<h2>If you are thinking of upgrading or implementing a school paging system, you have two broad choices regarding equipment type.</h2>
<ul>
<li>Traditional amplifiers and speakers (with lots of speaker cable).</li>
<li>An ‘IP Audio’ or network-based system.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="https://issuu.com/multimediaau/docs/snnz45-term-2-2019" target="_blank">This article originally appeared in our Term 2 issue, which you can find online here. </a></strong></p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13814" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PROP-School-IP-and-PA-Edwards-5.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="202" /></p>
<p>The traditional solution certainly has its place for a small or compact site where all the classrooms are joined and close to the office or where the announcements will be made from.</p>
<p>But, in most situations, an IP network-based system will cost less and be quicker to install than the traditional analogue amplifiers and speakers, and you get a lot more functionality.</p>
<p>And, by functionality I mean:</p>
<ul>
<li>you can have a piece of music for the bell;</li>
<li>you may be able to make announcements directly from your mobile phone while out on school grounds;</li>
<li>remote support is possible if you want an external supplier to make adjustments to the settings;</li>
<li>easily interface to fire alarm or other (lockdown button) triggers to play automated messages;</li>
<li>easily create and edit groups or zones (senior school/junior school/indoor/outdoor, etc.).</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13815" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PROP-School-IP-and-PA-Edwards-1.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="515" /></p>
<p>When you want to add or move speakers you simply connect them to the existing network, or move them to a different network connection. This is one of the main advantages of a network-based system is that usually the existing infrastructure can be utilised.</p>
<p>For a traditional system, you would need to install speaker cabling from the school’s office to every place you need a speaker.</p>
<p>An IP-based paging system allows important information and messages to be broadcast everywhere you need it, any time, and with an easy-to-use central control interface with a host of automation and convenience at your fingertips.</p>
<p>With IP, you get an easy-to-use interface to manage the bell schedule, (use a piece of music or any sound file for the bell), trigger lockdown and alarms, and even play different bells and messages to different zones, or even room-by-room.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13813" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PROP-School-IP-and-PA-Edwards-4.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="617" /></p>
<p>Another advantage of IP audio systems is that they can work alongside conventional paging equipment and provide some useful add-ons.</p>
<p>For example, you can keep what is working with your old system and add a bell scheduler and alarm panel interface, lockdown triggers and more.</p>
<p>When new areas need speaker coverage, simply use the IP-compatible ones and leave the old speakers there. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: right;"><strong>Expandable</strong></h3>
<p>It is easy to expand these network-based systems and add more speakers, or relocate existing speakers to new rooms.</p>
<p>You can relocate a speaker to another room’s network connection and it will sync back up with the controller automatically and carry on receiving broadcasts without any extra management needed.</p>
<h3><strong>Easy-to-use</strong></h3>
<p>You get a simple and modern control interface over bells, live and pre-recorded announcements, alarm and lockdown drills and also have a mechanism to trigger emergency messages, lockdowns and alarms.</p>
<p>The system uses your network to provide total control and flexibility over your school communications with connection through indoor and outdoor speakers everywhere; classrooms, corridors, fields and halls.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13816" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PROP-School-IP-and-PA-Edwards-3.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="556" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: right;"><strong>Classroom solutions</strong></h3>
<p>The new systems are not just for bells, paging and public address. If you need ‘classroom speakers’ for a teacher’s microphone (headset wireless microphones) or for projector and AV sound connections, they can also be compatible with the paging system and connect in automatically. </p>
<p>Flashing lights can be triggered as visual indicators that a message or bell is being played in special needs classes. </p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13812" src="https://www.schoolnews.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/PROP-School-IP-and-PA-Edwards-2.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="486" /></p>
<h3><strong>Installation process</strong></h3>
<p>The installation of IP-based systems does not need to be disruptive to your classes. Speakers simply need to be screwed to the wall and a cable connected to your network, and power. The software is usually pre-configured and a dedicated mini connected to your network.</p>
<p>Some fine tuning, setting speaker volumes and setting up the bell schedule and audio tracks and it should be up and running.</p>
<p>In a nutshell, IP Audio systems:</p>
<ul>
<li>Use the existing network, saving time and money.</li>
<li>Are quick to install and maintain settings.</li>
<li>Make announcements to individual rooms or zones.</li>
<li>Incorporate easy school-wide connection and audio coverage.</li>
<li>Are totally customisable to your needs, bell timetable and zones.</li>
<li>Include options to integrate with your VoIP phones for real flexibility.</li>
<li>Have excellent sound quality.</li>
<li>Makes it easy to add, move or relocate speakers.</li>
<li>Makes remote support available via internet.</li>
<li>Makes changes to speaker zones in the software quick and easy.</li>
<li>Removes limit to distance between speakers.</li>
<li>Ensures the bell and automatic messages are easily added and scheduled.</li>
<li>Interfaces to your fire alarms, easy-to-run lockdown drills and triggers other warning messages.</li>
<li>Any .MP3 file can be imported and used as a bell, alarm or scheduled message.</li>
<li>Allows you to interface with and connect to existing PA systems as a convenient way to extend reach without installing a lot of extra speaker cable.</li>
</ul>

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