Reading FC secures cashless, VoIP plans

Reading FC has installed new security appliances it is using as the basis for a number of ongoing IT-based projects.

It is currently deploying voice over internet protocol (VoIP) functionality and a contactless and cashless ticketing and hospitality system that will be trialled by 2,000 of its fans at its next home game against Birmingham on 22 March.

The Premiership club needed to replace an existing appliance from the Cisco PIX range that was coming to the end of its life. But its needs had also grown, where it also now had two new sites, a new training ground and fulfilment warehouse for its branded merchandise sales.

Garry Hanson, Reading FC IT manager, told IT PRO: "I had to make the business case for new investment. But then we would have had to maintain the old system, as well as buy two new ones, which would've meant two interfaces to manage and two lots of reports too."

So just before the beginning of this current football season, Reading installed three separate appliances from provider, SonicWALL at each of the sites, using virtual private network (VPN) tunnels to connect them together.

The SonicWALL TZ 180, TZ 190 and PRO 2040 appliances also have an expanded level of functionality, in addition to their standard VPN and firewall features. The club also relies on them for anti-virus, intrusion detection and prevention and email security scanning capabilities. And IPSec VPNs between each location, remote workers and outside suppliers ensure that all traffic remains secure.

"When I was choosing SonicWALL, I wanted to make sure the appliances would be future-proof because we were looking at VoIP at the time," added Hanson. "It allows us to devote our time to other IT projects that generate more value for the Club on a business level."

Of the contactless system, Hanson added: "One of the club's biggest security considerations is data protection. The SonicWALL investment gave me the piece of mind I needed to go ahead with such a project."

In working with its contactless technology partner Fortress GB, Hanson said the stadium has had to make minimal hardware and software changes to accommodate the new wireless systems, having installed first-generation technology four years ago.

"I want to see fans come to the club without having to actually ever use money, so we have [radio frequency identification] chips in tickets and season ticket cards that allow access through the turnstiles and that can be topped up in the stadium or online to buy their drinks and pies at half-time. But we had to make sure all of the data would secure," Hanson said.

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