WA racing organisation supports e-commerce with Cisco network

As part of a complete IT infrastructure modernisation program, Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) has implemented a Unified Computing System (UCS) and a core and distributed network from Cisco.

RWWA is responsible for ensuring the integrity and long-term viability of thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing in Western Australia. RWWA is also responsible for wagering and sports betting where it trades as The TAB in 322 locations and 58 racetracks state wide.

The organisation’s IT must support online, real-time transactions that occur by the second. This is coupled with the need to access information and complete transactions with high security and reliability from an increasingly mobile customer base.

The Cisco core and distributed network plays an important role in enabling RWWA to deal effectively with the consistently high volume of requests generated, for example, by major events such as Melbourne Cup when RWWA handles around $27 million worth of transactions.

UCS has been employed at RWWA to be the backbone of its brand new interactive TV and mobile application betting systems.

RWWA’s legacy system had 65 management points across the network. After consolidating and virtualising its data centre on the UCS, this has been reduced to six. This reduction is expected to reduce power consumption and simplify management of RWWA’s applications.

The new IP network connects all RWWA’s people, information and devices with high security. It helps maintains business continuity and productivity by providing the organisation with high uptime and availability.

Glen Fee, CIO of RWWA, said: “[RWWA’s] innovative systems require the highest level of security and availability and the Cisco Unified Computing System provides us with the capability to meet this business and marketplace demand.