CASE STUDY STREAMING VIDEO

“SKC’s VBrick solution is the only system

out there that does everything we wanted.”

– Craig WilliamsInformational Services Consultant

Saint Louis University (SLU) is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University has provided one-of-a-kind education, leadership and service for 191 years.

As a service to the community, SLU’s Department of Counseling and Family Therapy offers discounted therapy sessions to non-insured families in the area, giving their students a chance to practice what they’ve learned in a real-life situation. Faculty in the program had an idea to expand their family therapy teaching environment by recording these sessions to review with students and use during classroom lectures. Dr. Craig Smith, Professor and Chairman of the Department, went to Craig Williams of SLU’s Division of Information Technology Services for his advice on the situation. During the summer break, William met with an SKC account executive on an unrelated project. During a side discussion about VBrick’s streaming solutions, Williams realized SKC offered exactly what he was looking for, at a much higher quality than the security camera systems SLU had been looking into.

SITUATION

Saint Louis University’sDepartment of Counseling and Family Therapy

enrich the classroom and the community

SOLUTION

Recording a therapy session is not a common practice, especially at the collegiate level. The few programs in existence used analog technology to record and store the videos. Given creative freedom to dream up a solution to SLU’s wants and needs, SKC took the basic ideas from other institutions’ facilities and developed a new observation lab utilizing innovative technology. Serving

as the centerpiece to SKC’s solution, the web-based VBrick EtherneTV solution allows SLU to record and store their video and audio assets digitally, allowing the sessions to be accessed on demand. The system allows faculty members to record up to 40 simultaneous streams. The EtherneTV system is composed of VBrick’s Windows Media Encoders, Media Control Servers and Network Video Recorders.

uses Video on Demand to

“SKC’s VBrick solution is the only system out there that does everything we wanted,”

Williams said. “The students and faculty are very pleased with the improvement in

their experience because of this technology.”

The VBrick EtherneTV offers SLU a very user-friendly way to access video, audio and data for a variety of applications and the ability to archive the files for easy retrieval later. In a profession like counseling and family therapy, students can learn more effectively by reviewing past sessions on screen in a one-on-one setting, where the professor can point out important details such as body language and tone of voice. Doctorate students can access a database in the system to review as they work on dissertations and professors

can use the information as they teach in lectures and prepare lessons. In order to respect patients’ privacy and to remain HIPAA compliant, the web-based retrieval system has password protected, restricted user access so that only professors and students can view the files.

Saint Louis University hopes to expand SKC’s VBrick system to other applications on campus in the future, further solidifying the University as a national leader in research institutions.

In September of 2008, Steven Levitt, co-author of the book, Freakonomics, spoke on campus at the John Cook School of Business as a part of their “Show-Me Institute Series on Economic Policy.” Levitt was going to speak in the auditorium, but as the date drew closer, SLU officials realized that the auditorium could not fit the number of anticipated attendees.

Williams called in SKC to provide and operate videoconferencing units for the event, placing them in classrooms throughout the building, so that students could watch the presentation and ask questions face-to-face with the author.

RESULTS

Conferencing Services

800–882–7779 www.skccom.com

SKC provides technology solutions that enable our clients to better collaborate, communicate and connect with their key stakeholders.

• VBrick Windows Media Encoders• VBrick Media Control Server• VBrick Network Video Recorder• Sharp 52” monitor• Polycom HDX 7002XL• Polycom HDX Ceiling Microphones• Shure Microphone System• Cannon PTZ Cameras

SOLUTION (cont.)

A Polycom HDX 7002XL videoconferencing unit gives professors, students and colleagues the chance to have face-to-face discussions. Students and professors can review sessions on a Sharp 52˝ LCD HD Monitor installed by SKC. Additionally, each of the five observation rooms is equipped with Shure microphones and two Cannon PTZ cameras, one aimed at the client, the other recording the student therapist throughout the session.

SKC worked with its manufacturers and with SLU to complete the installation, which would usually take months to finish, in just a few weeks so that the equipment was ready on the first day of the 2008 fall semester.