Technology Under Pressure – A Behind The Scenes Look At The Commonwealth Games

Behind every major sporting event is an operation most spectators never see. For Glasgow 2026, that includes the print infrastructure, device support and fast-moving technical services that help keep venues, teams and Games operations running smoothly. 

We spoke to Tyler Fulton, Aspen Solutions’ newly promoted Operational Services Team Leader, about the planning, teamwork and pressure involved in supporting an event of this scale. 

In this Tech Insight, Tyler explains how Aspen’s services will support the Games behind the scenes — from installation and monitoring to rapid response and day-to-day operational reliability.

1. What might surprise people most about the technology and services needed behind the scenes to run an event like the Commonwealth Games? 

I think what would surprise people most is how much operational activity still relies on print and document management. Behind every athlete accreditation, volunteer pass, venue schedule, transport plan, logistics, documentation and operational update is a technology infrastructure that must work flawlessly. 

Reliable print services, device monitoring, supplies management and technical support all play an important role in keeping those operations running throughout the Games 

2. When people watch the Games, what important services is Aspen providing that they might not notice? 

Aspen is responsible for supplying, installing, configuring and supporting the print infrastructure used across competition venues and operational locations. We provide proactive remote monitoring, toner management, engineering support and rapid device replacement if needed. 

These services help support accreditation processes, venue operations, transport and logistics teams, scheduling, administration and game time documentation. While they may not be visible to spectators, they’re essential for keeping the event running smoothly behind the scenes. 

3. How does Aspen work with other partners, suppliers and teams to make sure everything runs smoothly? 

Delivering an event of this scale is a genuine team effort. We work closely with the team responsible for organising the games and technology partners. Canon are our technology supplier providing the equipment to make our support of the games possible. 

Communication is key. We maintain clear escalation routes, designated engineering contacts and regular coordination with all stakeholders. By planning installations carefully, monitoring devices both remotely and in person, and maintaining spare equipment ready for deployment, we can respond quickly whenever requirements change or issues arise. 

4. Live sporting events need to run without issues. How does the team get ready for and handle the pressure of such a high-profile event? 

Preparation is everything. Long before the first event takes place, our engineers are testing configurations, validating connectivity and making sure every device is ready for use. 

During the Games, we combine proactive monitoring with on-call engineering support and rapid response procedures. We also maintain spare devices and contingency plans so that if something does fail, we can restore service as quickly as possible. 

Our team has experience supporting major events and operating in fast-paced environments where reliability is critical. That preparation, combined with clear processes and experienced engineers, allows us to work confidently under pressure 

5. Why is teamwork so important when delivering technology services at an event where there is little room for mistakes? 

No single person can deliver an event like this alone. Success depends on engineers, logistics teams, project managers, suppliers and venue staff all working together towards the same goal. 

When an issue arises, communication and collaboration become just as important as technical expertise. A coordinated team can identify problems quickly, share information effectively and implement solutions with minimal disruption. 

For the Commonwealth Games, teamwork ensures that every venue, every device and every operational team receive the support they need, helping the event run smoothly from start to finish