SAN JOSE, California – May 8, 2009 - Case Western Reserve University will be one of the first higher education institutions in the country to transform its campus facilities into an integrated smart building infrastructure implementing and utilizing the newest generation of advanced networking technology from Cisco to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

Technology affects every aspect of the way people live, learn, play, and work. However, in many cases today's building environments have not evolved to fully support these changing lifestyles. In addition, key trends are driving the need for building transformation—trends such as the drive for environmental and social responsibility, cost controls, and a new generation of research tools and sensors coming out of university and industry labs. Campus leadership and researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cisco are taking steps to transform the physical spaces of the future through technology innovation, delivering value-added real-time monitoring and building operations.

With Cisco executives, Case Western Reserve launched the new Connected Real Estate project during the university's annual summit on technology and collaboration known as CollabTech, this week on the Case Western Reserve campus.

The university will pilot the new technology solutions in its Frank O. Gehry-designed Peter B. Lewis Building, its world-class biomedical Wolstein Research Building and one of its largest campus residence halls, known as Pierce Hall.

"Case Western Reserve University is a perfect test-bed for these new smart building technologies," said John Wheeler, senior vice president for Administration at Case Western Reserve University. "We have over one hundred buildings constructed over one hundred and fifty years which produce hundreds of daily challenges for facilities specialists across the campus. Cisco has been a long standing and trusted technology solutions partner at Case Western Reserve. We are excited to explore how we can take advantage of our investments to provide smarter, more economical and better spaces for our research, teaching and learning, and residential communities."

"Connected Real Estate is about changing the way buildings, campuses, communities, and cities are designed, built and managed in the most efficient and economical fashion while maintaining environmental responsibility. Collaborating with thought leaders such as the Case Western Reserve University is another example of Cisco's commitment to create 'smart connected communities' which take advantage of the network as the platform," said Thierry Martens, vice president, Cisco Worldwide Connected Real Estate practice. 

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research, service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Sciences.

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