SonicCat Studios has been a trusted partner to Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, British Columbia for many years, providing comprehensive Linux system administration and open-source software solutions. Our long-standing relationship with TRU’s IT department has enabled us to deliver tailored technical expertise that supports the university's academic mission while ensuring operational efficiency and scalability.
Moodle Learning Management System
SonicCat is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of TRU's Moodle learning management system (LMS). As a critical platform for delivering course content to both on-campus and global remote learners through TRU’s Open Learning department, our team ensures that Moodle remains a reliable and robust tool for teaching and learning.
Linux System Administration
SonicCat provides expert Linux system administration and support services for TRU, managing a diverse portfolio of IT infrastructure servers. We are dedicated to maintaining high availability and performance across TRU’s server environment, ensuring uninterrupted access to critical systems for faculty, staff, and students.
BigBlueButton Video Conferencing
In response to the urgent need for remote collaboration tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, SonicCat built and deployed a BigBlueButton video conferencing cluster (https://bigbluebutton.org ) on short notice for TRU. This scalable solution consists of multiple video conference servers integrated with a load balancer to handle increased demand, ensuring smooth online interactions between students and instructors.
The cluster seamlessly integrates with TRU’s Moodle, Mattermost, and WordPress platforms, providing a unified digital environment for teaching and collaboration. Additionally, the service includes dial-in phone conferencing via integration with a Voice Over IP (VoIP) provider, offering flexibility for participants who prefer or require access via telephone. By hosting this service entirely within Canada, we ensure compliance with British Columbia’s privacy legislation while maintaining high performance standards.
Drupal and Wordpress
SonicCat has developed and managed a number of internal and external websites for TRU using the open-source content management systems Drupal and WordPress. Our work includes designing custom applications tailored to TRU’s needs, such as a group study room booking system for the university library that simplified resource allocation for students.