Graphics and data integration specialist SMT establishing UK office
SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology), the US-based industry provider of seamless real-time data integration, graphics presentation, and video enhancement solutions to live sports telecasts and live sports venue productions, has announced it is establishing a United Kingdom office from which to address its growing UK and European client base.
SMT’s broad suite of products and services will soon be available directly to clients in the UK and Europe from SMT’s UK base. SMT has built a reputation in the United States as a pioneer in the field of live sports graphics enhancements and is at the forefront of the real-time application of object tracking technology in live sports. In addition, SMT designed, developed and supports the official scoring systems, the official statistics systems, and the official on-site live presentation systems for the NBA, the NHL, The PGA TOUR, NASCAR, the CrossFit Games, and all four majors in tennis and golf.
SMT’s data and visual graphics platforms, systems, and products can track any sports entity in real time, including tracking ball position and player position; assist officials with line calling; and provide officials with tools needed to efficiently and effectively review video to make official rulings.
SMT plans to launch its next-generation computer-vision platform, called “Eden”, from its UK office. Under development for the past 30 months, SMT’s Eden technology will provide TV broadcasters with a reliable option for covering full broadcast sports action using only unmanned camera positions. SMT’s Eden platform uses SMT’s computer-vision engine and computer-decision algorithms to intelligently control camera and lens servos to automatically track and capture all relevant sports action without the need for dedicated camera operators.
“Opening this office in the U.K. represents a vital and exciting step in fulfilling SMT’s broader global expansion strategy,” says SMT founder and CEO Gerard J. Hall. “For years, SMT’s European-based clients have shown keen interest in having direct access to SMT’s products and services from within the convenience of their own geography. SMT London will allow SMT to work in much closer proximity to our European clients as we continue to develop ways to enhance, refine, and improve the overall viewing experience offered to European sports broadcast consumers.”
“With our longstanding and deep relationships with several major golf and tennis events in the UK and on the continent, it makes proper business sense for SMT to establish a real physical year-round presence in Europe,” says Rallis Pappas, president of SMT’s Jacksonville office.
SMT plans to ramp up the UK office to 20 full-time staff members by year-end and currently is in the final stages of negotiating with key market segment insiders for executive management positions. “Significant hiring announcements are expected within the next 60 days,” said Hall. “This is a very exciting time in SMT’s history.”