About University of Denver
Founded in 1864, The University of Denver is a private university sprawling across 125 acres just south of downtown Denver, CO. The school offers over 100 undergraduate programs and more than 120 graduate and professional programs. With approximately 11,600 students, DU ranked among the top 100 universities by U.S. News and World Report. Kiplinger’s Financials ranked the school 64th in the nation in 2015 for best value in private education. In addition to its academics and affordability, the university is also committed to environmental conservation and sustainability efforts. DU is the largest wind-energy buyer among Colorado colleges and universities, with renewable energy credits equal to 31 percent of its energy usage. The university has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Challenge
University of Denver’s Digital Media Services department wanted to provide its instructors with an intuitive classroom presentation system that had both wired and wireless connectivity. The university wanted to upgrade 46 classrooms at the same time. The technology had to be easy to use and easy to support, yet robust enough for heavy classroom usage.
Franklin Jackson, Digital Media Services Manager for the University of Denver, said that DU not only needed a wireless collaboration system, but also needed to define best practices and efficient workflow. According to custom audio/video integrator Lenny Marko-Franks at CCS Presentation Systems, DU had been searching for a solution for some time when they discovered VIA Collage at the AV Expo. He added that one of the biggest challenges was how to gradually introduce the system.
Solution
CCS recommended the VIA Collage and VIA Connect PRO wireless presentation and collaboration products because of their functionality and ease of use. VIA wireless collaboration solutions allow meeting participants with any laptop or mobile device to share presentations and documents on the main display and comment on them or edit them in real time. With VIA, participants can share any-size file, chat during meetings, and turn the main display into a whiteboard. VIA Collage is unique among its competitors in that it can stream smooth, 60Hz full frame-rate video.
“VIA Collage offers many expansive functions that other collaboration devices do not,” Jackson said. “We chose it because of its robust functionality and ease of use.” VIA Collage can show six user screens on a main display and 12 on two displays. Users can also view the main display on their device. VIA Connect PRO can show up to four screens on the main display.
Results
VIA addressed the university’s needs and has become the standard for audio/video installations on campus. Recently, additional VIA Collages were installed in two new classroom buildings. “Results have been overwhelmingly positive," said Jackson. "It’s new technology on our campus and folks were slow to adopt initially; now that word has spread, VIA Collage and VIA Connect PRO are in high demand campus-wide,” he said.
Marko-Franks noted that “Kramer sales and tech support teams have been stellar." "This project would not have gone as smoothly as it has without their support," added Marko-Franks. "Our Kramer regional sales manager was especially instrumental during the introduction and evaluation of the products and has been a pillar of support throughout the entire process.”
Jackson added that “the team from Kramer has been a pleasure to work with. They are quick to respond with timely and meaningful solutions," he said. "I’m excited about the future partnership with Kramer and building a solid customer/manufacturer relationship.”
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.
