Q&A: Inovonics Provides Helpful Panic Alarm Deployment Tips

Besides the usual, what really specific thing differentiates you from your competitors?
Range and reliability. Hospital, school and university environments can be very challenging, especially when you are talking about campuses. The Inovonics EchoStream network was designed with these types of facilities in mind, and no other wireless network can provide the radio coverage and message reliability that we can. Our systems meet the tough standards established by UL for alarm capture (99.99%) as well as the ability to cover multi-acre sites and support thousands of device end-points

What’s the best application tip/tactic involving your solutions you’ve come across?
The key with any Inovonics system is the repeater network. Once installed, our repeaters allow for monitoring virtually anything. Whether using Inovonics duress pendants or alarm sensors, or a third party sensor tied to an Inovonics universal transmitter, a robust repeater network is a vital addition to any campus.

What one technical tip can you offer campuses about the deployments of your solutions?
Spend the time and money up front to make sure you install enough repeaters… not just for today’s needs, but to enable future applications as well.  The minor up front expense will more than pay for itself by future proofing your system.

Where do healthcare or educational institutions typically get tripped up on applications?
Institutions these days are investing heavily in their WiFi networks. As a result, they often mandate that multiple applications use these networks when, in fact, shared WiFi networks may not be appropriate for certain applications where life safety and physical security is required. 

Do you have any other advice to hospitals, schools or universities?
Wireless systems continue to evolve and have become just as reliable as wired systems. When looking at new systems, it’s important to include wireless in any evaluation.

What is your favorite thing about working with hospital, school and university clients?
It’s always rewarding to work with institutions that are in the business of helping other people and seeing their reaction when the first alarm messages appear within seconds when the customer knows they’ve been routed across campus, through and around buildings.