The initial idea was to develop an umpiring software to help the work of umpire team with a database
which is using the start list from the organizing committee as an input
then during the event it is recording details of umpiring activities
and finally the output of the software is storing the results of all race events, not only with respect of ranking and time results, but also any important comments, remark for the crews/heats.
For the stable functioning of umpiring application it is key to access start list, timetable, athletes and crew details in timely manner, including the information on changes made in last minute before race is starting, or changes happening during the race is ongoing.
Based on our experiences the organizing committees are using different approaches, different softwares to handle all information in managing competitions (different format of event list, entry list, different method of time keeping, different format of result list, etc). This is true specially for non-FISA events. FISA events are managed mainly by Swiss Timing.
As it is challenging to map the umpire program to all the variations, we are offering an organizing committee and team-manager component as well beside the umpire software, these could be used on rowing events not taken care of by Swiss Timing.
Advantages:
Mobility – using mobile equipments and internet connectivity, information is accessible either on the pontoons or in the motorboats or anywhere else around the course, works not only on pre-installed devices, anybody could use their own tools (smart phone, tablet)
Data integrity – using a central database all users are looking at and working with the same details (no misunderstandings from using different printed hardcopy versions)
Time factor – using internet connectivity any update is written into the central database within a few seconds, information sharing is significantly shorter compared to radio/phone communication
Environment friendly – making less printouts and generating less paper waste
Harmonized protocol – common format for online entries, common format for start list and result list, putting umpire duties and controls into a software protocol considering both the rules and the best practices
Less human error – the harmonized protocols and the almost immediate information sharing (time factor) support reducing number of human errors
Direct users:
Umpires
FISA committee members
Organizing Committee members
Team-managers
Indirect users:
Athletes, coaches, spectators, and the whole broader rower community – all of them are going to have benefit on indirect way from the smoother handling of competition and from easier accessibility to online startlist, changes and result list.
Prerequisites:
Input data needed from Swiss Timing’sprogram (For FISA events):
Startlist, Entry list (personal data, photos), Changes, Results
