John Abbott College Builds Future-Ready Classrooms with Kramer AV Over IP Solutions

Expanding Capacity Without Expanding the Footprint

Faced with a growing student population and limited campus space, John Abbott College in Montreal, Québec needed a smart, scalable way to add classrooms-fast.

Instead of undertaking the costly and time-consuming process of constructing a new building, the college took a modular approach, installing 32 pre-fabricated units to create 13 new classrooms in what is now known as Maple Hall.

The challenge: these new classrooms had to be flexible, future-proof, and easy for instructors to use from day one.

AVoIP System Built for Scale, Simplicity, and Pedagogical Agility

Working closely with the integrator and Kramer, the college designed a technology environment that would empower instructors without overwhelming them. At the heart of the solution is Kramer’s AV over IP platform, designed to make it easy for teachers to present, collaborate, and share content with minimal setup or training.

Each classroom features:

• An 8” Kramer KT-208 touch panel and preview monitor at the instructor’s podium for intuitive control
• An 86” SMART interactive display and two additional 86” LG displays to ensure optimal sightlines from any seat
• A Kramer PA-120Z audio amplifier and GALIL 6-C ceiling speakers for clear, evenly distributed sound
• KDS-DEC7 video decoders that deliver ultra-low latency video over the college’s IP network
• Kramer VIA GO devices to support wireless 4K content streaming from any device- laptop, phone, or tablet

Unlike legacy point-to-point systems, Kramer’s AVoIP platform enables any input to be routed to any display—across classrooms, groups, or even campus-wide—unlocking new ways to teach and learn.

Flexibility That Supports Modern Teaching Styles

The result is a connected classroom experience that’s simple on the surface but incredibly powerful underneath.

“Instructors walk into the room and everything just works,” said Ryan Forster, Coordinator of End User Experience at John Abbott College. “They don’t need to think about inputs or buttons. They can focus on teaching, not on technology.”

The new setup enables instructors to split screens by group, share content from one class to another, or spotlight student presentations with a tap on the control panel. Instructors can annotate content directly on the interactive display or from their laptop and have it appear instantly on every screen in the room.

“It’s about flexibility,” Forster said. “We now have the infrastructure to support teaching that adapts in real time—whether it’s small group breakout sessions or sharing a single presentation with multiple classrooms.”

Thoughtful Design, Seamless Integration

The entire project—from wiring to the very first class—was completed in just four months. Each classroom’s AV components are housed in podium racks, making maintenance and access simple. A centralized network of Cisco Meraki and Ubiquiti switches handles the AV traffic, with each endpoint connected through streamlined Ubiquiti switches for consistent performance.

Control That Extends Beyond AV

Beyond AV, the Kramer control panels also manage classroom lighting and shades—giving instructors one-touch control over the entire learning environment. Motion sensors automate system shutoff to reduce energy consumption when rooms are unoccupied.

“We’re no longer locked into single-purpose rooms,” said Forster. “If a classroom needs to serve a different course tomorrow or scale up for a guest speaker, we can do that—without new infrastructure.”

A Blueprint for Scalable Growth

Encouraged by the success of Maple Hall, John Abbott College plans to expand its AVoIP infrastructure across more of its campus. Forster sees the investment as more than just an AV upgrade—it’s a shift in how the college approaches space, technology, and pedagogy.

“AV over IP gives us a foundation we can build on,” he said. “It’s not just about today—it’s about being ready for tomorrow, too.”