Riedel’s RefSuite updates referee, coaching and broadcast workflows in live sports, integrating hardware, software, cloud services and 24/7 remote operations into a unified workflow.
Riedel's RefSuite is a new managed system for refereeing, coaching and broadcast operations in live sports environments, customised to integrate into professional sports workflows. RefSuite combines hardware, software cloud services and 24/7 remote operations.
RefSuite is a collection of five tightly integrated modules – RefCam, RefBox, RefComms, CoachComms and RefCloud – developed in partnership with referees and industry stakeholders.
Integrated Modules
The modules range from head-mounted referee cameras and FIFA Quality-certified Video Assistant Referee (VAR) systems (RefCam and RefBox), to wireless communications based the Riedel Bolero intercom (RefComms and CoachComms) and cloud-based media management (RefCloud). RefSuite supports coordination, performance and decision-making, while capturing new immersive broadcast perspectives.
“RefSuite is the culmination of years of field experience, product innovation and direct collaboration with sports organizations,” said Lutz Rathmann, CEO Managed Technology, Riedel Communications. “As each module has already been in use in deployments worldwide, RefSuite moves away from fragmented tools and serves as a cohesive, receptive adaptable platform that supports the work of officiating, coaching and broadcast teams.”
RefSuite’s modular design makes it easier to scale and use in different ways when deploying the system at elite tournaments, national leagues or training grounds – the suite adapts to each client’s requirements and scale.
The RefCam module captures stabilized, broadcast-grade video from the referee’s POV, while the RefBox VAR review system gives synchronous control of all video sources for instant analysis, playback and clip export. RefComms and CoachComms encrypt and carry low-latency referee and team communications. The RefCloud media cloud takes the role of a central hub for secure media storage, review and collaboration.
Private 5G Network
The whole system can be extended with Riedel’s Easy5G Private 5G network, equipped for high-speed, secure data transmission for streaming RefCam video over the full pitch, or remote RefBox review workflows. As an option in a turnkey deployment, RefSuite can be combined with centralised monitoring and support via Riedel’s Remote Operations Centre (ROC).
With RefSuite, sports organisations gain a consistent, high-performance foundation for most match scenarios. Unified data access makes it possible to collaborate and make decisions in real-time, reducing setup times and training. Data flows are also unified to allow smarter tagging, exporting and archiving, standardising the user experience across referee, coach, operator and production roles.
“RefSuite represents our vision of a unified delivery and service model to meet the needs of international federations, leagues, broadcasters and production partners,” said Marc Schneider, Executive Director Global Events, Riedel Communications. “This is just the beginning. RefSuite is the first step in a new series of integrated ecosystems that will result in new capabilities for remote production, performance analysis and immersive fan experiences.” www.riedel.net
