Super Bowl XLIII used 21st century technology to ensure that fans had a positive experience yesterday.

The NFL selected InStadiumSolutions (ISS) to provide text messaging capabilities to their fans in order to report any unruly or negative behavior. Fans were able to text issues from their mobile phone directly to the security command center in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

"Our strategy is trying to get penetration in venues and stadiums across the country with 15,000-plus patrons, on both collegiate and professional levels," said Scott Meyers, vice president of sales and marketing for ISS, Sunrise, FL. "The NFL has instituted a fan code of contact to try to curtail obnoxious, rude fan behavior to make it a better experience for fans at the stadium.

"They want to give fans a voice to empower them to have a say in what's happening around them," he said. "There are a limited number of security personnel, so SMS lets fans voice an opinion without having to stand up and be identified as a snitch.

"It's discrete and anonymous."

The goal of the ISS Text Messaging System is to let fans have a voice and allow the venue to handle issues quickly and effectively.

Text messaging is the simplest tool to give fans a voice and allow venues to act upon the various issues that may crop up during a game.

The ISS platform lets venues increase their efficiency in handling those issues and connect with their fans via text messaging.

This by InStadiumSolutions tool is being implemented by venues in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA and NASCAR.

There is a stadium command post at Dolphins Stadium, where ISS is also being used.

The ISS system was recently used at the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 8, held at Dolphins Stadium.

Other NFL teams using the ISS platform include the San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.

"Several other NFL teams are in the process of adding the ISS system before next season," Mr. Meyers said.

Other ISS clients include the University of Miami, University of Southern Mississippi, the Sprint NASCAR Cup at the Homestead Miami Speedway, the NBA's Miami Heat and MLB's Florida Marlins.

InStadiumSolutions offers text messaging services for any type of venue. Its system allows stadium issues to be received within seconds by stadium staff for quick response and resolution.

The Web-based software platform provides stadiums, arenas and other venues with event reports that can be exported to Microsoft Excel.

The ISS system can perform several other functions including use as a staff communication channel and as a parking and weather alert system.

Also, it gives venues and teams the ability to run interactive games and contests and send after-game permission-based marketing messages.

The ISS Web-based software can be accessed anywhere in the world from any Internet-connected computer or mobile phone.

Each venue has its own unique user name and password to login at http://www.InStadiumSolutions.com to access the unique secure private administration panel.

Multiple venue staff personnel can be logged on simultaneously to increase response effectiveness.

The goal of ISS is to prevent fans from having to endure a game sitting by an unruly fan and possibly having to miss part of the game to find someone to rectify the problem.

"In the past, some fans would grin and bear it and leave unhappy, and that affects the bottom line," Mr. Meyers said. "It's expensive to bring a whole family to a game, and if they have a bad experience they might not come back.

"And it's not just for unruly fans," he said.

"This system could be used to help with medical emergencies and for interactive fan polls and games, 'Text A, B or C to this short code,' which would provide teams with a mobile phone number database of its fans for remarketing opportunities."