How the University of Notre Dame Transformed Campus Comms

The University of Notre Dame creates a strong foundation for campus communications growth with a scalable, user-friendly digital signage solution.

Facing the need for rapid platform migration and the limitations of an outdated digital signage system, the University of Notre Dame sought a modern solution that could be deployed within three months. The new system had to not only support a new flagship building, with over 25 digital signs in various orientations but also empower global and US-based locations—all without requiring additional hardware investments. To meet these demands, Notre Dame partnered with Korbyt, a leading provider of digital signage solutions, to transform campus communications through centralized management, customizable user permissions, and advanced hardware integration.

Challenges

Notre Dame’s previous digital signage system was difficult to use, hindering effective communication across campus. Key challenges included:

Time-sensitive deployment: With a new flagship building opening in three months and over 25 digital signs in various orientations, the University needed a swift and efficient digital signage rollout.
Rapid platform migration: The transition from the old platform to the new solution had to be executed quickly, independent of the building’s launch.
Scalability and centralization: A centralized, scalable platform was essential to support current needs while laying a foundation for future expansion across campus.
Global and multi-location support: The University needed a partner capable of supporting global locations and other U.S. campuses without requiring additional hardware investments.
User-friendliness: The solution had to be intuitive enough for technical and non-technical users, ensuring broad adoption across various departments.

The Korbyt Anywhere Solution

To modernize its digital signage and enhance campus communications, Notre Dame turned to Korbyt Anywhere. The solution delivered several key benefits:

Centralized content management system (CMS): Korbyt’s CMS brought all digital signage content under one unified platform. Secure folder structures and customizable user permissions empowered individual departments to manage their own content while ensuring centralized oversight for brand consistency.
Rapid deployment and white glove onboarding: Meeting an aggressive three-month deadline was critical. Korbyt’s dedicated team facilitated a swift and seamless transition from the legacy system, providing step-by-step guidance and robust technical support throughout the process.
Advanced hardware integration: By upgrading from standalone media players to state-of-the-art digital signage players, Notre Dame eliminated common points of failure, reduced downtime, and lowered maintenance costs. This hardware upgrade enhanced system stability and simplified digital signage management.
Time-saving tools and customizable workflows: An intuitive drag-and-drop interface and automatic content uploads simplified content creation—even for users with limited technical expertise. Advanced scheduling tools helped departments manage time-sensitive event content efficiently and custom folders were set up to feed content directly into playlists, making delivery seamless and secure.
Outstanding customer support: Korbyt’s support team has been nothing short of exceptional. Their prompt, reliable, and personalized assistance ensured that every technical challenge was swiftly addressed—playing an indispensable role in the project’s overall success. This outstanding customer support has facilitated a smooth transition from the legacy system and remains essential to ongoing operations, transforming Korbyt from a mere vendor into a trusted, long-term collaborator dedicated to Notre Dame’s continued success.

Results

The collaboration with Korbyt Anywhere led to significant improvements in campus communications:

Result 1: Enhanced Reach and Engagement

Content distribution expanded from 80 to 222 screens, increasing exposure by 177.5% and enabling more dynamic messaging across campus. Student and faculty engagement in events has shown a positive trend. For instance, within a month of implementation, an event organized by the Provost’s Office expanded from a partial to a full-day event in response to increased faculty interest.

Result 2: Improved Operational Efficiency

The implementation has streamlined workflows, making processes more intuitive and user-friendly. The system has reduced complexity and accelerated user adoption, driving higher engagement and productivity. Additionally, reduced maintenance costs and minimized downtime have allowed for a more sustainable and scalable infrastructure, supporting future growth and adaptability

Result 3: Expanded Global Reach

The new platform now supports digital signage players not only on campus but also in key global locations—including Chicago, Washington D.C., London, and Ireland—further enhancing the University’s communication strategy.

Result 4: Greater Collaboration and Control

Departments now manage their own content within a unified, scalable system that supports current operations and future growth. Additionally, Notre Dame has taken the proactive step of developing a Community of Practice for Digital Signage, enabling content creators to help each other and share new ideas, fostering even greater collaboration.

Conclusion

The University of Notre Dame’s collaboration with Korbyt has established a robust, scalable digital signage solution that not only meets immediate needs but also paves the way for future growth—both on campus and at global locations. This forward-thinking approach ensures that Notre Dame remains at the forefront of digital engagement and institutional messaging.