The Client

A major upgrade of audio-visual technologies has revolutionised teaching methods at Nottingham Trent University (NTU).

The project has seen academics embrace digital delivery of teaching to promote greater collaboration and enable the capturing and sharing of learning and research materials.

Part of the wider £350m investment designed to create an inspiring learning environment, it was managed by leading infrastructure provider, Softcat, in partnership with Avoira. 

Both also worked closely with NTU’s in-house Audio Visual & Media Services (AVMS) team to develop a user-friendly interface with,  and ensure a smooth transition to, the new technologies.

Business Needs

To significantly improve teaching facilities and methods a radical overhaul of AV architecture was required. This would benefit over 29,000 students across campuses and make life easier for staff responsible for managing it.

Avoira and Softcat worked with the NTU team to determine needs and solutions, a collaborative approach which NTU’s Audio Visual and Media Studies Team Leader,  Stuart Loughran, appreciated.

He had previous experience of Softcat through the North Eastern University Procurement Consortium’s Audio Visual framework. The NEUPC were approached again by Softcat together with Avoira for the university’s projects.

“It was great working with Softcat and Avoira. Customer service was excellent and the professional support they provided was first class. What they don’t know they will find out. Then they’ll report back with a suitable solution based on the most effective technology, which is exactly what we needed.”

The Solution

A 4m x 2.4m outdoor video wall at the Equestrian Centre’s is complemented by Extron AV control, Kramer AV switching, Black Magic recording and playback equipment & Vaddio HD cameras.

The City campus’s flagship Lecture Theatre 2 features dual Epson LED projection and surround sound audio. This incorporates Extron AV switching, control and amplifiers and Panopto lecture capture technology.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Workzones have been installed across four locations and AV and signage in common areas enhanced. Lecture rooms feature Extron audio DSP, Beyer Dynamic and Shure microphones, alongside Lumens cameras.

Clifton’s Erasmus Darwin building’s two laboratories benefit from digital input and output upgrades, with Extron central switching and transmission over CAT6. A new 

12 connection HDMI matrix has fostered collaborative working.

The Taylor and Arkwright buildings’ meeting spaces, presentation and seminar rooms have NEC screens and Panasonic projection.

The Benefits

“Multiple AV solutions installed across the university have significantly improved the learning and living experience for our students and staff,” says Stuart Loughran.

“Information can be shared much more effectively and we now have the sort of digital environment demanded by today’s learners and educators.”