Narrative
Broward Campuses, with the help and support of OIT-Broward Technology Services (BTS), implemented a digital signage system in all FAU campuses in Broward (Davie, Fort Lauderdale, and Dania Beach) many years ago. We selected a program called Four Winds, and we installed 11 monitors (with small PC units behind) at different locations. Since then, several of our monitors reached their end-of-life, and need to be replaced.
The Four Winds software has the capability of allowing the university to build, deploy, and maintain content on different displays, thus allowing the university to create a visual communication network. The new version of the program also allows us to use touch-screen displays that enhance the communication between the university and the students. With a touch-screen display, students (current and prospective) can interact with the display just like they interact with a Web site. This interaction will allow us to engage users with access to directories, classroom schedules, building maps, etc. Although the Broward campuses have the software, we are not using this capability, since we do not have any touch-screen displays in operation. We only have standard TVs showcasing, by means of a “slide show”, information about events.
Currently, we have several bulletin boards on each buildings’ floor showcasing campus directories. At the beginning of each semester, we print course schedules and cover the walls in the lobby of each building with these course schedule printouts. When there are room changes which affect the schedules, we needed to re-print those schedules and re-post them on the walls. Another example where the system would be very useful is in case of an emergency on the campus, since we can control the information of all these displays, we can instantly and simultaneously inform students about the nature of the emergency and provide them with the information necessary; Another use is to promote Student Activities events around campus, and to facilitate the student’s registration to these events through QR codes on the displays. These are just a few examples of why having touch-screen displays available for our students would maximize efficiency and increase productivity by engaging our current and prospective students, as well as visitors, through relevant and useful communication.
Therefore, this proposal has two purposes. First, to get the funds needed to replace our old TV displays, and secondly, to expand our visual communications network by adding several touch-screen displays at certain locations throughout our campuses. Additionally, we also wanted to request money to install a video wall in our main laboratory building (Davie West). The addition of a video wall on the lobby area of this building was made when the building was planned. In fact, a wall in the lobby was prepared with ports and with electrical outlets for this purpose. Unfortunately, the lack of funds prevented the installation. This lobby area, which is next to one of our biggest classrooms at the Davie campus (DW-103), is normally used for many internal and external events. Some of the events that have taken place in the building and used the lobby include: The Annual Campus Student Research Symposium, The Teaching with Technology Showcase, presentation by Science Scholars, etc. This video wall, will allow us to showcase highlights about the university, as well as its achievements, on a regular basis. It will also provide us with a presentation system to use when we use the space for events or during special occasions. This project will impact the over 5,000 students that attend classes and the nearly 780 employees that work across the three Broward Campuses.
This proposal will be in line with Goal #4 (Objectives 2 and 4) of the University Strategic Plan, which calls for the University to build and sustain a state-of-the-art information technology infrastructure, as well as to adopt business practices that increase productivity, maximize efficiencies, and lower overhead.
Hardware Requirements
For the regular and touch screen displays, we will need the following hardware:
• Wall mounts for the panel displays
• HDMI, Cat5e, Mini DP, and other types of cables
• Mini PCs with 60GB mSATA drive and at least 4GB of memory
• 5 non-touch 55” flat panel displays
• 10 monitors with integrated 6 point IR touch screen overlay with tempered cover glass
For the Davie West building video wall, we will need the following hardware:
• LG Video Wall Spyder4 patented 7-color sensor improves upon colorimeters that use 3-channel RGB sensors.
• DS-VW WALL SPACERS NEC X551UN, Samsung UD55C, LG 55WV70MS
• Full Service Video Wall or Recessed Opening Mount 46" to 65" with Quick Release landscape only.
• Isolation Transformer and Surge protector for Large Video walltowers.
• Wiisper 8-1U/-W81U-6403-040, Q87, i5-4590S, 120GB SATA SSD, 16RAM, 1RS232, 8USB (2F, 6R), W600-StayConnect 6xHDMI, 200PWR, C13 power PWR-CBL-002 included, Win7Pro 64 Inc, SSWin7Pro-64bit, includes FWi Swap-It Warranty
• Single Installation of Video Wall Screen and Peripherals up to 46"- 55" (Power and Data Supplied by Site)
• Installation of Touch Overlay on 2x2 video wall
• 15ft 28AWG Standard HDMI® to DVI Adapter Cable w / Ferrite Cores - Black
• 10ft 28AWG CL2 Dual Link DVI-D Cable
The approximate cost of the regular and touch screen displays is $57,296.98. The approximate cost of the video wall is $8,463.00.
Implementing Organization
This project will be implemented by the Broward Campuses Administration (Assistant Provost Office), with the assistant and support of OIT’s Broward Technology Services (BTS).
