The power of IP and PoE is in the ease of integration.
As with any other security solution,
IP speakers are more popular in some verticals than others. This is due to several reasons, including how a vertical functions and how well the speakers can be integrated with the other operational equipment in the vertical.
Verticals keen to use IP speakers
According to Bob Mesnik, the most popular vertical continues to be education. School safety is the driving force for the increase. Naturally, with a recent increase in school safety concerns sparked by active shooter incidents, it is inevitable that authorities seek advanced solutions to make campuses safer and more secure. But education is not the only vertical that feels the need to use IP speakers. “The interest of religious organizations has increased quite a lot in the last few months,” Mesnik said. “Other markets such as manufacturing plants have older systems that need to be replaced. They are interested in adding the automated announcements that indicate the change of shifts and end of a work period.”
While speakers are often associated with these verticals with indoor usage, some industry professionals have also pointed out that IP speakers could be an ideal solution for perimeter
security when used alongside outdoor security cameras. If someone tries to climb over a fence or enter restricted premises, speakers can be used to deter or stop them.
Integrating video to sound
The real power of today’s security solutions is not in the individual devices but the effect they create when integrated into a single system. This is where IP really has an edge over analog. When it comes to IP speakers, the case is no different. “Even though we have provided integration of IP paging systems with IP camera systems, there has been more interest in the integration of IP intercoms with IP camera systems,” Mesnik said. “The IP intercoms are part of the solution provided with IP paging systems. The intercom can be connected to IP cameras or used independently to allow people to talk to visitors at the door.”
There are several ways in which a speaker can be connected to an IP video surveillance camera. At times speakers are integrated with microphones from a
PoE network to enable two-way communication. However, this can be tricky as different places have different laws regarding capturing audio in a public setting. Thespeakers that are integrated with video surveillance cameras can be managed through video management systems that support audio output.
Paging and mobile solutions
Besides this, IP paging systems can also be integrated with emergency buttons or triggered by the opening of a door. The integration of mobile emergency buttons has also increased dramatically over the last year and is expected to grow. One of the major attractions in using network paging systems is the ability to automate messages. Pushing a button can play pre-recorded announcements or provide information from preconfigured systems like a weather forecast service. “The latest mobile panic buttons are designed for business, education, healthcare, hotels, and other organizations,” said Mesnik. The mobile panic button operates through cell phone services, so they are not tethered to one location. They currently can be used in the U.S. and Canada. In the future, they will be available in other parts of the world.”