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Sports and Entertainment Industry Can Revolutionize Fan Engagement Through Exponential IT, Says Info-Tech Research Group

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New insights from Info-Tech Research Group highlight the importance of adopting an Exponential IT mindset to meet the evolving demands of fans and capitalize on new business opportunities in the sports and entertainment sector. A recently published guide from the research and advisory firm outlines how sports and entertainment organizations can integrate advanced technologies, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver personalized fan experiences.

TORONTO, June 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – The sports and entertainment industry is experiencing unprecedented technological advancements and shifting consumer expectations. Organizations in this sector face significant challenges, including evolving to enable autonomous processes, keeping up with specialized knowledge of emerging technologies, and increasing competition from other entertainment forms. Addressing these critical challenges, Info-Tech Research Group has released a new blueprint, Priorities for Adopting an Exponential IT Mindset in the Sports & Entertainment Industry. This comprehensive guide from the firm provides IT leaders with strategic insights and actionable plans to leverage advanced technologies like AI, data analytics, and automation. The research findings and guidance will enable sports and entertainment organizations to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and deliver exceptional fan experiences.

“Increasing competition from other forms of entertainment is pushing the sports industry to provide more attractive offerings to sustain the business,” says Elizabeth Silva, senior research analyst at Info-Tech Research Group. “IT leaders must no longer be spectators of innovation but strategic business partners to the organization’s success. Through visionary guidance, Exponential IT should be explored and adopted to secure a strong position within the evolving landscape of the sports and entertainment industry.”

Info-Tech’s latest blueprint emphasizes the significance of adopting an Exponential IT mindset within the sports and entertainment sector. This approach involves integrating advanced technologies to optimize operations, drive continuous innovation, and provide personalized fan experiences. The firm advises that by embracing Exponential IT, organizations could navigate industry disruptions and meet the evolving expectations of their audiences.

In the blueprint, the firm identifies several critical challenges the sports and entertainment industry must address to achieve technological advancement. These challenges include fans’ expectations for personalized services and experiences, which can be difficult to execute due to a lack of data strategy, governance, and quality. The ability to capitalize on data is becoming crucial to keep pace with the shifting economy. Evolving and enabling autonomous processes and capabilities to remain competitive is increasingly difficult, as is the struggle to keep up with highly specialized knowledge of emerging technologies and trends. As well, the monetization of new business models, such as esports and hospitality, poses great opportunities but is challenging to execute due to the current immaturity of the market.

To navigate current challenges within the sports and entertainment industry and seize the opportunities of emerging technologies, Info-Tech recommends a holistic strategy that includes detailed planning, robust investment in workforce development, and fostering a culture of adaptability and innovation. This approach will enable organizations to effectively navigate their digital transformation and significantly improve fan engagement and satisfaction.

The recommended strategy, outlined in the new blueprint, includes four key priorities that sports and entertainment IT leaders must consider as they adopt an Exponential IT mindset to modernize their operations. These priorities for IT are highlighted below:

Co-Own Organizational Outcomes: Shift the perception of IT from a support function to a co-owner of business outcomes. This requires IT leaders to collaborate closely with other business units, aligning IT initiatives with organizational objectives to drive value and support strategic goals.Fund Exponential Value Creation: Allocate resources strategically to support new platforms and capabilities like AI, automation, and quantum computing. Redirecting budgets from maintenance to innovation is essential for organizations to stay competitive and ensure long-term viability.Treat Data as a Product: Manage and utilize data as a strategic asset rather than a byproduct of operations. Establish robust data governance practices, improve data quality, and leverage data analytics to gain insights that drive decision-making and innovation.Let AI Take Over Core Operations: Implement AI and automation technologies to streamline core operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce manual workloads. Adopt AI-driven solutions for tasks such as predictive maintenance, customer service, and real-time data analysis to stay competitive and innovative.

Info-Tech advises that by addressing these strategic priorities, the sports and entertainment industry can effectively manage the complexities of digital transformation, as detailed in the firm’s blueprint. Embracing an Exponential IT mindset allows organizations to enhance their offerings, streamline operational processes, and offer personalized fan experiences. This approach fosters technological resilience and positions organizations to capitalize on new business opportunities in a dynamic market. By following this guide, organizations can achieve sustainable growth and success, ensuring they are prepared to meet future technological demands.

For exclusive and timely commentary on this topic from Info-Tech’s analysts and access to the complete Priorities for Adopting an Exponential IT Mindset in the Sports & Entertainment Industry blueprint, please contact pr@infotech.com.

Info-Tech LIVE 2024

Registration is now open for Info-Tech Research Group’s annual IT conference, Info-Tech LIVE 2024, taking place September 17 to 19, 2024, at the iconic Bellagio in Las Vegas. This premier event will also offer journalists, podcasters, and media influencers access to exclusive content, the latest IT research and trends, and the opportunity to interview industry experts, analysts, and speakers. To apply for media passes to attend the event or to gain access to research and expert insights on trending topics, please contact pr@infotech.com.

About Info-Tech Research Group

Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms, proudly serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.

