A CENTRALIZED APPROACH
TO DIGITAL SIGNAGE
David W. Fleig, PMP
Project Manager, Wayne State University
Patrick J. Gossman, Ph.D.
Deputy CIO, Wayne State University
Wayne State Fast Facts
32,000 students
13 schools and colleges
400 degree and certificate programs
Most diverse university in Michigan:
students from 50 states and 70+ countries
Six extension centers throughout Southeast Michigan
Overview
Goals of the Project
Organization (People, Funding, Content)
Technology (Hardware, Software, Network)
Successes
Lessons Learned
Future
To this…
Pretty simple, eh?
Launch digital signage as a . . .
University-wide collaborative,
Across schools and colleges,
Across multiple campuses,
Showcase important people, news and events
Inform ourselves and visitors
A bit more complex…
Project Management (C&IT) President VP Chief of Staff Budget Office C&IT CIO’s Office Infrastructure & Operations Enterprise Applications Customer Service Network Security Telecom Video & TV Business Operations Communications Marketing VP Graphic Design Content Development News & Information Services Facilities Project Managers Architecture & Engineering Construction Trades Inspection & Life Safety Art Curator Purchasing Buyer Software Buyer Hardware Legal Dept / College (Customers) Deans Directors Staff Students Extension Centers Vendors Software Hardware Training Installation MaintenanceHere are the politics…
Lots of different players
Different wants and desires
Different content
Who will pay?
Who will have control?
Competing Goals
Goals
Image
Inform, Unify, and Market
Branding
Timeframe: Immediate vs. Planned
Content: Local vs. University
Control (Content and Look): Local vs. University
Funding and Resources
Content/Image Control Model
Image and Design – Marketing and Communications
Central Content – Marketing and Communications
Local Content – Local School/College/Dept
Funding Model
Central funding from President’s office
Central hardware and software
Signs in general purpose areas
Local funding from units
Local signs
Installation and replacement
Support from C&IT
Software
Just the University
Shared Time
Local, University, National
How did we get here?
Project chartered in Fall 2008
Great team formed
Agreed to work toward the common goal
Architectural team understood value of standardization, centralization
Multiple funding sources and multiple ownership helped tie all together
Successes
Great team!
It looks good!
We are “catching eyeballs”
Many positive comments about image of WSU and reaction to postings
Love time and weather, CNN with captions
Central support great in eyes of customer
End result: It works!
Lessons Learned
Top Support – policy and funding
Must have a clear goal and buy-in by entire team
Easier to centralize BEFORE everyone adopts their own standard
It’s all about the content
You can’t get everyone to play
Challenges
Bring all schools and colleges into the fold
Content creation limited by staffing, both central and local
Create once, publish everywhere has limitations
Not making use of extensive software capabilities yet
What happens in 3 years?
Future
Student channel
More signs
Get outliers in
More tailored content
Technology
Getting Started Location Architecture Installation Equipment Construction Challenges Examples Future Lessons LearnedGetting Started
Two Tech Teams
Hardware and software
Architecture and network design
Goal – Single Source
Accountability and coordination
Standard RFP Approach
Software
Getting Started
“No Dark Signs”
Key philosophy
Development Stations
Marketing
IT Customer Service
IT Enterprise Applications
Present Day
45+ signs installed
25+ buildings
Location, Location, Location
Goal – “Capture eyeballs”
Customer First Environment Heat Ambient light Security Display size
Architecture
How does it work?
No precedent Centralized Virtual Production Development Common image
Architecture
Installation
More than “Just hang a display…”
“No Dark Signs”
Buy it…
Hardware & Software
Build it…
Prepare walls or ceilings
Field conditions, historic buildings, etc.
IT
Program it… Push content
Equipment
Flat panel display
Computer
Software
Mount
Equipment
Flat panel display
Computer
Software
Equipment
NEC 52” or 46” LCD displays
1920 x 1080p HDTV 16:9
Narrow bezel, Commercial Players
Now Micro DMP-900
Small form factor computer
Fast and powerful as possible
“Keep it cool” Software
Four Winds Interactive, Inc.
Content manager
Player application
Windows 7
Common Image
Construction
Construction
“No Dark Signs”
Coordination Trades Carpenters Painters Electricians Communications Technical staff Audio-Visual
Cost & Time
Construction $500 - $5,000…depends Equipment $4,000 per sign…all in Total $7,500 Average per sign
Lead times
AC Power
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Power failures Significant challenge Players (computers) OS (Windows 7) Displays Be Prepared… Random recovery Solution
Small, disposable UPS?
Heat & Ventilation
Significant challenge
Content impact
HOT SPOT
Heat & Ventilation
Heat & Ventilation
Alternative
MUCH COOLER
Heat & Ventilation
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College of Nursing
Examples
Examples
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Examples
Examples
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Real time monitoring
Audio, video and closed captioning
MPEG-4 AVC (Part 10)
H.264 HD 720p 6.5 Mbps Multicast VLC Loudspeakers
Other Issues
Future
Interactivity – unlikely, but maybe…
Emergency messaging
Audio
Live streaming of special events
Enhanced remote management
Improved monitoring and QC
Additional signs
Successes
Great teamwork Great partners Solid design Centralized Smooth integration Satisfied customersLessons Learned
Heat AC power
Customer service and maintenance
Spares and warranties
Player computing power
Content impact
Networking
Centralized operations
Test and development facilities
Training
Codes and inspections
Thanks!
Please feel free to give
us a call
David W. Fleig, PMP
Project Manager, Wayne State University
dfleig@wayne.edu
(313) 577-0845
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