For Arcsom, padel digitalization is child's play

A sports system

PLCnext is at the core of the system. "With PLCnext, Phoenix Contact has created an open platform that is based on Linux. Any system can be connected safely," says Phoenix Contact's Hugo Van Rillaer.

"In this case, the padel boxes where the PLCnext magic happens, are connected via MQTTS with Arcsom's Kheiron app. These boxes, which Phoenix Contact developed with Arcsom, contain all the necessary inputs and outputs for complete control. Arcsom programs the PLC and the Kheiron dashboard to suit the club's specific needs. It's a cloud-based solution: the settings can be adjusted from anywhere. The club owners determine which procedures they wish to deploy through the front end, the user part of the Kheiron app. For example, at the end of a session the lights could blink twice, to indicate to the players their reservation time has ended," says Arcsom's Kristof Brouwers.

"In addition to a PLC, customers like an app and a connection to the cloud. Phoenix and Arcsom provide this total solution by working together," observes Hugo Van Rillaer.

 "The Tennis Vlaanderen reservation system has a software interface which allows two applications to communicate with each other," says Kristof Brouwers. In the Tennis Vlaanderen app, players can book their tennis and padel courts. The app then registers information such as the duration, the specific court and the number of players. "Tennis Vlaanderen shares this data via an API with Arcsom, which uses it to control the lighting and access codes to the courts," says Tennis Vlaanderen's Sascha Van Itterbeeck.

A very favourable investment

Investing in PLCnext Technology quickly pays off: it is energy-efficient, staff costs fall and the courts are used more and for a longer time.  

"In the past, an employee could forget to turn off the lights at the end of a busy day and then they would stay on all night. On a digitalized site, that's a thing of the past. This way Arcsom reduces energy waste. There's also no need for staff members to be present, since the app does all the work," says Kristof Brouwers. "Club owners and trainers manage the settings themselves through the Kheiron app. This provides ease of use, clarity, detailed information and the ability to add other integrations: CO2 measurement, sprinkler systems, a heating connection and access control."

"We want to unburden the customer," says Wannes Blondelle. "The clubs get notifications on the condition of the courts, a reminder when maintenance is required and a message with the annual light consumption." In addition, the padel boxes with PLCnext Technology offer additional safety: "Because we comply with IEC 62443, the international series of standards, the chance of security leaks remains minimal. The PLC is open to today's IoT world and it establishes connections easily, as it does with the Kheiron app," says Hugo Van Rillaer.

The automation extends beyond padel or tennis and can also be used on other sports fields or sports halls. Are your sports facilities ready for an upgrade? Then Arcsom is the true solution.