The University of Chester has built a digital signage network that spans more than 100 screens across its campuses in Chester, Warrington, and Birkenhead.
The digital signage network aims to help improve communication, wayfinding, and student engagement, working with integrator Roche AV and digital signage platform NowSignage.
The university uses screens throughout teaching spaces, communal areas, and catering outlets to deliver student communications, campus updates, and live event broadcasts.
Originally introduced to improve internal communications at the university, the network has evolved into a university-wide tool supporting both central messaging and localised content across multiple locations.
The university wanted to ensure students receive the same core information regardless of location, while also allowing individual campuses to share content relevant to their own audiences.
Students across the University’s campuses now receive a mix of university-wide announcements alongside local updates tailored to their campus.
The screens are used throughout the day to display student communications, such as Student Union events, open day information, student voice testimonials, surveys and campus announcements, as well as timetables, building maps, and wayfinding information.
The displays also support livestreaming of major university events, including graduation ceremonies, which allows students, staff, and visitors to engage with events even when venues reach capacity. The network has also expanded into teaching spaces, where departments can communicate directly with students during periods when attention levels are naturally high.
As the signage network has grown, individual departments have been able to take ownership of content management by using NowSignage access tags functionality; today, teams such as catering can view and manage the screens, playlists, and schedules that are relevant to their role.
Ben Dempsey Sawin, digital signage specialist, University of Chester, commented: “NowSignage has helped us create a more connected experience across our campuses. Even though NowSignage has grown over the last five years, the platform remains simple to manage and easy for teams across the university to use.”
Daily menu updates, promotions, and campus announcements can all be managed without relying on specialist technical support, while the communications team retains visibility across the wider estate.
Mark Sargison, assistant director (LIS) - IT infrastructure, University of Chester, commented: “We initially expected to have to provide ongoing training and support across departments, but our users have found the system intuitive and simple to use.
“We have been using NowSignage since 2021 and have been consistently impressed, recommending them to others exploring new signage solutions. The team have always been receptive to our feedback and ideas, and we look forward to seeing how the platform evolves.”