When the Aviation Training Network studio relocated across the Center from the Flight Standards Building to ANF-2 Building in May 2011, equipment was upgraded allowing the FAA Academy an opportunity to implement digital signage.  Digital signage is an electronic media display with an ability to show television programming, menus, information, advertising, and other messaging.  This signage permits targeted messages to be delivered to a specified audience at a particular location at a designated time.  With numerous federal buildings spread over 1,000 acres, it was necessary to establish a method to keep employees, students, and visitors informed about FAA Academy and Center-wide activities.  The digital signage system is displayed using an encoder which distributes data via the LAN to a MacMini computer which then displays the data received across the LAN onto a monitor.

In March 2012, the Academy began to pursuit the use of digital signage. The following year, digital signage became operational in 22 Academy buildings, as well as two additional sites located in the Multi-Purpose Building.  Efficiencies gained through the use of digital signage contributed to a rapid expansion of the project.  Additional sites were soon added to the remaining Academy buildings, and then interactive digital signage was introduced.  Presently, there are two types of displays being utilized by the FAA Academy, static and touch screen displays.  To date, there are 49 digital signage sites located in Academy buildings.  Communicating via this electronic media is a means to accelerate workforce engagement by displaying relevant data, student course/class information, Center/FAA Academy current events, videos, weather broadcasts, and current news headlines. 

The project continues to expand as it was determined that digital signage was a real business need across Center operations and the FAA Academy was instrumental in providing this solution. Digital signage is now being offered to organizations Center wide. Formation of a digital signage solutions team for the Center resulted in the activation of nine additional monitors that were already in place at the Center.  Academy personnel are coordinating with organizations in the vicinity of these monitors, seeking representatives who will manage the content displayed on these monitors.  In the upcoming weeks these representatives will be trained on how to manage content display and customize the displays to deliver information to the intended audience.