The Bloomberg Trading Suite

introduction

Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Business School, located in Manchester, UK, is a leading institution recognized for its excellence in business education. Ranked among the top 1% of business schools worldwide, it holds the prestigious triple accreditation, a distinction achieved by only a select group of business schools globally. The latest addition to campus is the state-of-the-art Bloomberg Suite, providing students with hands-on access to industry-standard financial data, analytics tools, and real-time market information to enhance their practical learning experience.

the challenge

MMU set out to create an advanced finance teaching environment that could replicate the fast-paced nature of a professional trading floor within a university setting. They sought a solution that bridged the gap between academic theory and professional practice, giving students practical experience and skills directly applicable to their future careers in the finance industry.

the solution

With prior experience helping to drive digital transformations across MMU, Roche AV Pro was brought in at the early design stage of the Bloomberg Trading Suite project. Roche AV Pro leaned on their previous successes on campus to translate MMU’s vision into a practical and technically robust solution. The performance of the Crestron technology portfolio across previous projects made the solutions a natural choice to deliver the intuitive, reliable, and versatile technology platform required for this new space.

“MMU wanted to create a learning environment that could mimic a professional trading floor, and Crestron technology gave us the flexibility and reliability needed to bring that vision to life.” -Craig Pickard, perations Director, Roche AV Pro

the technology

The Bloomberg Suite enables students to work with Bloomberg Terminals and analyze live economic and financial data in real time, empowering students to develop practical trading and risk assessment skills. Designed to support both undergraduate and postgraduate finance programs, the facility promotes industry-led learning with experiences that can translate directly to their resumes while strengthening connections between academia and the financial sector. The space also provides lecturers with a seamless, technology-enhanced platform for engaging and interactive teaching experiences.

Crestron was selected as the preferred AV brand at MMU following its successful deployment across previous projects, including the School of Digital Arts (SODA) and the Science & Engineering facilities. Chosen for its reliability, scalability and user-friendly interface, the system permits lecturers to distribute content effortlessly to multiple displays throughout the room. The installation incorporates a Crestron-controlled teaching lectern, multiple large-format displays, 35 dual-display student workstations, and bespoke vertical stock tickers developed with OneMedia.

At the heart of the Bloomberg Suite is a fully integrated Crestron AV control system paired with Crestron DM NVX® AV-over-IP technology, creating an intuitive experience for both professors and students. Each student workstation is equipped with dual displays, enabling users to efficiently multitask between Bloomberg Terminals and coursework, while the instructor station at the front of the room features dual displays and a Crestron touch screen for content management and presentation control. DM NVX AV-over-IP technology allows content from Bloomberg Terminals, workstations, and external devices to be shared across displays throughout the trading suite. This infrastructure delivers low-latency content distribution, critical in a real-time financial trading suite where market data accuracy and clarity are essential.

One of the suite’s most distinctive features is a bespoke vertical stock ticker re-engineered from a conventional horizontal format to display global financial data, creating a striking visual centerpiece that aligns with the design vision of the university. Despite the challenge of accommodating 35 dual-display workstations within an open-plan layout, the system was engineered to allow each station to operate independently or mirror instructor content, supporting both individual and collaborative learning.

“Our new Bloomberg Suite is absolutely spectacular. Lecturers can demonstrate complex tasks on one screen while students follow along on the other, in real time. Crestron technology enables a new level of engagement and interaction across the room.” John Valentine, IT Services Campus Team Leader, Manchester Metropolitan University

the results

Crestron technology has transformed the Bloomberg Suite into a highly dynamic, data-rich learning environment that immerses students in real-world trading scenarios and mirrors the pace and functionality of professional financial markets. Crestron’s intuitive control capabilities support both independent and collaborative learning, ensuring lecturers and students can interact with live market data efficiently and effectively. By combining innovative technology with real-world functionality, the suite has set a benchmark for trading floor design in higher education and has inspired similar installations at other academic institutions.