The Swedish project manager, Mattias Andersson, and his IT team are experienced yachtsmen. They know that stamina and planning are required to handle more than seven months in coastal towns all over the world.
“The environment in the stop-overs is the worst conceivable for computer equipment. Sandy, damp, hot and high relative humidity,” says Martin Stockbridge, the team’s British IT technician.
At every stop-over, the team will be installing a local wireless network with printers and internet connections. These services will be used by journalists and by the Volvo employees who are working at the stop-overs.
The race officials will also have access to MyPlace, AB Volvo’s new PC environment.
“They will be able to connect up at the office in the UK and at the stop-overs without noticing any difference,” says Mattias Andersson.
The team will also be organising computers for visitors to the stop-overs who want to follow the race on the internet. Volvo IT is responsible for running
www.volvooceanrace.org which, during the race, will be one of the most frequently visited websites in the world.
Operational technicians and other specialists from Volvo IT will be supporting the Volvo Ocean Race in different ways, but the team at the stop-overs has to be able to handle virtually everything.
“Everything from being a carpenter to being an IT geek and network specialist,” says Mattias Andersson with a laugh.
After the start of the race in Spain, the team from Volvo IT will move on to South Africa.
“My family in the UK is behind me all the way. We shall be celebrating Christmas together in Cape Town,” says Martin Stockbridge.
What Volvo IT is doing:
- Responsible for running the official race website
- Responsible for hardware, software, communication and IT support for race officials, the press and visitors to the stop-overs
- Responsible for support and managing the race officials’ pc environment (MyPlace) at race headquarters in the UK and at the stop-overs
Volvo Ocean Race
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- Volvo IT is the official supplier of IT
- The race is designed to boost the Volvo brand and improve customer relations
- The actual race will start in November in Sanxenxo in Spain and it will end next June in Göteborg, Sweden
- The boats will call at stop-overs in Europe, Africa, Australia, South America and North America
- The race will also include so-called in-port racing near the coast, which will give spectators a chance to see the boats at close quarters
The official race website is www.volvooceanrace.org. At www.volvoit.com, Volvo IT describes the work it is doing on IT at the race stop-overs.
October 27, 2005
For further information please contact: Ann-Louise Öhrn, Vice President Corporate Communications, Volvo IT, tel: +46 (0) 31 66 10 88 or +46 (0) 708-667088,
ann-louise.ohrn@volvo.com
