Campus Alerts

West Chester U Expands Departmental Digital Signage

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 06/02/10

A Pennsylvania university has installed digital signage that allows departments to distribute custom content to nearby screens. West Chester University (WCU) has also integrated its emergency alert and campus text notification systems into the network's software platform, allowing alerts to override content on all screens in case of emergencies. The network currently includes 22 displays in 13 campus locations, and the project continues to expand.

Working with audiovisual system integrator Visual Sound to design and build the network, the university chose Scala Content Manager as its digital signage platform.

"After extensive review and testing, Scala software was the most suitable option for what we were looking for. It integrated well with our systems, and it was the most user friendly," said Teresa Hudson, tech fee support specialist.

The university allows student clubs, faculty members, and departments to run digital displays free on the network by filling out an online form. According to Web site instructions, the "ad" will be displayed for 13 seconds on dates specified by group or individual.

Scala's software is also in use at Utah Valley University in Orem and the University of Florida in Gainesville, among other institutions.