Smeal College of Business had a desire to construct a building that would foster a sense of community for their faculty, staff and students that created enduring connections among all groups at the school. To accomplish this goal, the building committee called upon the Dean of Yale School of Architecture, Robert A. M. Stern to design the 210,000 square foot building at the corner of Park Avenue and Shortlidge Road : making it the largest academic building at Penn State University . The new building incorporated 22 classrooms, a 150-seat Auditorium, 13 Academic Department and Research Center Suites, numerous labs and team study rooms and Blue Chip Bistro with 100-person seating; all co-located to bring together the faculty and staff, students and business visitors in absolute comfort.

SAGE Delivers:

SAGE was invited, along with a short list of Pre-Qualified Vendors, to respond to the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in December 2004 for the Audio/Visual Systems in the classrooms, conference rooms, auditorium, atrium and stairwells. Being a school of business, Smeal understood that quality does not generally come with the lowest price tag. They reviewed the capabilities and proposed scope of work from all vendors submitted and, in conjunction with the associated proposal price, SAGE was determined to be the best value and received formal notification of award for the A/V installation on February 14, 2005.

Cutting Edge Audio/Visual Technology:

SAGE worked closely with the staff at Smeal College to develop custom graphical user interfaces (GUI) for integration of the Audio/Visual Technologies in the A/V Head End Room, Dean's and Executive Ed Conference Rooms and the 150-seat Auditorium. Because each of these location types have a slightly different configuration, SAGE developed the Touch Screen controls to be as straight-forward as possible for the end users of the systems.

These GUI screens allow for single-touch controls for the faculty and staff to: Initiate Video Conferencing in the Auditorium and Conference Rooms Turn On/Off Projectors and Lower Projection Screens Switch Between Dual and Single Projector Mode and Activate Surround Sound Create and Broadcast Digital Informational Signage through LCD Display Screens Schedule LCD Display Screens to Automatically Turn On/Off Depending on Time of Day Activate DVD or VCR display through Projectors Perfect Sound Levels in Every Room Allowing for Appropriate Amplification Display PC, Mac, Laptop or Document Camera displays on Projection Screens Transmit Audio and/or Video Feeds from Various Locations within the Smeal Building to the CATV System for Distribution throughout the building

Solutions Provided by SAGE:

Equipment Highlights:

AMX Touch Screen Control Panels Aevalin Digital Bulletin Board Message Generator Panasonic LCD Display Panels Polycom Video Conferencing Systems Epson Digital Video Projectors EAW & JBL Surround Sound Speakers BEI & Stewart Motorized Projection Screens Extron Video Switchers Blonder Tongue Video Modulators Shure Wireless Microphones Listen Wireless Hearing Assist Systems Z-Band GigaBob CATV Distribution

Overcoming Challenges:

Due to unforeseen construction set backs, the commencement of the Audio/Visual System installation project was also delayed. SAGE began assembling the A/V racks for installation at our Mount Joy Office long before being able to begin on-site to get a jumpstart on the process. SAGE Project Managers, technicians and engineers, in order to substantially complete the project for the September 30, 2005 Dedication Ceremonies, worked around the clock to cable, install, program and test the systems in over 47 individual locations throughout the building. The extraordinary efforts of the SAGE design, engineering and installation teams, working with the site coordinator, Gilbane Building Company, were instrumental to the successful completion of the project. Gilbane, for their efforts, were selected as Special Recognition Award Winner of the Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnership Awards for 2006.