Re-imagine and deliver a seamless, world-class platform and a cutting-edge back-end system in just eight weeks?
No problem…
Challenge
As a joint venture of the South African, New Zealand, and Australian Rugby Unions, SANZAAR needed a solution that was efficient, brand-aware, and built to handle the complexities of a multi-continental operation.
The organisation challenged us to deliver on two core, non-negotiable fronts:
- Back-End Efficiency: We needed to architect a secure extranet solution to manage crucial data and, most critically, implement a virtual video review solution for the judiciary. Traditionally, flying the judiciary from three continents to a single location was a costly and time-consuming process; they needed us to leverage the internet and technology to be more efficient and effective.
- The Fan Experience: We had to redesign and re-launch a brand new digital presence for both Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship, simultaneously extending their reach into social media.
Solution
We didn't just build a website; we delivered a comprehensive digital and technological platform that was robust, accessible, and scalable. This was our plan of attack, uniting three brands and streamlining global operations:
Unified, Seasonal Branding
To deal effectively with the three separate brands and competitions, we developed a single go-to site that automatically transforms its appearance based on the current season, ensuring the tournament is always the hero.
Streamlined Judicial Process
We implemented Adobe Connect Web Conferencing as the backbone of the new judicial system. This revolutionary change allows broadcasters to upload footage, and the judiciary from three continents to meet online, in real-time, to make decisions, dramatically slashing both time and travel costs.
Real-time Data Integration
We integrated with the Fox Sports Data API to automatically import real-time game fixtures, results, ladder standings, and player statistics into SANZAAR's system.
Video Power and Analytics
We leveraged Brightcove’s industrial strength video serving platform to give SANZAAR greater control over their video assets and detailed insights into what content was working.
Global Accessibility
The content on the platform is automatically translated for the Argentinian audience.
Core Technology
The entire project was built on a single technology platform, adhering to the latest web-standards for an efficient, search-friendly, and accessible solution.
Results
In just eight weeks, the project leapt from inception to a hugely successful launch, on time and on budget. The results for the revitalised digital platform were instant:
Total site visits climbed to almost 600,000 - up 400% year on year.
Average visit length increased by 200%.
Attention to SEO led to 62% of hits coming from native Google searches.
The new social media extension saw 35% of new visitors arriving via the new Facebook page.
Online international judiciary meetings have dramatically cut time and expenses.
Three separate brands were successfully repositioned and unified online across the website and social media channels.
Platforms
Summary
We not only provided fans with a modern, engaging hub for their favourite tournaments but also fundamentally restructured SANZAAR's operational process. By taking the judiciary process online and integrating real-time data, we proved that technological efficiency can score huge savings while simultaneously driving massive audience growth.
Just wanted to express our greatest thanks for the way webqem handled the project. We love the look and feel of the new competition sites, and have seen some fantastic benefit coming out of them. Our Extranet has become so user friendly now and is such a massive improvement on what we had previously. The approachability, flexibility and patience demonstrated by the webqem team has made the process a pleasure.
Lyndon Bray, SANZAAR Game Manager
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