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The NIU College of Business was pleased to open its much-anticipated HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology (HCAT) this fall, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting in October.

Located on the third floor of Barsema Hall, this new lab represents the college’s commitment to experiential learning and cutting-edge technologies. Through real-world projects in partnership with HAVI, business students will be prepared for occupations of the future.

The lab enables industry-relevant, hands-on learning experiences in artificial intelligence and analytics, including machine learning, blockchain, big data, Internet of Things (IoT) and data visualization.

“The HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology will especially be used for projects, as there are eight pods for four students to work together on a 32-inch shared monitor. One of the coolest items is the ‘BenQ’ – an 86-inch monitor that allows you to write and draw on it and then erase it later. It’s like the tech that the networks use for football coverage to diagram plays on a live screen,” said Department of OM&IS Chair Charles Petersen.

“We are excited to partner with the NIU College of Business to launch the HAVI Center for Analytics and Technology,” said Rodney Brown, senior VP and chief supply chain officer at HAVI. “This initiative will be a game changer for HAVI and our partners, not to mention NIU students and data analytics leaders of the future. Our success as an organization depends on attracting and retaining top talent, and HCAT will be an important part of our strategy to attract top Huskie talent to HAVI. Access to outstanding faculty researchers will also enable HAVI to stay at the forefront of solving difficult challenges in the areas of analytics and supply chain and provides access to the latest technology in this space.”

HAVI, a global leader in supply chain analytics solutions, has made a significant financial and engagement commitment to this project, recognizing the need for intellectual talent in the field of AI and analytics. HAVI’s values align with the college’s mission to nurture young minds to be leaders who transform the world.

“We are so thankful to our partner, HAVI, for their incredibly generous investment in our students. We expect the lab to be a hub for collaborating with other tech-rich disciplines across the whole NIU campus, and we are happy to share these state-of-the-art resources with all our Huskie students,” said Dean Joan Phillips-Hernandez.