Colleges and universities are playing catch up as it relates to embracing smart technologies, and quick. A couple of decades ago, technological advances such as Smart Homes—residences that are outfitted with Internet-enabled appliances and devices that can be controlled remotely—were still very new. Many homes now have smart devices like automation systems that can control lighting, heating and appliances that can save energy, increase security and simplify life. Smart devices have become part of our everyday life.
Today, an expanding variety of devices can be embedded with sensors, software and other technologies so they can connect with other devices and exchange data via wireless technology. The network of physical devices connected to the Internet that transmit data, called Internet of Things (IoT), includes everything from the relatively ubiquitous consumer-oriented Amazon voice assistant Alexa to sophisticated technologies that can help city infrastructure function more optimally. Statista forecasts that there will be about 38.6 billion IoT connected devices used around the world by 2025.
College and university campuses are now accelerating their efforts to play catch up. Digitally-native students and tech-savvy staff expect university campuses to be digitally connected, and most institutions have adopted at least some IoT technologies. Smart campuses use sophisticated network infrastructure and devices, combining wired and wired infrastructure and hardware to provide a host of benefits that can boost operating efficiencies, increase student engagement and improve employee experience, for instance. When IoT devices combine with big data and analytics, they can lead to real benefits like better learning outcomes, stronger student retention rates and improved decision-making through actionable insights. Some examples include:
- Smart parking that incorporates mapping technologies to direct visitors to open spaces;
- Occupancy monitoring that can provide real-time visibility on utilization of classrooms, cafeterias and other spaces;
- Smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) to keep indoor spaces at the appropriate temperature, saving energy dollars;
- Digital signage that can help inform and direct individuals around the campus;
- Smart locks for facility access control, that can integrate with other technologies like smart ID cards and video surveillance to increase security.
The benefits of a smart campus are far-reaching and can help boost experience, efficiencies and education. In its Smart Campus report, Deloitte outlines the benefits of a connected campus. A smart campus can help shape how students study and what they learn and how they interact with their institution. It can enable schools to adopt new approaches that digitally native stakeholders expect. Smart campuses can also:
- Foster a digitally connected experience by increasing communication between students, faculty, staff and alumni, offering collaborative educational tools and helping administrative staff analyze data to proactively respond.
- Hold costs down by streamlining processes and increasing operational efficiencies through insight, automation and replacing antiquated procedures with innovative practices. Smart technologies also enable colleges to maintain facilities and power grids more efficiently.
- Boost safety by using technologies like facial recognition, reporting and alert systems, location intelligence and data mining patterns to ensure student, staff and faculty safety.
- Improve student experience by helping students as they navigate the campus with more user-friendly interactions, improving connectivity with responsive, reliable and intuitive mobile applications and enabling schools to design and maintain a more efficient transportation and mobility strategy.