DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE STADIUM MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

Stadium is a centerpiece for the hosting of major events especially sport events such as football. It is one thing to have a stadium, and it’s another thing to manage it. Ticket acquisition is a vital aspect of stadium management. The system can also be considered to be a critical one, as the failure of it would result in significant financial loss for the company managing the stadium, and, in the case of the software failing, potentially thousands of angry fans stuck outside the ground, many of whom may decide not to return − against this would have implications for the managers of the stadium, and probably the software developers too. The computer system can be used in so many ways in the stadium, for example, crowd control, processing of ticket for an event, managing office files and so on. This work concentrates on the computerized ticket, crowd control, information management in the stadium and facility management. With the aid of computer system, the data will be properly managed, organized and construction of a suitable program that will help in the management of stadium.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

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1.2 Background of Study

The advent of computer Technology has brought relief to repetitive tasks and has helped in the better management and origination of data. Information management system can be applied to any system that facilitates storage, management and retrieved of data and information required for some particular application within a computer system. This makes it easier for data to be handled or managed. The stadium staffs have been finding it so difficult to manage information for example, in the existing system where everything is processed manually, the operators find it difficult to store, locate or retrieve information when necessary. Also the issue of crowd control and ticketing, which is needed in events to generate income for the sector. Processing ticket for an event manually can be costly, time consuming and waste ticket stock which is always encountered in some event due to the excess ticket processed manually.

The role of information and communication technology (ICT) in stadium management is that systems are designed to make it easy for spectators to connect with the stadium administrators through the internet with their devices (J. R. Mehmet). It provides a mechanism that connects people, goods and services and delivers content and services that spectators can enjoy at the stadium. Furthermore, updates that generate interest in teams, players and games are made possible, which further contributes to the growth of the sports industry, which has close links to local communities, by attracting new fans and encouraging them to watch their teams live, thereby generating greater income for the stadium managers.

The current system of operation at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium is that where when matches are set to be played at the stadium, a promotional team is often set up who go around into town with flyers in a float form and some dancers alongside music trucks to promote the match at some strategic areas around town some days to the match, as well as radio and TV station advertisements. Tickets are then designed and printed which are sent out to distributors like DSTV offices, fast food joints, restaurants, etc, who sell these tickets to the customers when they come to their offices. The tickets which are not sold are returned and then disposed off, constituting a waste of money.

Strategic information management is the key to the success of any business in this digital world. All organizations understand the importance of information management and is taking initiatives towards that implementation. There are many operational benefits for an organization if a proper strategic information management is implemented. Information pertaining to the concerned department is available easily through the information systems. There is no delay in getting the information and hence the productivity of the department is increased. Information is easily shared between the department within an organization and with their clients externally. With proper security and protection to the information in the systems, there is no fear that unwanted information is disclosed with the external entities. The information used in the process is consistent.

The most important is the improvement in the decision making. The top management would find it very useful to make decisions faster than earlier when there were no information systems. It helps the organization to move forward faster. Upon educating the staff on the use of the information systems, all the processes are improved and are on fast track. Redundant information and processes are easily identified with the proper implementation of strategic information management and they are removed from the process. Cost is also reduced with the removal of redundant information and process. Lots of paper work is eliminated since all the data are available in the systems. The users know what information they have and what their clients need clearly (Dr. Dennis Wood).

Earlier, before the use of information system data would have been lost. After the implementation of the strategic information system, the data is protected and available anytime. This saves a lot of time and cost involved in replacing lost data earlier. With the strategic information management unnecessary work is eliminated thus saving time and cost. An online information-management system is a tool that can help stadium managers get the best outcome from the use of the stadium.

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1.3 Statement of Problem

Investigation revealed the following problems involved in the Online Stadium Management Information System;

1. Stadium managers have the problem of managing the booking of seats for a game or group of games to be witnessed by football fans.
2. The manual system of purchasing tickets may not be effective considering the fact that counterfeits can be produced and also sold to unsuspecting spectators.
3. The security issues and financial challenge involved in the management of the identity of people and finances in terms of ascertaining how many tickets where bought for each seat class in a football stadium is enormous.
4. Most stadiums lack an effective computerized management system that will foster the easy administration of service. It is in view of this that this study is carried out to develop a football stadium ticket acquisition system.

The existing system also encountered problem in the organization, tickets that are processed for an event and the end, there will be left over (waste ticket stock) which create loss in the finance of the stadium unable to communicate with one another in other to share information which leads to time-consuming, re-entering of information and lack of centralized system for customer information.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the Study is to develop an Online Stadium Management Information System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To design an online system for the stadium for ticket sales/ booking, and payment.
2. To facilitate easy booking and management of ticket based on available seats.
3. To design a system that will manage customer information and details of previous transactions.
4. To design an administrative system that handles crowd control and prevents defrauding of the stadium management body.

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1.5 Significance of Study

The benefits of the proposed online student stadium information management system in the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, are as follows;

1. The proposed system will manage ticket reservations and making it easier for the user to book tickets and pay electronically.
2. It will reduce the costs of organizing an event in the stadium at any point in time which will give the management more time to create awareness about events through other means.
3. It reduces the wastage of overall promotion materials and pre-printed tickets which will in many cases will not make it to the target customers.
4. It ensures effective monitoring and checking by the administration at the comfort of their internet devices.
5. It makes for orderliness in the entire stadium environment.

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1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of the research is focused on Design and Implementation of an Online Stadium Management Information System. This study will concentrate on designing and developing an online stadium booking website, as well as an administrative site with information management mechanism using the Godswill Akpabio international stadium, Uyo as a case study.

Only booking features, payment features, customer database, and ticket confirmation features will be available in the design. This limitation is posed by majorly financial and time constraints since it is only a proof of an idea.

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1.7 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).

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1.8 Definition of Terms

Stadium: Arena with tiered seats, a place where people watch sports or other activities, usually a large enclosed flat area surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators.

Ticket: A printed piece of cardboard or paper showing that the holder is entitled to admission to a place of public entertainment or a sports facility.

Football Industry: Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word football normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used.