Universities are under increasing pressure to deliver consistent, technology-enabled learning experiences across multiple campuses, often while managing growing AV estates with limited IT resources. And the technology isn’t just a nice-to-have. Recent data indicates that 25% of faculty in North America and Europe have considered leaving an institution over poor technology; for students, that number rises to 33%.
For Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina in Colombia, a historic institution founded in 1893, addressing these challenges became a priority. It responded by launching RAUDA, an ambitious initiative designed to centralise and standardise audiovisual infrastructure across its campus network. Thanks to the groundbreaking approach, the institution is becoming a pace-setter for higher education institutions seeking to modernize and future-proof the student experience.
Setting the scope of the project
With locations in Bogotá, Pereira and Valledupar, the university had developed a diverse AV landscape over time, designed to support both in-person and hybrid learning for undergraduate and graduate students across a wide array of disciplines.
The institution relied on a mix of technologies, including classroom touchscreens and commercial displays in halls and reception areas, with systems managed independently. This fragmented approach made it difficult to maintain consistency across learning environments and shared spaces, along with limited visibility into system performance and slowed response times when issues arose.
RAUDA in action
To address this, the university launched RAUDA, an AV network initiative designed to centralise and standardise AV infrastructure across its campuses while creating a more efficient foundation for future growth. The goal was not only to improve day-to-day operations, but also to enable more consistent experiences for both faculty and students.
Working with system integrator Merge, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina implemented the first phase of the RAUDA project by deploying a centralised AV over IP (AVoIP) architecture across its sites. Classrooms, auditoriums, meeting spaces and digital signage endpoints were connected into a unified network, allowing content to be distributed and managed more flexibly across locations.
A key focus of the project was the ability to monitor and control systems in real time from a single platform. By introducing centralised management tools alongside its AVoIP infrastructure, the university gained improved visibility into performance across its AV estate, enabling faster diagnostics and reducing the need for on-site interventions.
An immediate difference
The impact has been felt both operationally and from a user experience perspective. Centralised control has helped streamline support workflows and reduce incident response times, while delivering more consistent and reliable AV performance across campuses. According to the university, this has translated into improved availability of learning spaces and a smoother experience for both staff and students.
The new infrastructure has also unlocked additional capabilities, particularly in the area of digital signage. The university can now manage and update content in real time across high-traffic areas, supporting more agile and targeted communication with students and visitors.
Mr. César Andrés Rodríguez Ángel, National Director of Technological Innovation at Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina, commented: “Kramer gave us the ability to centralise and simplify AV management across campuses while delivering a more reliable and consistent experience for users.”
Technical details and installation perspective
From the integration perspective, the project also highlights the growing importance of scalable, centrally managed AV systems in the education sector.
As universities continue to expand their digital capabilities, solutions that combine AVoIP distribution with cloud-based monitoring and control are becoming increasingly critical to maintaining performance and efficiency across complex environments, with an emphasis on reliability and security.
The completed project leveraged a range of solutions, including:
- Kramer KDS-EN7 encoders and KDS-DEC7 decoders for content distribution.
- VIA GO 3 devices for wireless presentation and collaboration.
- KC Virtual Brain 5 and Panta Rhei for system management, monitoring, and control.
- VSM on Cloud for centralized, cloud-based management.
- Dedicated network infrastructure built around Netgear M4250 switches.
- TP-583TXR units for transmission support.
Conclusion
With the first phase of RAUDA now complete, Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina has established a foundation for further expansion and demonstrates how well-planned, centralised AV strategies can support long-term digital transformation in higher education.
Higher education continues its global adoption of advanced audiovisual technologies for teaching, learning, collaboration, and even research, and Kramer AV is proud to be at the forefront of the innovations powering the next generation of learners worldwide.
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