To learn more about Info-Tech’s divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. 

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm’s Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@infotech.com

For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit infotech.com and connect via LinkedIn and X.

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Cambium Networks Introduces High Density Wi-Fi 7 Solution for the Enterprise

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New tri-band, software-definable Wi-Fi 7 solution delivers precision directive coverage with AI optimization for exhibition halls, auditoriums, warehouses, and other high-density environments.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cambium Networks, a leading global provider of networking solutions, today announced a new Wi-Fi 7 high-density access point – the X7-56X – engineered to deliver high-performance wireless connectivity in the most demanding environments. Designed to meet the needs of large public venues, exhibition halls, busy public spaces, and educational campuses, the solution combines focused RF coverage, AI-driven optimization, and cloud-managed simplicity in a high-capacity platform.

The X7-56X extends Cambium Networks’ Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with a software-definable tri-band architecture featuring 60° x 60° directive antennas designed for precision coverage and reduced co-channel interference in congested RF environments. The platform supports up to 1,280 clients per access point and up to 17.9 Gbps aggregate wireless capacity across the three Wi-Fi spectrum bands.

“The X7-56X performed very well in our ticket scanning points that have high ceilings and see significant foot traffic volume,” said Jonathan West from the National Ice Centre in Nottingham, UK. “What makes this AP practical for a venue like ours is the integrated 60×60 degree antennas that eliminate separate antennas and cabling and can add significant cost, complexity, and footprint to every mount. Engineering all of that into one unit expedites installation and improves aesthetics as well. This form factor will extend to applications in our seating bowl as well.” 

“What excites me about the X7-56X is how well its directional approach works for some of our toughest spaces, such as auditoriums at capacity or the basketball arena on game night,” said Jeremy Petticrew, Network Engineer at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. “Precisely controlling Wi-Fi coverage has always been the hard part, and having an AP designed specifically for that, inside a platform we already trust, is a real advantage as device counts keep climbing.”

The X7-56X integrates with Cambium’s ONE Network architecture comprised of Wi-Fi, switching, security, SD-WAN, wireless backhaul, and fiber – all managed through the cloud via cnMaestro™ X. This unified approach provides centralized visibility and control across the entire network infrastructure from a single source of truth.

The new solution provides a compelling Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) proposition by reducing the amount of equipment required in typical installations. These advantages are enabled by:

Directive antennas that focus Wi-Fi coverage only where needed – a spotlight approach vs. the floodlight type of inefficiencies of omni-directional antennas

Integrated Wi-Fi controller in every AP, eliminating the need for separate appliance or VM-based controller solutions

Software-defined radios that enable flexible deployment of the 5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi bands matched to environment needs, reducing the number of APs required

Key capabilities of the X7-56X include:

Tri-radio, tri-band Wi-Fi 7 architecture

4×4 MU-MIMO support with ten total spatial streams

60° x 60° directive antenna for precision coverage

Air Cleaner technology for high-density RF optimization

AI-based Assurance for improved operational efficiency and problem resolution

Software-definable radios supporting flexible 5 GHz and 6 GHz migration

Built-in IoT radio supporting BLE 5.1, Zigbee, Matter, and Thread

Simplified installation with the MarketApps Installer mobile-based app and flexible mounting options

Cloud-based management through cnMaestro™

“High-performance Wi-Fi requires more than just raw throughput,” said Bruce Miller, VP Enterprise Product Management at Cambium Networks. “Intelligent RF management, flexible deployment options, and simplified operations are key to support growing device counts, IoT proliferation, and AI-powered applications. The X7-56X was purpose-built for these challenges while at the same time delivering compelling economics for enterprise IT and managed service providers.”

“The X7-56X brings together several technologies that are particularly valuable in high-density environments,” said Kevin Tolly, Founder of The Tolly Group. “The directive antenna design, Wi-Fi 7 architecture, integrated IoT capabilities, and cloud-managed operation provide organizations with a practical approach to supporting growing connectivity requirements while maintaining operational simplicity.”

View the Tolly Group preview video of the X7-56X, showcasing the access point’s ultra-high-density design, Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, deployment flexibility, and performance advantages for demanding enterprise environments.

Cambium Networks’ directional Wi-Fi 7 innovation was recently highlighted by Wi-Fi NOW in an Expert Insights article by CEO and Chairman Claus Hetting.

Watch our webinar replay, “High-Performance Wi-Fi with New Wi-Fi 7 and 6 GHz Solutions.”

About Cambium Networks

Cambium Networks enables service providers, enterprises, industrial organizations, and governments to deliver exceptional digital experiences, and device connectivity, with compelling economics. Our ONE Network platform simplifies management of Cambium Networks’ wired and wireless broadband and network edge technologies. Our customers can focus more resources on managing their business rather than the network. We make connectivity that just works.

