The customer was one of the UK’s leading universities in science and technology upholding a long tradition of producing some of our best scientists and engineers.

The university required a new campus information system in order to deliver many types of messages across campuses, this was to be done through digital signage in entrances, lobbies and interactive kiosks. The system needed to be instantly updatable and provide up-to-the-minute information on news, stocks, sports scores, weather, traffic reports as well as to present event schedules and other social information to increase audience awareness and interaction throughout the campus. Students could also provide their own sporting or social event news. This solution would also allow the university to generate revenue by running adverts for local businesses.

Although the university had the in house skills to develop the software, they were not in a position to specify the required digital signage hardware. Amplicon worked in partnership with the university to propose a commercially viable and reliable solution that would meet their immediate needs as well as offering future expansion.

NDiS-161D2 Occupying a depth of less than 5cm. Ideal for retrofitting to the back of displays or for use in kiosks with limited space. View product

40 Rugged Displays varying from 17” to 42” with some being touchscreen were linked around the campus via Ethernet with a variety of 2172, 2172R Ethernet extenders and Adder A/V extenders. These were networked back to a central server ( Impact-S 2000 ) via unmanaged switches which also allowed for a webcam of the city centre to be displayed.

For screens that needed to be individually controlled an NDiS 161D2 Digital Signage Player with Intel® Core™ 2 Duo/ Core™ Duo/ Celeron® M Fan-less system was installed alongside the display.

Model 2172 Used in pairs, these units will extend existing Ethernet network connections up to 1.8km. View product

The project was a complete success with installation being completed on time. The high IP rating of the units allowed for easy cleaning and the equipment still looks as new as the day it was supplied. Students are now working hard on developing new applications and thinking of ways to improve and enhance the current set up, and with a new halls of residence planned for 3 years time a further 3 displays will be added to the network. It is also anticipated that in the future this campus will be used as a demonstration site for other universities.