Visix - Dynamic Visual Messaging for your Environment.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is an urban research and academic health sciences campus, with 22 schools and academic units which grant degrees in over 200 programs from both Indiana University and Purdue University.

IUPUI was created in 1969 as a partnership by and between Indiana and Purdue Universities, with IU as the managing partner. With over 29,000 students representing 49 states and 122 countries, IUPUI is the second-largest campus in the Indiana University state wide system.

IUPUI has been using digital signage to communicate with students and faculty for a little over five years. “Originally, we turned to digital signage as an alternative to the classic bulletin board system,” says Nathan Byrer, Technology Director, University College. “The boards always had outdated postings and messages got lost in the clutter.”

Last year, the university switched to AxisTV from an outdated legacy system. “AxisTV allows us to expand up instead of out,” commented Byrer. “We had another provider, but they didn’t update their product. There was no expansion of its features or capabilities, and it worked on old push technology.”

Visix’s regularly scheduled and published updates for AxisTV held huge appeal for Byrer, who is continuously looking to enhance and expand the system’s capabilities. The built-in integration for Dean Evans and Associates EMS Enterprise® scheduling software was another solid advantage. “AxisTV provides everyone on campus more opportunities and greater access to information,” says Byrer. “We’re working to leverage technology to maximize our communications.”

IUPUI is currently running AxisTV v.6.4 Professional Edition with thirteen channel players driving content to a mix of plasma screens and 17 inch computer monitors mounted in corridors and gathering places throughout University College and the Library. JagTV – as their AxisTV system is branded – is also piped into dorm rooms using a campus cable feed.

“Our focus is on student services,” continues Byrer. “We use digital signage to direct students to the Career Center, the Mentoring Center, Academic Advising, International Affairs and Rec-Sports.” Bulletins, tickers, PowerPoint® and event schedules all contribute to JagTV. Content includes room schedules, student organization notices and general communications. IUPUI newsletter content is republished in a bottom ticker. They also use the External Graphic Link option to pull weather maps and information from the Web.

“Manageability is fantastic compared to competitors,” says Byrer. His team heads up the creative process, but other departments have direct access to publish their messages. The Communications and Marketing department contributes content for one of three windows on plasma displays. The large window holds graphics created by Byrer’s team, with the third window displaying bulletins from other departments. “The Web interface is really easy and brings down the training barrier.”

Student organizations currently work through a request and approval process to publish communications. “We’re exploring the idea of letting design students create AxisTV content as part of their course work. The projects would benefit our programs, and allow the students to build their portfolio,” comments Byrer.

IUPUI is looking at several options to expand their visual communications program. There is interest by the Communication and Marketing team to deploy between 25 and 30 new displays. Dining Services is also looking into digital signage and a new Campus Center scheduled to open in early 2008 is considering installing 10 to 20 displays running AxisTV.

One exciting new option under consideration is the MessageBlox™ Text Messenger application which sends AxisTV ticker and bulletin text out to registered cell phones. “We surveyed students and got a positive response,” says Byrer. “It seems like everybody has a cell phone, so it could be a good fit. We can have students subscribe to the service by signing up during orientation.” The service could go online as early as next semester.

Other universities often solicit IUPUI to learn how digital signage can help them. Byrer’s advice – “I tell them to compare the options like display integration, channel players and add-on features. I also strongly advise them to determine if a provider is committed to regular, scheduled technology updates. If they do all of that, I believe they will find a lack of true competitors to AxisTV.”

► Download PDF Version of this article (985 Kb)