As important as one-way and two-way communications are in buildings and campuses, a key ingredient to a comprehensive solution is how on-premise systems communicate with off-premise systems. Because telephones today are located in virtually everyone’s workspace, they have become the ideal solution to the user interface with both Public Address and Intercom systems.

Whether your Telephone Systems are provided by SimplexGrinnell or purchased separately, we can integrate them with external systems using industry standard interfaces.

Let us craft a Sound Solution for you.

Telephone System Types and Operation
From a high-level view, there are four basic types of on-premise, multi-line telephone systems: 

Key Systems — Allow each user to see and select lines directly and require proprietary phones

PBXs — Select outgoing lines automatically and can accommodate non-proprietary analog (consumer type) phones

Hybrid Phone Systems — Combine the features of both Key Systems and PBXs.

VoIP Systems — Use Ethernet-compatible phones and/or computers with virtual phone software.

Application considerations will depend on system size, interconnectivity with other communications systems, emergency communications plans, network requirements, voice mail applications, unified communications techniques, and enterprise planning.

Integration with Other Communications Systems
As a nationally recognized systems integrator, SimplexGrinnell can give your on-premise systems the capability to interconnect with off-premise devices, expanding their operation beyond individual system limits.

Examples include call transferring to other locations when main response stations are not in use, as well as wireless telephone connection to a mobile workforce.

The keys to successful integration planning are a thorough assessment of all on- and off-premises communications needs, an intimate knowledge of interconnected systems, and an understanding of all standard and emergency work flow, contingency operations, and infrastructure design.

System Solutions

Simplex® TrueCom^™ Platform
This SimplexGrinnell comprehensive Sound & Communications solution comprises video signal distribution controllers, intercoms, microphones, telephones, loud speakers, voice mail communication servers, and computer hardware and software for controlling the system.

Iwatsu Relationship
Iwatsu Electric is a multinational organization and innovation leader in the telephone industry.  Iwatsu America, its U.S. based subsidiary, focuses on developing and manufacturing private telecom systems designed specifically for North America. In the mid-1990s Simplex and Iwatsu collaborated on the development of an integrated telephone platform designed to interact seamlessly with the Simplex® 5100 Systems Family. The key objectives were to expand both user controls and wiring distances beyond the traditional on-premises limitations, provide redundant operations for Emergency Communications, and bridge to what is now known as a unified communications platform. Since then, SimplexGrinnell and Iwatsu have expanded their solutions to Emergency Communications Systems for multi-building enterprises, including airports and government campuses. Today, SimplexGrinnell continues to work with Iwatsu to promote new capabilities and technologies that allow our customers to take full advantage of the latest communications platforms.

Talk-A-Phone Relationship
Talk-A-Phone is a premier provider of hands-free ADA compliant emergency phones for both indoor and outdoor applications. In the mid-1990s Simplex and Talk-A-Phone collaborated on integrating Emergency phones with the Simplex® TrueCom^™ Platform.  As the need for personal safety measures continues to grow, SimplexGrinnell and Talk-A-Phone continue to work together to create Emergency Communications solutions.