Getting Started

Competition Control is the event management software from RECF for robotics and drone competitions. One computer at the venue runs the event, and volunteers connect tablets, laptops, and TVs to it over the local network to check in and inspect teams, queue and score matches, run alliance selection and eliminations, assign awards, and drive the audience and field displays.

This page explains what you need, walks a new Event Partner through a first event, and links to every section of the guide in the order you will use it.

What You Need

• A host computer. One Windows, Linux, or macOS computer runs the event and stores it in a single event file. It needs internet access to sign in with your RECF account and to install updates. Once an event is open, it runs without internet.
• A local network that lets devices talk to each other. Many school and venue networks block this, so Event Partners often bring a travel router or use a phone hotspot and connect the host computer and every client device to it. Client devices only need to reach the host computer, not the internet. Network Requirements has the details to hand to a venue's IT department.
• Client devices. Any tablet, phone, laptop, or TV with a modern browser. Nothing is installed on them and they store no event data, so you can swap one out at any time.

Each client device is authorized with a role, such as Scorekeeper or Check-In, and the role decides which pages it can open. Devices with the Display role show audience and field screens, and you choose what they show by assigning them to a display group.

Your First Event

Follow the phases in order. Each step links to the page with the full instructions.

Before Event Day

1. Install Competition Control on the host computer, sign in with your RECF account, and click Start Event to create an event file. See Host Computer Setup.
2. Connect a spare tablet or laptop and authorize it so you know how the process works. See Client Devices.
3. Name the event and choose its program on the General step. See Event Setup.
4. Add each competition field and mark it as an alliance field or a solo field. See Fields.
5. If the event is one session of a league, set up the sessions. See Leagues.
6. Add your teams. See Teams.
7. Choose the awards you will give out. See Awards.
8. Lay out the day in schedule blocks. See Schedule.
9. Create the practice and qualification match list. See Creating Matches.
10. Upload sponsor logos for the audience displays. See Sponsors.

A practice run is the best way to learn the flow. Create a throwaway event file, generate placeholder teams, queue and score a few matches, and then close it.

At the Venue

1. Open your event file on the host computer and connect it to the event network. Plug it in and turn off sleep.
2. Authorize each tablet, laptop, and TV with the right role, and assign each Display device to a display group. See Client Devices and Displays.
3. As teams arrive, mark them present and record inspection. See Team Check In and Inspection.
4. Queue matches to fields and run the field timer. See Queueing.
5. Score each alliance match. Rankings update as soon as a score is saved. See Field Control and Scoring and Rankings.
6. Record solo matches from the solo fields. See Solo Matches.
7. Record any rule violations. See Violations.
8. After qualifications, run alliance selection if your program uses it, then run the bracket. See Alliance Selection and Eliminations.
9. Give the judges a live view of which teams meet the Excellence requirements while they deliberate. See Excellence Eligibility.
10. Assign award winners and lock in results. See Finalize and Awards.
11. Build the ceremony slides and print the scripts. See Award Ceremony.
12. Print or save the reports you need to hand out or keep. See Reports and Printouts.

Choose which screens the audience sees on each display group at any point during the day. See Display Screens.

Note

Publishing results to RECF is not available in this version. The event file and the reports you print are the record of the event. Keep the event file and follow your program's current process for reporting results.

Reference

• Settings: event-wide options and the overview page.
• Network Requirements: local network setup and the internet addresses the host computer uses.
• Roles and Permissions: which roles can open which pages.
• Glossary: product terms explained.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: every shortcut in one place.
• Troubleshooting: error messages and how to fix them.

If you get stuck, the Support page explains how to reach the team.