The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)
About PolyU
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is 6th on the QS Top 50 under 50 2021 list. It is an ambitious and diverse institution recognized worldwide for its academic reputation, student-to-faculty ratio, research citations, employer reputation and international student ratio.
Challenge
The PolyU department has expressed a desire to rapidly implement a digital signage system to serve several key purposes - displaying calendars, providing an essay viewing mode, and assisting with wayfinding around their facilities. After the initial project kickoff, we will need to schedule a series of meetings and maintain ongoing communication with the PolyU team to ensure a smooth implementation process.
One of the primary requirements is the need to tailor-make the calendar system to accommodate the specific scheduling and event needs of the various academic subjects and departments within PolyU. This level of customization will be crucial to ensuring the digital signage provides maximum utility and relevance to the end users.
Additionally, the PolyU department has expressed a desire to use the digital signage as a platform for showcasing exemplary student essays. The aim is to leverage this capability as a means of encouraging and inspiring other students. To facilitate easy access to the full essay content, they have requested the inclusion of QR codes that viewers can scan with their mobile devices.
Overall, this project will require a concerted effort to align the digital signage capabilities with PolyU's diverse range of requirements, from calendar management to essay promotion, all within a tight timeline. Close collaboration between our team and the PolyU stakeholders will be paramount to ensuring a successful deployment that meets their needs.
Solution
To meet PolyU's needs for a digital signage system that can display calendars, provide an essay viewing mode, and assist with wayfinding, we recommend the following solution:
Digital Signage Hardware:
Deploy a network of LED displays strategically placed throughout the PolyU facilities.
Equip each display with a compact, powerful media player device to drive the content.
Ensure the hardware is designed for 24/7 commercial-grade operation.
Content Management System:
Implement a cloud-based digital signage content management system (CMS) to centrally control and distribute content.
The CMS should provide an intuitive web-based interface for scheduling, designing presentation and publishing content.
Integrate the CMS with PolyU's existing calendaring systems to automatically sync and display upcoming events.
Calendar Integration:
Work closely with PolyU's IT team to develop custom calendar templates and layouts within the CMS.
Ensure the calendar functionality can be tailored to accommodate the unique scheduling needs of different departments and subject areas.
Provide training to PolyU staff on managing and updating the calendar content through the CMS.
Essay Viewing Mode:
Integrate QR code generation capabilities so viewers can easily access the full essay content on their mobile devices.
Establish a workflow for PolyU faculty to submit and curate the essays to be featured on the digital signage.
Wayfinding Integration:
Work with PolyU's facilities team to map out the campus and identify key locations for wayfinding information.
Create interactive wayfinding templates that can display dynamic campus maps, directional signage, and points of interest.
Result
By leveraging the flexibility of the zoned layout, PolyU can strategically utilize the digital signage to showcase its achievements, accolades, and brand identity, thereby elevating its profile and reputation both on campus and beyond.
Furthermore, the digital signage can be strategically placed throughout the campus to provide students, faculty, and staff with easy access to a wealth of information, from academic schedules and campus resources to event listings and student accomplishments. This will help create a more informed and engaged learning community.
Through the strategic implementation of this zoned digital signage solution, PolyU can unlock the full potential of this technology to enhance its overall institutional image, enrich the learning experience, and foster effective communication and community engagement across its campuses.