Sports Teams Gain a Valuable Team Member in the Cloud

By Michael Brown 1

In an industry with huge pressure to innovate, it’s no surprise that professional sports teams have begun to use cloud technology. The NHL, NBA, and NFL have all found ways to improve how they access and analyze data by using the cloud.

This type of capitalizing on technology closely parallels how MSPs typically benefit their clients through the use of cloud tech. Here are some lessons MSPs can take from professional sports teams, and apply to their own work, be it cloud-based file sharing or cloud services in general.

Speed up access to information

Last year, the NBA moved their entire database of statistics onto the cloud. Before that the information was held on conventional databases and fans only had access to very basic statistics.

Now, fans and announcers have access to game statistics all the way back to the first games in 1946! Announcers and broadcasters are no longer limited by the simple statistics they can store on their own computer. They are able to pull up relevant information during a game and present it.

Companies should follow their example. Having information readily available can improve client interactions and internal operations. MSPs should look at any processes that could benefit from faster access or a more dynamic distribution platform.

Pull information from a variety of sources

The San Francisco 49ers are always looking for ways to use data to improve their NFL operations. Recently, the worked with SAP to develop a program to analyze draft picks for the 2013 NFL Draft. Using cloud computing, the software pulled data from multiple league databases plus other external sources including NCAA all-star reports to analyze the value of over 12,000 player prospects.

Cloud based file sharing allows companies to bring together data from multiple sources. Once together, companies can analyze this data and gain new insights they wouldn’t have if the data was scattered in different places. MSPs who know the value of useful data should make sure a company can compile all of their relevant data in one place.

Get information in the right hands at the right time

Whether in the NFL, NBA, or NHL one of the constants is the need to have actionable data in the right hands at the right time. With cloud based file sharing teams are able to use tablets and other mobile devices to access their data right on the field, court or ice.

Coaches can now use this data not only during drafting or when preparing for a game but during the actual game itself. With the speed and accessibility of information this is possible like never before.

Businesses can learn from professional sports teams by putting their important information in front of the people who need it. Think of ways to provide tablets to drivers, warehouse managers, salespeople or anyone else who needs information on the go.

Whether its analyzing plays, selecting draft picks, or improving stats for fans, sports teams that use mobile and the cloud ultimately have a competitive edge. MSPs can learn from these organizations and bring the same competitive edge to their clients.