IP Paging and Intercom Made Easy

Successfully Integrating an old, legacy analog overhead paging system with a modern IP PBX can be challenging. Although the physical setup is quite simple (typically just configure and plug in an FXS IP gateway or connect to an FXS port on the PBX), getting it to work “well” is another challenge. Anytime we convert calls from IP to analog, we open ourselves up to potential issues such as echo and latency, which can negatively affect the voice quality of overhead paging calls.

Thankfully, there are options these days that allow us to provide effective overhead paging and intercom solutions without using legacy analog devices. Cyberdata manufactures a variety of “pure IP” paging and intercom devices which are easy to set up and manage, and are treated no differently than IP phones when we want to set them up on an IP PBX such as Asterisk, 3CX, Trixbox or Switchvox.

A popular choice for “non industrial” environment and applications is the Cyberdata VoIP Ceiling Speaker. This products acts just like an IP phone, and is easily powered via an 802.3af compliant PoE switch or injector, requiring only a single RJ45 CAT5 cable to connect to your network. This SIP enabled speaker can be mounted on the wall or on the ceiling and is registered as an extension on your IP PBX in the same manner you would set up an IP phone extension. It features a built-in web server for easy configuration. If you have several of them installed around your office you can even stick them in ring groups for instant “paging zones”.

If you need overhead paging / intercom capabilities in a noisy spot, such as a warehouse, manufacturing floor, etc…..Cyberdata also offers several wired and wireless SIP Paging Amplifiers. Like the normal SIP speaker, these devices are easy to configure and integrate and are also PoE compatible. They will provide the additional amplification you need for page or intercom over background noise, and feature connections for traditional analog-style horns.

Rounding out their product line, Cyberdata also has a unique IP Paging Server which supports multicast and allows you to easily set up a variety of IP paging “zones”.