Phoenix IT Institute manages its AV systems with Extron

The AV systems of the new institute Phoenix TI Maricopa (EU) are based on switching, distribution and control of Extron, so that all classrooms are networked to the GlobalViewer Enterprise server for remote control and maintenance.

Founded in 1920 with a solo class 18 students, the educational center Phoenix College now has 17.000 students who participate in more than 150 technical degrees and certificate programs. The school focuses on the development of the workforce and promotes the relationship with the industry of the metropolitan area of this state and surrounding Maricopa County.

Now he has inaugurated the Institute of the (IN) Maricopa, dedicated to training students in a completely renovated building to become accredited IT professionals to respond to the growing demand for this type of workers by companies in the area.

ITI offers training in cloud services, cybersecurity, computer support, linux administration, mobile app development, computer networks, programming, systems analysis, virtualization, Web development and Windows server administration. Its graduates pass rigorous exams to obtain the CompTIA A+ certification, reference credential in computer skills.

He A+ class, two training rooms, Collaboration rooms and a room dedicated to technological innovation occupy the ground floor. On the second floor is the classroom dedicated to computer networks., mac's lab, the Windows and the cybersecurity classroom.

The institute has been equipped with computer technology in all its classrooms, audiovisual and networks. Los sistemas AV They are not only used to teach classes, but as a real test bed in which students can gain practical experience in the laboratory.

In the audiovisual systems deployed throughout the institute building, more than 150 manufacturer equipment Extron. Phoenix College AV Project Manager, Chuck Fortino, and the coordinator of these systems for the Maricopa institute, Henry Denman, supervised its design and installation with the help of the IT department staff and the technology integrator Aspen Technologies.

“The IT institute's AV systems are based on switching, Extron distribution and control - explains Denman -. All rooms are networked to our server GlobalViewer Enterprise, allowing us to monitor and control all AV equipment remotely for maintenance and to help teachers operate it, which is very important, since we are far from our main campus”.

Integrated AV solutions

To simplify design and maintenance, similar AV components and connections have been used in each space.. Some classrooms have projectors, while others have multiple flat screen display devices. All have a lectern for the instructor who delivers the AV program content from a computer, document camera or external sources, including wireless content sharing from devices byod via WiFi.

A presentation switch located on the lectern, model IN1804 o IN1806 by Extron, make the selection between the sources. Content is sent to the music stand's touch screen via HDMI, and to room display devices via shielded twisted pair cable using the DTP transmitters and receivers by Extron.

Each lectern has a touch screen TLP Pro 725M 7”, that works with a control processor IPCP Pro to control feeding, font selection, the volume and projection screen in classrooms that have a projector.

To deliver clear audio, The classrooms have been equipped with FF 220T speakers, wide dispersion and ceiling mount, providing consistent sound levels across the listening area. These work with XPA amplifiers 1002.

Most classrooms contain two speakers for stereo sound, while those dedicated to computer networks and A+ certification are equipped with three speakers per stereo channel.

To support energy savings in the Phoenix desert area, los occupancy sensors OCS 100C, connected to control processors, They automatically turn off all technology when classrooms are empty.

Additionally, AV-IT support uses Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise system to control AV systems remotely, to some 4,8 Km. from main campus. “This allows us to monitor the systems from a central location, so we can perform maintenance, in addition to control, remotely and offer fast support”, Denman points out..

Cybersecurity classroom

With the proliferation of incidents with hackers and cyber ransomware (ransomware) that affect companies around the world, Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. The specific cybersecurity classroom has been designed for the learning of this type of professionals, and it is the most complex of the building.

Includes your own Isolated LAN in which students gain experience untangling the computer chaos created by their instructors. It has four student positions, each with five computers. display devices 50” flat screen of each position receive the content through the XTP receivers connected to an XTP II matrix switcher 1600 of Crosspoint.

The five computers provide content to the matrix through the IN1806 presentation switcher in each station, each equipped with a touch screen TLP Pro 525T 5” in which students can select the computer that supplies the AV content.

In this way, students collaborate within their own position and with their display device., while the instructor can take control using the touch screen on their lectern to send content from a specific position to the rest, or send content from any of the lectern sources to all positions.