20 August 2019
The Crescent Motorcycle Company has 65 years’ experience of supplying motorcycles, parts and accessories, as well as racing competitively for more than 25 years in BSB, WSBK, MotoGP, Enduro and MotoX and most recently as the Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team.
In an industry where a split second can be the difference between being victorious and not placing at all, the company knew it needed access to fast and reliable internet access to support its vital race operations. What’s more, Crescent Racing’s Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team was in serious need of a connectivity solution that could be utilised no matter where in the world the team was located.
However, each venue is very different to the next and with no way of implementing a permanent connection, Crescent turned to its tried and trusted technology partner GCI to offer a solution that could be utilised no matter where in the world the team was located.
GCI provided one of its rapid network deployment kits; a fully-managed internet and MPLS WAN service that offers enterprise-grade connectivity on a global scale.
Portable and supplied fully configured, the solution works by bonding 4G bandwidth from multiple carriers using global roaming SIMs, fixed-line connections or even a combination of both, creating a single virtual IP connection. The bonded connection maximises throughput to reach speeds of up to 300Mbps. As well as providing internet access for the Pit Crew, the device is also used in the team’s hospitality area - which hosts sponsors and special guests – ensuring that all attendees can connect and have an enhanced experience without the team having to worry about how to enable guest Wi-Fi.
GCI’s rapid network deployment solution can be up and running in under 10 minutes. Additionally, if the team reached a venue where it was assumed that the connectivity would be strong but transpired that it wasn’t sufficient, GCI could despatch the device to reach the team within 24 hours anywhere within Great Britain. The solution is also managed and maintained by GCI meaning that the kit is regularly serviced to make sure that the team can continue to receive the same fast and robust connectivity time after time.
“This solution was exactly what we needed,” says Paul Denning, team principal at Crescent Racing, Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team. “ We already use Microsoft Skype for Business from GCI to allow our team to keep in touch when they are on the move or at one of the tracks, and reliable, fast internet access is therefore vital for us. However, there can be issues trying to connect at a venue where there are potentially hundreds of other devices – both from the teams and spectators – trying to utilise the same internet connection, and so being able to take this kit from place to place is hugely beneficial. It’s easy to use and fully maintained by GCI so we don’t have to worry about our connectivity – we can be sure that it’s taken care of.”
Today Crescent has an easy-to-use solution that offers enterprise-grade connectivity, no matter where in the world the team is racing or testing. Rapid network deployment overcomes the potential issue of mobile devices having intermittent or no network coverage by using multiple SIMs from different carriers, allowing the trackside and office teams to always keep in touch with each other. Crescent also utilises its fast internet access to update its social media channels for fans across the globe, enabling them to get minute-by-minute updates.
