Running a national archery event is like assembling IKEA furniture in a wind tunnel—there are instructions, but no two events ever go the same way. At ATS (ArcheryTech Solutions), we specialize in not letting the entire scoring infrastructure catch fire when 200 archers show up with questions, expectations, and very sensitive coaches.
Here’s how we prep, execute, and survive a championship weekend with something resembling professionalism.
🎯 1. Pre-Event Planning (AKA: The Calm Before the Panic)
Weeks before the first arrow flies, we’re already drowning in spreadsheets. We confirm:
- The event format (matchplay? qualifications? double 70m with coffee breaks?)
- IANSEO setup: division templates, category codes, and archer imports
- What gear needs to be hauled: tablets, scoreboard displays, network gear, backup tablets, extra chargers, and at least one morale-boosting snack pack
We also meet with organizers to make sure we’re all pretending the venue Wi-Fi is going to work.
💻 2. System Setup: IANSEO Is the Brain
IANSEO handles the scoring logic, and we interface with it like digital therapists:
- Build the event from scratch or import from Excel (yes, people still use Excel)
- Configure the matches, timing, and auto-progression
- Link everything to the public result display (the part archers refresh 500 times per hour)
We set up local network infrastructure so if the venue's internet fails (which it will), nothing crashes except our spirit.
🎥 3. Real-Time Displays: Because Archers Need To See Numbers
We run multiple displays:
- Lane screens with names and scores
- TVs for matchplay brackets
- Giant projected targets with score overlays for spectators
Everything syncs with IANSEO so the moment an arrow is scored, it’s visible everywhere. That includes the live event site, social media links, and the angry parent in the bleachers.
🧠 4. Mid-Event Support: This Is When the Weird Stuff Happens
No matter how well you prepare, the universe throws curveballs:
- Someone will submit scores in the wrong direction
- A tablet will mysteriously reboot mid-match
- A coach will demand to know why the bracket “looks wrong” (hint: it isn’t)
We have redundant scoring stations, auto-backups, and yes—printed sheets. Just in case someone’s stylus falls into a drainage ditch (true story).
🏁 5. Post-Event Wrap-Up: Publish, Archive, Exhale
Once the final arrow lands, it’s a race to:
- Confirm results
- Push scores to online platform or federation databases
- Generate certificates, rankings, and digital hugs
Then we pack everything back into our flight cases, realize we forgot one power cable, and quietly whisper never again… until next weekend.
🙌 In Conclusion
National-level scoring is intense. But with the right tech, pre-planning, and a few hundred hours of experience, it’s totally doable.
We’re here so organizers can focus on running great events—and archers can focus on what they do best: launching tiny sticks into distant circles.
Need help running your own event? Contact us here. We’ve got the systems. And yes, we pack backup chargers now.