IP is ideal for public address

July 2012 Infrastructure

The Network Anywhere ambition of today’s business world means that virtually every company is working over an IP backbone. A true IP-based system is unlimited in its reach, genuinely capable of going to the moon and back. Its infrastructure is manageable from a centralised systems approach, without the headaches of supervising multiple disparate pieces.

Based on these core attributes, it is no wonder why IP has taken off in the security space. The migration from legacy to IP video security systems is seen everywhere, as cameras and recording devices are increasingly assimilated into the network.

The role of audio is gradually coming into better focus. Remote monitoring centres, for example, are integrating one-way and bidirectional audio into surveillance streams. This delivers alarming, intercom and other opportunities alongside the visual surveillance aspect.

IP also offers a better way to deploy paging and public address systems. The move to IP begins the process of reducing wiring and infrastructure associated with legacy audio systems, while introducing efficiencies related to greener power use (including Power over Ethernet, or PoE) and system redundancy. It also provides the advantages of centralised management and unlimited network reach that are difficult to achieve with CobraNet and other systems that are oriented to the live sound arena.

Increased convergence

Security integrators are often faced with the challenge of integrating a facility’s existing legacy components into a new IP system. Many Barix customers begin with parts of a paging system in place, from isolated legacy components in different buildings, to a single-facility IP system ripe for expansion to more zones.

Swiss Federal Railways and NJ Transit are two examples. Both had existing digital, network-based systems in their larger hub stations, but the more remote stations were connected using leased lines, analogue wires and phone technology, with questionable reliability and audio quality. Barix IP audio devices and off-the-shelf network components were later added, enabling operators to easily connect large numbers of smaller, remote stations to the central infrastructure at low cost. This provided both a means of transmitting announcements to the stations and real-time monitoring of equipment health and message delivery.

Such expandability is impossible with straight legacy systems, where operators are limited to four or eight zones. IP allows any device to be a zone, and centralised management of every device in the network. This greatly reduces the total cost of ownership, especially considering that the same network infrastructure is being used for other purposes in everyday business.

Value adds

The days of being forced into closed, proprietary systems gradually disappear with the transition to IP. There is more freedom in designing systems with open standards, which ultimately allows integrators and end users to build custom systems aligned with the end user’s vision. The shared network infrastructure simplifies the process of adding other audio and data services such as background music and priority messaging. The openness of the IP network allows for easy switching between higher-quality audio codecs, such as PCM, and standard VoIP codecs.

The SIP protocol offers another interesting value-add for IP paging and PA systems. Integrators and end users can take two roads to SIP deployment. Straightforward SIP is a simple process that transforms speakers into specialised telephones via a SIP extension on the PBX system. This is ideal for offices, where desk phones can be used to initiate pages to other office phones and potentially some speakers located in hallways and common areas. Everything in this scenario is SIP-centric.

The other method expands beyond the PBX system to central paging consoles. This is essentially a true paging system that can support pre-page chimes, grouping, zone selection and connectivity to other master paging stations. These are especially useful, for example, in lockdown situations on university campuses and other multi-building properties where flexibility in addressing specific end points is required.

In this scenario, Barix Annuncicom PS16 master paging stations or ICGraph workstations act as paging sources, independent of any central system. A PBX phone system can be still integrated as a paging source via the SIP protocol. A master paging station essentially supports better audio quality and voice intelligibility than a traditional PBX phone system – potentially a difference-maker in emergency situations.

Value adds like background music, SIP communication, priority paging, PoE and reduced infrastructure – such as integrating the traditional standalone amplifier into the decoder or speaker at the end point – are all possibilities when moving your paging and public address operation to the IP environment.

Johannes Rietschel
Johannes Rietschel

For more information contact Barix, +41 43 433 2211, marcel@barix.com, www.barix.com





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Navigating South Africa's cybersecurity regulations
Sophos Information Security Infrastructure
[Sponsored] Data privacy and compliance are not just buzzwords; they are essential components of a robust cybersecurity strategy that cannot be ignored. Understanding and adhering to local data protection laws and regulations becomes paramount.

Read more...
Creating a cybersecurity strategy in a world where threats never sleep
Information Security Infrastructure
[Sponsored Content] The boom of Internet of Things (IoT) technology and the chaos that surrounded the sudden shift to work-from-home models in 2020 kick-started the age of cybercrime. In that period, incidents rose by 600%, affecting every industry and showing no signs of slowing down.

Read more...
Gallagher Security’s achieves SOC2 Type 2 recertification
Gallagher News & Events Integrated Solutions Infrastructure
Gallagher has achieved System and Organization Controls (SOC2 Type 2) recertification after a fresh audit of the cloud-hosted services of its integrated security solution, Command Centre. The recertification was achieved on 21 December 2023.

Read more...
Cyberattacks the #1 cause of business outages
Editor's Choice Information Security Infrastructure
The latest survey by Veeam Software shows that 92% of organizations will increase their spending on data protection by 2024 to achieve cyber resilience due to continued threats of ransomware and cyberattacks.

Read more...
Nology races to end 2023
Editor's Choice News & Events Infrastructure
Nology ended 2023 with an event highlighting its various products and services to the local market, followed by a few laps around the Kyalami Indoor Karting track.

Read more...
Cybersecurity integrated with data protection
Technews Publishing News & Events Infrastructure
Last year's VeeamOn Tour conference in South Africa was a smaller version of the annual global Veeam conference, aimed at the company's regional partners and customers.

Read more...
Enhanced cellular connectivity is critical for farm safety
Infrastructure Agriculture (Industry)
In South Africa, the safety of our rural communities, particularly on farms, is a pressing concern. Nearly 32% of South Africa’s 60 million people live in these areas, where security challenges are constantly in the spotlight.

Read more...
All aspects of data protection
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Information Security Infrastructure AI & Data Analytics
SMART Security Solutions spoke to Kate Mollett, Senior Director, Commvault Africa, about the company and its evolution from a backup specialist to a full data protection specialist, as well as the latest announcements from the company.

Read more...
Revolutionising networking technology for the future
Infrastructure IoT & Automation
[Sponsored] In the fast-evolving landscape of networking technology, RUCKUS Networks stands out as a trailblazer, offering innovative solutions that redefine connectivity experiences across various industries.

Read more...
Edge could help transform South Africa’s healthcare
Axis Communications SA Infrastructure
Edge computing has emerged as a game-changing technology for many industries, and the healthcare sector is no exception. In particular, South Africa’s healthcare industry could significantly benefit from the potential of this technology.

Read more...