CHALLENGE:
The Boston University School of Law needed a cost effective way to better communicate throughout the campus with the faculty and staff.

Like most universities, Boston University’s School of Law had several announcements that it needed to communicate to students on a daily basis, such as meeting times and places for student organizations, news, information on campus-wide events, and special announcements like security or emergency messages. Until recently, the school had been relying on old-fashioned announcement ways, including paper posters and bulletin boards. Both of these methods were inefficient and required too much regular maintenance. Security alerts, in particular, needed to be centrally managed and activated immediately.

SOLUTION:
In September 2008, after several months of considering various communication alternatives, the university installed digital displays to better disseminate information throughout the BU Law community.

The school chose technology by Aerva that enables a university to become its own interactive but private broadcast network. University administrators are able to create, schedule and manage custom content, including video, text and images on flat screen digital displays.

These displays were installed in high traffic areas and in places where students tend to gather, including the BU School of Law’s main foyer and elevator platforms.

RESULTS:
Aerva’s digital signage software helped the Boston University School of Law better communicate with students and faculty in a way that is both captivating and efficient. Aerva’s system is also low-maintenance and does not impact heavily on the school’s staffing resources.

The system enables the university to easily create, schedule and manage custom content that is displayed on each digital screen, including student and staff profiles as well as a campus event calendar. The system also displays a live feed of local and national news and weather.

There is also a special region of the screen area that is dedicated to emergency alerts, the contents of which can be managed by the security personnel.

“Students definitely take notice of the displays. The live information grabs their attention much more than a static sign or bulletin board. And we put all of the displays in high-traffic areas so a large percentage of the student body has access to it every day,” said Wil Khouri, Director of Systems & Technology.