How Bosch Building Technologies is creating IP champions

Bosch Building Technologies’ Maarten Wings explains that the company has re-focused its team on IP to help ensure customers can benefit from the advantages of its IP-based Praesensa PA/VA solution.

The electronic security market is naturally cautious when it comes to new technology.

However, when something is proven to work to the high demands of the sector, it can become mainstream very rapidly. A typical example of this was the widespread adoption of IP technology in the CCTV space.

Where camera resolution used to be king, sales discussions suddenly became all about bandwidth and IP-based systems.

It was the people who could confidently have those conversations that won out as IP-based networked CCTV solutions became the de facto standard.

This shift to IP has been visible in the audio world for many years but has now gained speed and is now impossible to ignore in PA/VA space.

When it comes to evacuation systems and public safety, intelligibility is one of the most important factors. In order to guide people safely away from danger, the crowd needs to be able to hear the instructions you are giving them.

Expertise and regulatory compliance

We often see that professionals in the acoustic space know how to achieve this and how to make reverberant spaces like transport hubs, shopping malls and stadia sound as good as they possibly can so messages cut through the noise.

They also have to understand the regulations and requirements, such as EN54, that public spaces need to follow to ensure that PA/VA solutions are legally compliant.

However, an area of weakness can often be found in their knowledge of IP and networking technology.

New stakeholders and IT influence

There are new stakeholders in the decision-making process for PA/VA systems and, increasingly, IT-related topics are influencing the selection.

This includes factors like flawless operation through redundancies and the ability to use existing networks to make a safe investment through choosing futureproof technology, which is why a good functional knowledge of IP technology is becoming critical.

Leadership in IP-based solutions

Bosch Building Technologies is in a powerful position for this new reality. The IP-based Praesensa public address and voice alarm system has been a market leader for a number of years.

Its audio quality and EN54 certification meet the needs of acousticians while its IP networking credentials like integrated redundancies and compatibility with Dante audio and AES70 tick all the boxes for IT requirements.

It also benefits from OMNEO IP-architecture, an architectural approach for connecting devices over IP to exchange information including audio content and device control.

OMNEO offers users of all levels a professional-grade media networking solution that combines interoperability, unique features for easier installation, better performance and greater scalability.

This is why Praesensa is being used for mission-critical applications in a variety of diverse locations from Theatre & Concert Orpheus, one of the largest theatres in the Netherlands, to Meadow Lane, the home of the world’s oldest professional football club, Notts County, as well as countless airports like Dubai and Munich and train stations the world over.

With important references and proven technology, it would be easy for Bosch Building Technologies to rest on its laurels as the company is in a remarkably healthy position when it comes to IP technology.

Praesensa has shown itself on numerous occasions to be an advanced and cost-efficient fully IP-based system featuring a smart-power concept and integrated redundancy.

Equally, its capabilities are known to make the PA/VA solution a perfect choice for centralised and decentralised network topologies.

The portfolio has been expanded to meet user needs with hardware such as the Ambient Noise Sensor and the PRA-WCP Wall Control Panel and software enabling user-friendly comprehensive system control.

Empowering the team

The next phase for Bosch Building Technologies is a shift in mindset for the team, from sales to application engineers ensuring that they live and breathe IP to serve customers in the best possible way.

The team has been internally educated and people will always be on-hand to deal with IP-based questions no matter how simple or complex.

A high level understanding of networking has been added to pre-existing audio knowledge to ensure they will be able to support consultants and integrators.

Sitting above this team is a smaller group of IP professionals who are focused on supporting the most complex matters.

This team is there for problem-solving and design for even the most challenging projects.

They are on a development path to remain at the cutting edge of the subject and work with the rest of the team to help them increase their knowledge and make sure that they are up to date.

These two layers will create a solid core for Bosch Building Technologies to demonstrate its specialty in IP-based PA/VA systems.

Training in the fundamentals of IP means the team will be able to provide essential IP understanding and speak knowledgeably.

They will be supported by the smaller group of IP professionals who will be on-hand to help them if the conversation moves beyond the IP comfort zone.

Bosch Building Technologies is providing security professionals with peace of mind that they are dealing with a company that understands the market and the direction it is traveling in.

It means that systems will be designed to the latest standards and that installations will provide flawless sound quality, meet regulatory requirements and offer the flexibility and networked benefits of a modern IP-based PA/VA solution.

Customers will buy a futureproof solution fit to adapt to the public standards of tomorrow.

Navigating the changing industry

The electronic security industry is changing and IP networking is at the heart of that change.

Thanks to our IP focus, security teams will never need to compromise in the evacuation solution they choose.

If they are unfamiliar with the benefits that IP brings, the Bosch team can support them and guide them through the decision-making process.

At Bosch Building Technologies, we see our focus on IP as a key resource in supporting our customers.

They are here to help you get the most out of Praesensa and make sure that your installed PA/VA system is the right solution for your needs.