In this featured piece by AVNetwork, the outlet examines mass notification systems as a growing opportunity for AV integrators serving the K-12 market. The article details how AtlasIED’s IPX Series, a family of networked IP endpoints, integrates with Singlewire’s InformaCast software to extend consistent alerts beyond school buildings to off-premise devices, reaching remote instructors, students, parents, and community members. Gina Sansivero, vice president of marketing and corporate communications at AtlasIED, explained that combining IPX with InformaCast lets districts send the same alert to on-site speakers and displays as well as mobile devices off campus. The piece also profiles other vendors in the space, including Barix, Bogen, and Biamp, and outlines advice for AV integrators pursuing K-12 mass notification opportunities.
Key Takeaways
- AtlasIED’s IPX Series, a family of networked IP endpoints, integrates with Singlewire’s InformaCast software to extend school alerts to off-premise mobile devices.
- Gina Sansivero, vice president of marketing and corporate communications at AtlasIED, said the combined system delivers the same consistent messaging to remote instructors, students, parents, and community members.
- Both IPX and InformaCast offer integration with VoIP and other networks, according to the article.
- AtlasIED’s IPX IP-to-analog gateway lets integrators connect new digital endpoints to a school’s existing analog speakers, avoiding a full equipment replacement.
- Sansivero advises AV integrators to secure buy-in from multiple K-12 stakeholders, including technology directors, security staff, superintendents, and administrators, since security funding is often more available than instructional technology funding.
Original Story
Like everything in AV, mass notification systems have moved to the network, providing both integrators and end users increased flexibility, scalability, and customization. The K-12 market—where life safety is top priority—presents AV firms with the opportunity to address the need to deliver consistent, widespread messaging during emergency events.
AtlasIED, a communications solutions developer headquartered in Ennis, TX, offers the IPX Series, a family of networked IP endpoints including speakers, visual displays, and an IP-to-analog gateway that integrates with legacy systems.
To extend mass notifications beyond the school premises, AtlasIED offers Singlewire’s InformaCast software, which will deliver alerts to mobile devices off-premises. “The same consistent messaging that goes out to our IPX product can be deployed off-premise to any of the instructors that might be teaching remotely, any of the students that might need to be kept up-to-date on certain campus-wide events, but also parents and community members,” Sansivero explained. Both IPX and InformaCast offer seamless integration with VoIP and other networks.