The University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business set out to create a state-of-the-art “stock room” that would not only deliver advanced educational capabilities, but also stand as a flagship space among leading business schools.
Working with Vista Technologies, Mendoza realized its vision: transforming ambitious goals into a tangible, technology-rich environment that impresses students and guests and supports future-focused learning, all brought to life on tight operational and budgetary constraints.
Project Background & Objectives
For Mendoza, simply meeting baseline technology requirements was not enough. The college wanted a stock room that would inspire, attract, and provide students direct, hands-on engagement with real-world financial markets.
As Tim Cichos, an AV Network Design Professional at Mendoza, says, “We knew during the consultation phase what the functions needed to be in the room. You can do this, you can do this, and you’ll have a display that’s this big. You’ll have sound that comes out of here, and so on. So, we had the general functionality sorted out pre-proposal.” This early clarity helped ensure that the investment would directly align with academic and competitive priorities.
At the same time, the project had to serve the practical goals of cost-effectiveness and long-term maintainability. Mendoza sought a partner that spoke the language of both technology and operations.
As Tim says, “Drew [Whitaker, Vista Technologies’ Director] and I both speak the same language. It’s easier to get across what I’m looking for. If Mendoza’s marketing team went to Vista, it would’ve been a very different experience.”
Solution Design and Collaborative Approach
From the outset, Vista Technologies prioritized purposeful design, close coordination, and flexibility. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution, Vista began with a detailed needs analysis—engaging not just with Mendoza’s IT team, but also consulting architectural teams and external industry peers.
This consultative, partnership-oriented approach led to a technology selection process that was both consensus-driven and future-proof. The team made deliberate choices: for example, selecting the industry-standard Rise Display ticker after consulting with other universities and AV experts. Vista further distinguished their work by focusing on the “wow factor.”
As Jim Hevel, Senior Account Manager at Vista, said, “It’s got a lot more sizzle than most of the projects we work on… You walk in here and all the screens and the ticker, the interesting ceiling—it doesn’t have all the styling and things that this room does. But that was the intent, right? If you’re going to attract more students and get people enthused, it’s going to do that.”
Every technical decision was customized—from the number of Bloomberg terminals (16) to the precise integration of video boards, audio, and digital signage. No two rooms at Mendoza ended up the same. Each installation was tailored for both student engagement and operational stability.
Implementation: Coordination & Execution
Execution required careful orchestration to balance tight project deadlines and competing campus priorities. Mendoza’s experience with Vista was marked by responsive service and an attention to detail seldom matched in large-scale institutional projects.
As Jim says, “You hate to say things couldn’t have gone better, but it is much more of that wow factor that Tim had mentioned.”
Field installation involved extensive collaboration: mounting and aligning equipment, terminating and testing cables, and iterative adjustments to achieve the ideal blend of aesthetics and functionality. The ability for Vista’s team and Mendoza’s staff to “speak the same language” proved to be a key success factor for facilities oversight.
As Tim put it, “When you’re working with somebody who really, really does know all the ins and outs…it adds a certain level of pressure, but also confidence that things will get done right.”
Throughout, Vista’s project managers stayed nimble, adjusting to evolving requirements without complaint and always with respect for operational logistics and staff workload—a crucial benefit for any facilities director juggling competing demands.
Results and Impact
The completed stock room does more than house advanced financial technology; it embodies Mendoza’s commitment to experiential, market-ready education. Students benefit from a hands-on environment that rivals Wall Street trading floors in functionality and atmosphere.
For Mendoza, the room’s visual and functional impact directly supports recruitment, fundraising, and ongoing program innovation—a model for how technology infrastructure can advance institutional mission.
On the operational side, Vista’s post-installation support and commitment to partnership mean facilities staff spend less time in troubleshooting and more time on high-value projects.
Tim summed up the experience simply: “When it came time to deliver, we did. And when it came time to cut the ribbon, things were working. Was it perfect and exact? Well, maybe not. But not to the point where anybody would notice, right?”
Lessons Learned & Best Practices
The Mendoza stock room project demonstrates the strategic value of deep collaboration and ongoing flexibility—key lessons for any facilities director managing modern learning environments:
- Consultation and Coordination: Engaging IT, facilities, architects, and end-users early delivers solutions that serve everyone’s needs.
- Industry Benchmarking: Relying on peer input for major technology decisions ensures future-proofing and robust performance.
- Ongoing Support: Even in the best installations, “issues can arise, and rapid response keeps systems running smoothly.”
- Custom Beyond Commodity: Bespoke solutions might entail more upfront discussion, but result in greater satisfaction and less rework.
A/V Solutions, Powered by Vista Technologies
For the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, the new stock room signals a new era in business and finance education—delivering hands-on, immersive experiences that make an impression on students, visitors, and administrators alike. With Vista Technologies as a partner, Mendoza realized its ambitions without sacrificing efficiency, safety, or budget discipline. The project sets a benchmark for how facilities directors can champion mission-driven upgrades that deliver both operational excellence and stakeholder satisfaction.
About Vista Technologies
Vista Technologies designs and installs innovative AV systems tailored to each organization’s unique needs, with services that span conference rooms, digital signage, classroom technology, and more. Their commitment to seamless integration, expert OneCare support, and ongoing partnership equips higher education institutions to achieve bold visions—without compromise.
