- BLOOMINGTON, IN--The number of digital signage deployments on university campuses in the U.S. has skyrocketed during the past few years. Earlier this year, Indiana University (IU) Bloomington joined the fray when it launched a campus-wide digital network to more quickly broadcast important news and information to students and staff.
- With the aid of Digital AV, a Scala Certified Partner based in Fort Wayne, Ind., IU’s Auxiliary IT group installed 30 40-inch LCD monitors and computers powered by Scala digital signage software. The complete installation took less than one year to accomplish, and the network was fully operational in spring 2009.
- “Digital media is not only modern and eye-catching to students, but it’s less of a hassle than printed materials,” said Aaron Sudduth, Senior System Administrator of IU’s Auxiliary IT Services. “It’s evident that the marketing departments have been able to reduce the cost of printing, and the real return has been on getting information to students and staff much faster.”
- Users can access a Web-based template that can be used by any authorized Web browser to input the content into a Microsoft SQL database. This ability to remotely access the system brings great functionality to the system and is one of the most powerful components built into Scala Content Manager.
- Using Scala software on the university network, IU Auxiliary IT now has the ability to drive more than 30 channels of individualized content to numerous screens all across campus. Currently, LCD monitors are located in all 12 campus dormitories, food service areas, parking operations and the IU Memorial Union Building. Additionally, one digital signage channel is tied directly to the TV cable network within the Memorial Union hotel to display meeting announcements and other upcoming events in each meeting room.
- Moving forward, Auxiliary IT would like to integrate digital signage with IU’s emergency alert system, which is currently set up to send emergency text and e-mail messages to students on the go. Additionally, IU plans to investigate ways to harness this technology as a digital way-finding system for the Student Union.
