INTRODUCTION
Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) is a private, non-profit university offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, business, and nursing. Dedicated to unriddling the impossible and reinventing the way things are done, MSOE students and faculty have worked together to create an impact far beyond the city of Milwaukee and the shores of Lake Michigan.
THE CHALLENGE
MSOE recently built a new academic building, the Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall. It consists of four floors of laboratories, classrooms, meeting rooms, student collaboration rooms, and a large auditorium. Positioned at the forefront of artificial intelligence, deep learning, cyber security, robotics, cloud computing, and other next-generation technologies, it was critical for the university to deploy an advanced AV distribution solution that would provide students with a next-level academic experience, plus provide the scalability, functionality, and consistency to meet its demanding requirements.
THE SOLUTION
Working with AV consultant Automation Arts, the MSOE Information Technology Department decided to standardize on Crestron’s awardwinning DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology throughout Diercks Hall.
THE TECHNOLOGY
Simplicity and consistency are what MSOE students and faculty value most. Therefore, it was critical to the IT department to deliver an AV and room control solution that would minimize the time and effort it takes to get a classroom up and running and, thereby, maximize learning time. In just two weeks’ time, Automation Arts completed the installation, configuration, and testing of the DM NVX, room scheduling, and room control technology throughout Diercks Hall. DM NVX delivers flawless 4K video in all classrooms and the auditorium over the school’s existing 1Gb network. The DM NVX Director™ virtual switching appliance provides the IT staff with an intuitive web-based interface and simple management system for system configuration and signal routing. Using TSW touch screens on the lecterns, professors enjoy complete one-touch control of everything in the classrooms, from audio and video, to lighting and temperature. “This quick start approach to the classroom and the intuitive user interface on the Crestron touch screens has been very well received by the MSOE faculty and staff,” says Ron Moore, Vice President, Automation Arts Crestron room scheduling touch screens mounted just outside of meeting and collaboration rooms in Diercks Hall have made a huge impact on productivity at the university. In addition to reserving spaces online, staff and students are able to walk up to a room, view the day’s schedule, and reserve it on the spot via the touch screen. Crestron room scheduling has helped MSOE optimize use of these spaces and locate available rooms easier than ever before.
RESULTS
With the help of Crestron AV-over-IP, room control, and room scheduling solutions, MSOE is able to deliver on its commitment to provide students with a next-level technology and learning experience.
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.
