Time is a valuable commodity. When it comes to life and death situations, a fraction of a second can make all the difference.
The Skinny: Helping to save time and lives is the company Kramer Electronics. Its new line of ProScale Digital Scaler/Switchers incorporate built-in mass notification and emergency communication (MNEC) provisions that warns building occupants.
The Specs: The ProScale line includes the VP-770, VP-771, VP773, VP-774, VP-773AMP and VP-774AMP products. These feature the ability to display emergency information on displays and projectors that are connected to the system.
Installation professionals can set up the products to automatically display messages and incorporate audio sirens. High-priority alerts with “Extreme” and “Severe” headers will appear nearly full screen to cover any existing content on users’ screens. Lower priority messages will run as text crawls at the bottom of screens. The products only require a simple, Ethernet-based connection to communicate.
The ProScale line of scalers/switchers utilize XML-based Common Alert Protocol (CAP). The CAP alerts cover everything from weather (hurricanes, storms, etc.) to safety and security problems.
Solutions: The scalers/switchers comply with the U.S. Emergency Alert System (EAS), which is coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Electronics professionals can install the products into educational campuses and corporate buildings.
