INTRODUCTION
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) excels in teaching, research, and service to the community while fueling the Wisconsin economy. With 193 academic programs, 300 student organizations, and 15 NCAA Division 1 sports teams, UWM offers its 25,000 students an all-encompassing campus experience.
Crestron technology isn’t new to the UWM campus; the university has been utilizing Crestron AV platforms for over 10 years. They standardized on Crestron because they needed solutions that were simple, straightforward, and easily deployed.
THE CHALLENGE
Responsible for managing all technology on the main campus, UWM Classroom Support Team, led by Kevin Jahnke, Manager Classroom Services, and Eric Dietenberger, Senior Information Processing Consultant were tasked with creating a new standardized, simplified AV solution for classrooms on the main campus and satellite community campuses throughout southeastern Wisconsin, as well as for conference rooms and select large spaces.
THE TECHNOLOGY
The Classroom Support Team deployed DM® technology in educational spaces on campus, including the Lubar School of Business. General Assignment Classrooms on campus feature Crestron as the standard and recent installations include a Digital Media Presentation System (DMPS) for complete 4K AV presentation control and signal routing as well as Crestron AirMedia technology for wireless presentation from laptops and tablets. Faculty and staff can enter any room and easily control AV and other functions via a Crestron TSW touch screen or media presentation button panel. There’s no wasted time trying to get the technology in the rooms to work.
Intrigued by the possibilities offered by Crestron DM NVX™ network AV technology, the team deployed it inside the newly renovated David O. Nicholas Applied Finance Lab. DM NVX encoders/decoders securely distribute content over the network between 12 dual-monitor PCs, three projectors, and two LCD monitors, with no latency. "The ease of installation and ability to leverage the school's existing 1 Gb network infrastructure made the choice of DM NVX a no-brainer," says Dietenberger. It would also improve the quality and expediency of support provided to faculty.
“Crestron does a great job to ensure that their technology is scalable and secure for their customers. With DM NVX, there’s no concern about not having enough inputs and outputs when we need to install additional workstations or displays in a space,” says Jahnke. “With DM NVX, problems that would have previously required physically changing systems can now be easily done on the network,” adds Dietenberger.
RESULTS
Universities constantly look ahead to find ways to provide the best learning experience possible and attract top students. Therefore, the learning technology needs to be up to the high standards required of a competitive educational environment. By standardizing on Crestron solutions, UWM is providing its students and faculty with the most consistent and cutting-edge teaching and learning experience possible. DM NVX, in particular, offers UWM the flexibility and scalability to adapt active learning spaces to meet constantly changing needs. Dietenberger and team are so impressed with DM NVX, they’re already looking to deploy it in more spaces in the future.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
