IP empowers communications. Sounds like a cliche? Let’s take a look at some of the commonplace scenarios campus security and IT professionals are facing today in the area of emergency communications.
Emergency Phones in dormitories
Analog phones are being removed from dormitories for a variety of reasons. Students don’t use them because they have cell phones. In an emergency, equipment failure due to its age can quickly turn into a liability. The cost to maintain legacy infrastructure might finally outweigh the upgrade option, prompting the change. Or it could also be a pure desire to standardize on IP.
Whichever the case, the problem is anything but trivial. Phasing out legacy emergency communications capability without a migration plan will cut the vital link between those seeking help and security personnel. The importance of such a communications channel cannot be overstated from both legal and public relations perspective.
So what are the options?
Phones can be installed in dormitory hallways for emergency use. VoIP is quickly becoming a de-facto standard for communications on IP network, so naturally office VoIP telephony is viewed as an alternative for emergency communications. However, business grade VoIP phones do not possess the necessary durability, are not designed with emergency communications in mind, and are not ADA compliant.
The proper way is to embrace and benefit from IP while keeping reliable emergency communications a priority. Upgrading to VoIP emergency communications is an attractive and inexpensive option because most campuses are equipped with necessary IP infrastructure.
Talkaphone’s ADA-compliant native Voice-over-IP emergency phone provides the capability to instantly connect to security personnel with a push of a button. Its vandal-resistant design gives it the necessary ruggedness to withstand harsh conditions.
Another benefit of the Talkaphone unit is additional layer-2 switch port that enables integration with other IP devices, such as IP access control and IP video surveillance.
To top it all off, Talkaphone’s VoIP emergency phone is equipped with a loud speaker, allowing it to act as a mass notification appliance during emergencies. Security can page any zone of VoIP emergency phones, or all-at-once with Talkaphone’s WEBS Contact® mass notification software.
VoIP emergency phones naturally fit into an overall comprehensive mass notification strategy, providing not only paging capability, but also a reliable two-way communications link during emergencies.
Emergency Phones in classrooms
The situation in classrooms is slightly different, yet it resonates with the issue of migration to alternative technology.
Traditionally, classrooms are equipped with announcement speakers only, leaving emergency communications out of the picture. But what if the students or staff inside a classroom need to reach out to campus security due to emergency?
With growing student safety concerns on campus and massive adoption of mass notification technology over existing IP infrastructure, it is reasonable to offer two-way communication capability inside classrooms.
Talkaphone’s ADA-compliant native Voice-over-IP emergency phones serve a dual role. On one hand, it’s a reliable and robust emergency communications device with unparalleled flexibility to work on SIP compliant VoIP networks.
On the other hand, it’s a durable and loud paging speaker, capable of outputting over 90dB. Talkaphone’s emergency phones can also be integrated with WEBS Contact® to form a powerful multi-layer mass notification solution.
Making the upgrade
As facilities are going IP for building-wide use, it becomes economical to install VoIP Emergency Phones in hallways, stairwells and elevators along with IP-based video surveillance and access control systems.
VoIP Emergency Phones are designed for emergency situations, thus their primary function is to establish reliable communications in the time of crisis. Emergency phones are also ADA compliant and their ruggedness gives passers-by a sense of security.
IP does empower communications. And now that emergency phones are available with VoIP, security professionals can take full advantage of their IP infrastructure.
