the technology needs of the Athletics Department, rolled out digital information signs, beginning in spring 2014, at the UNC-Chapel Hill ticket windows, the Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Arena and other athletic facilities.
These Rise Vision boards enable the Athletics Department to communicate information—whether print and graphics or video—in an attractive format that is consistent with logos and other visuals shared through emails and other promotional materials.
Enticing fans to more events
On game day, a sign might reassure fans that they’re standing in the right place or inform them of other upcoming Carolina sporting events. A basketball fan might be enticed to also buy tickets to a lacrosse or soccer match. Anecdotally, ticket operations staff report some additional purchases as a result of these digital signs.
On Site Support Athletics helped the Athletics Department by researching the product, installing the signs, addressing connectivity and training users.
New signs are easier to read
The Rise Vision boards replaced old scrolling LED boards at the main ticket office next to the Dean Smith Center located in the Ernie Williamson Center. Those signs portrayed very basic information, such as advising fans to have their IDs ready.
The old signs were “really hard to read,” said Tom Livers, who leads OSS Athletics. “You’d have to stand there for about 1 ½ minutes to read the whole message.”
The old technology “was functional. It worked,” said Tim Sabo, Assistant Director of Ticket Operations. But it was basic and the display of information wasn’t especially attractive.
Updating the graphics each week for those Rise Vision boards means a bit more work, but it is worth it, Sabo said. “It was a better use of our funds to provide more value to our fans,” he said.
Additional campus groups eyeing signs
OSS Athletics and the Athletics Department have deployed more than 55 Rise Vision displays across campus.
After learning about the Athletics Department’s use of the technology, other campus departments, schools and groups are now deploying or considering the Rise Vision boards.