Newsbyte: SAP and Panasonic Launch Joint Initiative for Video-Based Sports Analytics Solutions

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Sep 12, 2014, 12:45 ET

WALLDORF, Germany, Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- SAP SE (NYSE: SAP) today announced a joint initiative with Panasonic in which the intended goal is to co-innovate in the area of video-based sports analytics. The two companies will work to integrate the Panasonic video and tracking software with the SAP® Match Insights solution. SAP Match Insights was an analytics prototype SAP successfully developed with the German Football Association (DFB) for the soccer world championship 2014 in Brazil earlier this year and which is in development for commercialization.

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Panasonic will deliver positional data from its video analysis and software in order for SAP to analyze geographical data during a match. The HD camera Panasonic developed consists of four units attached to a rig, with real-time stitching to create a quadruple-wide (64:9) panoramic video. This set-up allows action to be captured simultaneously on the entire field. The ultra-wide-angle camera is usually suspended from the ceiling or integrated in the roof construction of a stadium. It is connected to a computer and to the internet, with Panasonic software collecting the geographical data from the players and the ball. The file containing the raw data is planned to be transferred to the SAP HANA® platform, which will dissect the geo-data into 30 positions per second to allow accurate real-time analysis of player and the ball movement.

Video-based sports analytics in combination with SAP HANA are a promising alternative to the method that uses sensors attached to a player's shin wear or the ball to capture data. It could be particularly attractive as official regulation typically prohibits wearing sensors during a live football match, while the non-intrusive use of video equipment in proximity of the pitch is allowed.

A first prototype of this joint initiative will be presented at the Panasonic stand at the IBC 2014 International Broadcasting Conference, taking place at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam from September 12-16, 2014.

SAP entered the sports and entertainment business two years ago, transforming the industry with innovative solutions that help teams and leagues improve their performance, maximize revenue streams and enhance the fan experience. SAP is successfully collaborating with a number of well-known sports organizations and associations in sailing, golf, Formula 1 racing, cricket, American football, baseball, tennis, basketball and football. Especially in football, SAP has generated a lot of attention with the analysis of performance indicators for players and teams.

For more information, visit the SAP News Center. Follow SAP on Twitter at @sapnews.

Media Contact:
Kamila Laures, +49 (30) 41092-252, [email protected], CET

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SOURCE SAP SE