Media Contact

pr@cambiumnetworks.com

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SOURCE Cambium Networks

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OCEAN Launches Portal, the First End-to-End Encrypted Pool Dashboard for Bitcoin Miners

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New customizable dashboard gives miners operation-wide tools without surrendering privacy or identity

MIAMI, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today OCEAN announced the launch of OCEAN Portal, a customizable, end-to-end encrypted dashboard that gives Bitcoin miners a complete view of their operation. PORTAL was unveiled on stage at Mining Disrupt 2026, the world’s largest Bitcoin mining expo and conference, held July 21-23 at the Miami Airport Convention Center, by OCEAN President Mark Artymko. PORTAL is available now, for free, to all miners on OCEAN at portal.ocean.xyz.

OCEAN was built permissionless from the ground up, a deliberate design choice that, like Bitcoin itself, gives miners unhindered access to their own information. Traditional pools organize miner data by storing it on their own servers. OCEAN Portal delivers that same organized, polished experience while keeping miners fully in control: a permissionless, encrypted view of your mining addresses with the look and feel of an enterprise-style dashboard. Miners can combine multiple Bitcoin addresses into a single view, organize addresses by site, and assign human-readable names to sites, workers, and teams. Portal includes site-specific statistics, worker insights, payout information in Bitcoin and fiat, robust reporting tools, and access controls that let operators share full dashboards with their teams or generate expiring read-only links for clients. No account or email is required. Miners sign in with a Bitcoin address and a password they create. The convenience of enterprise dashboards, with the security of OCEAN.

“PORTAL was built in direct response to miner feedback,” said Mark Artymko, President of OCEAN. “Some of our miners told us that a customizable dashboard was the only thing standing between their full stack of hashrate and the pool. OCEAN heard them, and built it.”

PORTAL is powered by Sub-space Locker, an application-independent encrypted storage and access-control system developed by OCEAN. Built on public-key cryptography, Sub-space Locker authenticates users, stores encrypted application data, and controls what each user can access. Encryption and decryption happen locally in the user’s browser, leaving OCEAN and other intermediaries unable to read the underlying data.

“Every mining pool dashboard on earth makes the same trade: your tooling for your identity,” said Jason Hughes, VP of Engineering at OCEAN. “PORTAL refuses that trade. Miners get pool-grade information in the most sovereign way possible. We couldn’t read their data even if we tried.”

Since launching in 2023, OCEAN has focused on returning sovereignty to Bitcoin miners through permissionless, non-custodial pooled mining, fully transparent and auditable TIDES payouts, and DATUM, which puts block template construction back in miners’ hands. PORTAL extends that mission from the pool to the mining operation itself.

OCEAN Portal is available now at portal.ocean.xyz.

About OCEAN

OCEAN is a Bitcoin mining pool built on miner sovereignty. Operated by Mummolin, Inc., OCEAN offers non-custodial payouts, transparent reward accounting, and DATUM, the only pool technology that lets individual miners construct their own block templates.

Media Contact Ian Northon media@ocean.xyz

 

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SOURCE Mummolin Inc

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PlayVS and Scouting America Announce Gaming Activation at the 2026 National Jamboree

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New immersive gaming hub will bring structured esports competition, casual play, and digital citizenship programming to Scouts at Summit Bechtel Reserve

LOS ANGELES, July 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PlayVS, North America’s leading scholastic gaming platform, today announced a partnership with Scouting America to bring a state-of-the-art gaming activation to the 2026 National Jamboree, taking place July 22–31, 2026. One of Scouting America’s premier youth gatherings, the National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, brings Scouts together from across the country for adventure, fellowship, skill-building, and shared experiences.

Running throughout the National Jamboree, the PlayVS Arena will offer a rotating schedule of competitive tournaments, leaderboard challenges, casual gaming, and hands-on technology experiences. Designed for Scouts of all experience levels, the activation promotes teamwork, digital citizenship, sportsmanship, and healthy competition while creating a welcoming space for Scouts to connect over a shared passion for gaming. The arena gives Scouts the opportunity to connect with friends, test their skills, and experience organized esports in an environment designed for participation, sportsmanship, and fun.

“At PlayVS, we believe gaming can be a powerful way for young people to build confidence, practice teamwork, and develop meaningful connections,” said Andrew Barnett, Partnership Lead. “Partnering with Scouting America allows us to bring that experience to one of the country’s most iconic youth gatherings and show how structured gaming can complement the values of leadership, fellowship, and skill-building that Scouting has championed for generations.”

The gaming activation will feature a high-tech mobile gaming trailer outfitted with gaming stations, virtual reality experiences, and a professional racing simulator. A dedicated event tent located alongside the trailer will expand the experience with additional console stations for free play, spectating, and community engagement throughout the Jamboree.

PlayVS aims to deliver a memorable gaming experience that brings together the excitement of play with the values of leadership, teamwork, and community.

About PlayVS

PlayVS is North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate gaming platform, helping students unlock the educational, social, and personal benefits of competitive gaming. The company brings together students, coaches, educators, and schools through structured, education-aligned competition across K–12 and college. PlayVS is the official esports partner of the NFHS Network, the Special Olympics, and state and regional organizations across the U.S. and Canada. To learn more, visit playvs.com.

Media Contact:
press@playvs.com

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SOURCE PlayVS

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