The challenge
Amesbury School, an independent co-educational day school for children aged 2-13 years, is located on the Surrey, Hampshire, and West Sussex borders. As a Microsoft Showcase School, Amesbury has long embraced technology to enhance education. However, its existing setup was proving inadequate. Teachers relied on Microsoft Display Adapters for screen sharing, but these devices were unreliable, frequently dropping connections and disrupting lessons—highlighting the need for a more robust solution.
“The display adapters were a constant source of frustration,” says Tony Sharps, Head of IT at Amesbury. “Teachers were losing valuable teaching time. Rooms had inconsistent performance, and troubleshooting often required a full reboot of devices. It wasn’t sustainable.”
In addition, Amesbury faced persistent challenges in two other key areas:
- Digital signage: For over a decade, attempts to implement digital signage had been abandoned due to cost and complexity.
- Emergency messaging: The school’s lockdown alerts previously relied on a patchwork of systems, including phones and SMS, which were cumbersome and potentially disruptive during sensitive situations. Amesbury’s large, multi-building campus, with some listed structures and fields situated at a distance from the main school buildings, made communication during emergencies particularly challenging.
The search for a solution
Amesbury needed a robust, affordable solution for wireless screen mirroring, but they had no idea that all their IT needs could be unified into one solution. Over the years, the school trialled various options like AirServer, ScreenBeam, and even Amazon Fire Sticks, but none provided the reliability or functionality required.
“Every solution we tried either failed to meet expectations or introduced new problems,” Sharps explains. “I’d almost given up on finding the right tool until I attended an ANME webinar showcasing Vivi. It was a game-changer.”
As Sharps delved deeper into Vivi, he discovered it was more than just wireless screen mirroring. It combined emergency alerts, digital signage, and other features—all previously managed with separate systems—into one cohesive solution. “When I saw how it all worked together, I was amazed. It was exactly what we needed,” he said.
The Vivi impact
After piloting Vivi in classrooms experiencing the most issues with display adapters, the results were immediate and dramatic:
- Reliable screen sharing: “For the first time, teachers were able to teach uninterrupted,” Sharps says. “No dropouts, no delays, just smooth, reliable performance.”
- Simplified lesson planning: Vivi’s intuitive features, like screen pausing and content play mode, eliminated the need for cumbersome workarounds, saving time and effort for staff.
The platform also addressed long-standing challenges in other areas:
- Digital signage: Vivi’s signage capabilities unlocked new possibilities for communication and engagement. “From showcasing event information to entertaining students during wet breaks, Vivi’s digital signage feature has transformed how we use our screens,” says Sharps.
- Emergency alerts: Vivi’s silent, site-wide lockdown visual messaging proved invaluable. “The ability to send context-specific alerts to different buildings has revolutionised our emergency procedures,” Sharps explains. “It’s exactly what we needed to ensure student safety across the entire campus.”
Consistent support
Sharps credits Vivi’s team for providing exceptional support throughout the rollout. “Whether it’s troubleshooting or training, they’re always ready to help. Their guidance has been instrumental in getting the most out of the platform.”
Innovation and future plans
Amesbury is just beginning to explore the full potential of Vivi:
- Student engagement: “We’re excited to bring students into the mix,” says Sharps. “Vivi’s collaborative tools will elevate classroom interactivity, allowing students to share work and engage directly with the lesson content.”
- Enhanced content management: Teachers are leveraging features like Play Content mode to streamline lesson delivery. “One of our language teachers wanted to play audio files for students while maintaining control over the lesson. Vivi made it effortless,” Sharps explains.
- Expanded emergency messaging: The school plans to refine its lockdown procedures, creating tailored alerts for different buildings and training additional staff to trigger messages.
The path forward
With Vivi’s success in wireless screen mirroring, digital signage, and emergency alerts, Amesbury looks forward to integrating more advanced features and expanding its use across the school.
“Vivi has revolutionised our approach to technology,” Sharps concludes. “It’s saved teaching time, improved safety, and opened countless possibilities for engagement. We’re only scratching the surface of what we can achieve.”
Conclusion
Amesbury School’s adoption of Vivi has been a resounding success. By solving long-standing challenges and unlocking new opportunities, Vivi is empowering Amesbury to create a dynamic, efficient, and innovative learning environment.
