The Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system software supports up to 100 zones, each connected to multiple PA extensions. Fully software-based, it requires no specialized hardware or cabling, and zones can be easily created or modified by adding or removing extensions, offering complete flexibility to adapt over time to changing security requirements and operational needs.

Multicast Paging is a network-efficient method used in IP-based Public Address (PA) systems to broadcast audio messages to multiple endpoints simultaneously using a single multicast IP stream. Instead of sending individual streams to each device, all endpoints subscribed to the multicast group receive the message, reducing bandwidth usage and enabling real-time communication. This approach is highly scalable, supports targeted announcements to different zones or departments, and is widely used for urgent alerts, mass notifications, and regular paging across schools, offices, factories, and large campuses.

The vast majority of paging requirements are typically simplex (one-way) communication, with two-way communication needed only rarely. The Com1 IP-based PA system supports both simplex and duplex communication, which can be preprogrammed when creating groups. However, two-way communication depends not only on the software but also requires compatible terminal and originating equipment.

This was a specific requirement developed for one of the largest refineries in India, where the tender mandated a redundant setup for a set of extensions, where one extension would serve as a backup, taking over in the event of any network or equipment failure. Since this was a specialized development for an OEM, also requiring compatible hardware, any similar requirement can be coordinated with the OEM for execution.

The Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system also functions as a background music system, allowing customizable music to be played across different zones or individual speakers. Each zone can have its own music schedule, providing complete flexibility for the customer to manage and broadcast background music as needed, without any hardware constraints.

The Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system can optionally serve as a time announcement tool, announcing the current time every 15 minutes in zones or extensions where background music is active. This feature is fully optional, allowing the customer to enable or disable time announcements independently of background music, even permitting some zones to have time announcements while others do not.

The Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system can optionally function as a scheduled announcement tool, allowing up to 100 announcements (9800 to 9899) to be programmed. These announcements can be scheduled in advance with hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly intervals, or triggered on demand, and can be linked to pre-created files. Files can be created either by uploading a WAV file or generating a voice message using the built-in text-to-speech engine, which supports up to 11 popular Indian languages in addition to English.

Very unique and unmatched in the industry, the Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system offers seamless integration with any fire alarm control panel via Modbus protocol over TCP/IP. In the event of an alert, the system can trigger a preprogrammed evacuation message for the affected zone, with highly customized messaging tailored to the sensor and zone. This ensures clear communication of the threat without causing panic in other areas, making it ideal for large, complex installations requiring specialized zone-specific alerts.

In the event of an emergency—such as a terrorist attack, theft, fire, or any other threat—specified allowed extensions can dial 9999 to record a panic message of up to 10 seconds. Once the call is terminated, the message is played to all extensions and broadcast over all PA speakers connected to the system, ensuring everyone in the area is promptly informed, giving them critical time to take precautions and respond appropriately.

The Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system can seamlessly create a paging network across multiple locations, enabling customers to use all features without geographical limitations. For example, a large retail chain can broadcast specific announcements, play background music at scheduled intervals, or run scheduled messages across selected or all outlets, providing operational convenience for mass communication to both customers and employees.

The Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system imposes no limits on the number of Call Stations and incurs no additional cost for deployment. Any extension can announce or broadcast messages using an IP phone, analogue phone, or softphone on a mobile device, either on-premises or remotely from anywhere globally. Additionally, a PC based Call Station is provided at no extra cost, functioning as a specialized Call Station with advanced capabilities, eliminating the need for additional hardware.

Com1 IP-based Public Address (PA) system integrates seamlessly into a customer’s existing IP network—or an exclusive IP network set up for this application—delivering minimum cost savings of up to 60% during deployment and reducing ongoing maintenance expenses. Expansions or modifications, such as adding, moving, or removing points, require only minimal wiring and simple software configuration, eliminating the extensive planning and cabling challenges typical of analog systems.