Universidad ICESI is one of the best higher education institutions in Colombia and has been rated as one of the best in Latin America and the world in different rankings. It is particularly distinguished for its work in the industry, international perspective, research and teaching.
Universidad ICESI's professional education offerings include 29 undergraduate programs, 2 doctorates, 35 master's degree programs, 24 medical/surgical specialties and 17 specializations.
In addition, Universidad ICESI has 27 academic departments with a faculty of top academic quality, including 267 professors, with 153 of them having earned or currently pursuing a PhD degree.
THE CHALLENGE
Replace aging projectors that were obsolete and required frequent lamp replacement
Implement new technologies to facilitate teacher performance
Provide students with enhanced technological tools
Belonging to a select group of universities that compete to rank first imposes the responsibility to constantly strengthen its infrastructure and equipment. Because the older projectors that the university was using needed frequent lamp replacements, the technological services division set out to find a better alternative. Under this scenario, they decided to go out and look for the best options offered by the market and approach new solutions that would allow them to optimize their resources, in addition to improving the service for their students.
"We reviewed projectors that would fit in our classroom spaces for several months. Obviously, we assessed price, quality, technology and support, among other variables, and chose ViewSonic, a company with which we had already worked successfully on other projects," said Jorge Eliecer Pineda, Events and New Audiovisual Resources Manager at Universidad ICESI.
THE SOLUTION
Implementation of LS600W and LS610WH projectors, which are specifically designed for educational environments and allow upgrading to a new projection format.
With this project it was easy to supervise, program and manage the projector remotely, facilitating the management of the Technology Department and allowing teachers to handle the devices with ease.
Universidad ICESI initially purchased 50 LS600W projectors. This technology would allow upgrading to a new projection format that is especially designed for educational environments. The response was so good that 100 LS600W and LS610WH projectors were purchased in a second implementation phase.
As Jorge Eliecer Pineda pointed out, one of the great advantages is that the IT manager can supervise, set up and manage the projector remotely, which not only facilitates his job, but also that of the teachers, who find the devices easy to operate.
The LS600W and LS610WH are high brightness WXGA lamp-free projectors designed for educational environments. The sustainable choice to embrace industry-leading LED technology featuring 4,000 ANSI lumens eliminates the need to swap out environmentally toxic mercury lamps, reducing the cost and effort of frequent lamp replacement and lowering the total cost of ownership.
The lamp-free light source offers greater sustainability for a greener environment, while providing a wider color gamut for bright, vivid images in meeting rooms, classrooms or any other environment. These projectors deliver crisp, high-quality, HD resolution images for smooth and engaging presentations at all times.
THE RESULTS
Accommodation of a more user-friendly technology for teachers.
Enhanced student learning tools.
Extremely positive purchase and implementation experience, which made the University share the initiative with other universities to encourage them to engage in new projects.
According to Universidad ICESI Events and New Audiovisual Resources Manager, Universidad ICESI, the results could not be better. "Both our students and the faculty are enjoying the benefits of these new projectors. Users are satisfied and we have received positive feedback," he said.
The purchase and implementation experience was so good that the University decided to continue changing their equipment and shared this initiative with other universities, with which ViewSonic is already engaged in the process of negotiation and execution of new projects.
In the same way, Jorge Eliecer Pineda positively rated ViewSonic's full support, both in terms of installation and advice on how to use the projectors.
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.
