Inquiry:Paging and Music playback over horns and deskphones in 3cx

[AnonymousMD]

Hello, we have an inquiry. we are currently working clients with one of their key requirements is the ability to perform paging over external horns, as well as desk phone speakers.

Could you please advise on the following:

1. Hardware Recommendations
   What hardware ( paging horns, amplifiers, adapters) does 3CX recommend for implementing a paging solution that integrates with the 3CX system? Options that are known to work well with 3CX.
2. Paging Setup
   Can paging be configured to simultaneously broadcast over both the external horns and the speakers of desk phones? If so, could you provide documentation or setup guidance for that configuration?
3. Music Broadcasting
   Is there a way to play background music or announcements over both the horns and the phones’ speakers using 3CX? If this is possible, we would appreciate recommendations on how to implement it properly (hardware/software requirements, configuration tips, etc.).

Our internal team will be responsible for setting up, programming, and supporting this solution, so we want to ensure we fully understand the setup and best practices.

 

[RCCradio]

I've installed some of these.
1) We use a Speco PA amplifier like the PMM-60A, It has a specific telephone input, so that when you page it mutes the other inputs, like a CD player. Make sure to get a Amplifier that can handle the wattage of the number of speakers you are installing.
Then just get 72V speakers/horns, these can be installed in parallel.
I've used the Viking RAD-1A with a Cisco ATA191-K9 VoIP Phone adapter.
2)You can set it up 1 of two ways:
1) create a "Paging" ring group and have all the phones you want in the group. Only thing is the more phones in the group the longer it will take to establish the paging call. It also uses 1 call per phone, so we have a 8SC system, and when paging to 8 phones it counts them each as a call.
2) The best way to do this would be to set-up multicast paging. This uses 1 call for all devices, then you set the devices to receive the multicast paging.
3) there's not a away to do this with 3cx you would need a separate music system. Either CD player, or a computer connected to the amp streaming the music.

 

[SweetAction]

Do you want the best setup that works with 3CX or do you want the best setup supported by 3CX?

Cyberdata has a decent setup for this, but is costly and was decently supported by 3CX. Algo works very well and has a reputation for being excellent, but not supported by 3CX.

Input (both music and paging) on any speaker set is fairly easy.

I would (in today's day and age) avoid putting in any 72v speaker setups and an ATA and/or a Bogen and just go full IP/SIP from the get go.

 

[CentrexJ]

Algo sip speakers and horns all the way.

Yes you can customize the 3cx template and multicast music to the phones. Don't. Is not worth the efford and you will have to have a different template for users who want the music and those that don't and if they change their mind you have to adjust the template for each that does.

 

[lancerichards]

The Algo units are very good
Now that multicast is working again without dedicated server, it's working well

 

[RCCradio]

Do you want the best setup that works with 3CX or do you want the best setup supported by 3CX?

Cyberdata has a decent setup for this, but is costly and was decently supported by 3CX. Algo works very well and has a reputation for being excellent, but not supported by 3CX.

Input (both music and paging) on any speaker set is fairly easy.

I would (in today's day and age) avoid putting in any 72v speaker setups and an ATA and/or a Bogen and just go full IP/SIP from the get go.

We still use an amp and 72V speakers due to other analog devices needing to be connected to the speakers, like fire house alerting devices that aren't IP based.

 

[SweetAction]

We still use an amp and 72V speakers due to other analog devices needing to be connected to the speakers, like fire house alerting devices that aren't IP based.

And that's fair and all, my advice is if this is a new deployment, it's a good time to go modern from the start. Of course an existing investment / install there are many ways to get it connected to 3CX, personally I use Bogen hardware with/without an ata to handle these setups, but I also deal with a lot of viking paging systems too.