University Business - February 2011 - (Page 27)

Say it with Signage D Have a Vision universitybusiness.com Producing content for digital signage doesn’t need to be difficult. Here’s how campus administrators are making it happen. By Ann McClure igital signage has existed on campuses in some form for decades. originally, it was standard television sets embedded in the wall with a slow crawl of text showing campus news. now, high-quality flatscreens display live tV, text, and information tickers all at the same time. “the overriding goal is to communicate important events that are occurring within a reasonably short period of time,” says michael hoffberg, who handles strategic planning and consulting for the university information technologies department at Villanova University (pa.). digital signage can be used to enhance both the ability to communicate with students as well as the overall student experience on campus, explains mike Zmuda, director of business development at nec. it is also a quick and easy way to refresh and modernize a campus. “You can’t replicate times square, but when you have something that echoes it, you get an association,” says mohammed Khayum, associate dean of the college of Business at the University of Southern Indiana. But even the biggest plasma screen is boring when it’s blank. “content should be the first step,” cautions ryan cahoy, managing director at rise display. “You can buy a fancy car, but if it doesn’t have a good engine, it won’t get you anywhere.” Knowing what you are going to say is as important as how you are going to say it. here are six rules to follow when creating content for your digital signage. heard stories about $100,000 equipment purchases, followed by the question, “Where can we get content?” spencer W. graham, manager of operations for WVu information stations, West Virginia University’s digital signage network, has. he says it’s got to be discussed up front. “otherwise you’ll need a big checkbook because there is a premium to get content up.” WVu’s preliminary plans to install signage were accelerated after the 2007 Virginia Tech tragedy. although the driving force was emergency messaging, the ability to quickly and easily provide other information to campus constituents was desirable. the initial discussions at least should take place at a high level when determining the goals of the installation. “fundamentally, the most successful systems view the signs as a strategic communication system,” says doug Bannister, ceo and director of software development at omnivex corporation. February 2011 | 27

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - February 2011

University Business - February 2011
Table of Contents
Editor’s Note
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Behind the News
Viewpoint
Internet Technology
Say it With Signage
A Bursar’s Best Friend
The Lease Piece
Don’t Stop Thinking About the Future
Say it With Signage
Independent Outlook
What’s New
End Note

University Business - February 2011