Sigma Chi Fraternity - Purdue University
Established in 1875, Sigma Chi is the one of the oldest Fraternities at Purdue University. With the expertise of The Premiere Group, the frat house solved their unique needs for flexibility and dependable video communications with two systems that fully support ad-hoc video and media collaboration meetings.
It was essential for the group to be able to host meetings where they could really connect with the audience. The fraternity needed to hold regular fireside chats with Alumni and provide mentoring to remote members. To achieve maximum impact it was clear that Sigma Chi required face-to-face communication, far beyond a simple teleconferencing system. To make these meetings truly effective, the audio needed to be crystal-clear. Moving from room to room, meant smart audio, with the ability to configure itself to ever-changing conditions without losing quality.
The solution consisted of two portable AV set-ups: a larger system for use in the Grand Hall, and a smaller, PC-based system for easier ad-hoc video conferencing.
The larger video collaboration system includes a 65” screen and ClearOne’s COLLABORATE Pro 900, which features the CONVERGE Pro DSP mixer, and the industry’s first professional Beamforming Microphone Array, in a sleek, black finish. The microphone is mounted on the cart, horizontally, just below the screen, and provides they clearest audio pickup possible with it’s 24 microphone elements, intelligently steering pickup patterns in real time. Set up in the presentation room, this system provided the most professional and natural interactions for remote, one-on-one meetings with potential employers, or with anyone requiring more information from the fraternity.
The second PC-based system utilizes ClearOne COLLABORATE Space cloud-based collaboration. This system is the ultimate in portability, usually seen in corporate “huddle room” settings for ad-hoc video conferencing meetings. The Spontania system includes a smaller 50” screen, camera, and microphone for those quick gatherings and more informal conferences.
‘There are challenges with all portable systems, due to the fact the environment in which they are used is variable” states Todd Walker from the Premier Group. “What was great for us was the consistent level of support from Clear One, especially when dealing with stakeholders. From an engineering perspective, Jim Mergens was always there to brainstorm and implement new solutions, for non-traditional applications, and that’s what really made all of the difference.”
Sigma Chi has already reported a positive return on investment following the implementation of the video collaboration systems, with greater participation from remote members at board meetings, increased donation support from benefactors following fireside chants and many of the Alumni utilizing the Spontania system for job interviews.
Collaborate 900 offers a complete media collaboration solution. It’s a great solution for multiple applications – videoconferencing, professional audio conferencing, wireless presentation and collaboration, capture and recording station, streaming and distribution, all from a single appliance.
