Siemens updates mass notification system

MUNICH, Germany—Siemens recently released the next generation of its Desigo Mass Notification System as part of the Building Technologies Division’s overall Intelligent Infrastructure Solution for the market.

This multi-layered alerting system can be used in a single building or across a large campus to communicate a series of emergency and non-emergency messages via visual, audio, and digital notifications. Using a combination of message delivery methods that includes visual warnings, audible alerts, and text messages ensures that the right message reaches the right people, no matter where they are.

“The latest system modifications let operators move swiftly and efficiently when an important message needs to be communicated to people,” explained Brad Haeberle, vice president at Siemens’ Building Technologies Division. “The Desigo Mass Notification uses multiple communication methods to ensure your message reaches its intended audience, in a way that it is received, understood, and acted upon. It is part of an intelligent infrastructure for the future of buildings.”

Product updates to the Desigo Mass Notification System include enhanced alarm buttons that allow operators to more easily trigger incidents manually (such as for gas leaks, floods, tornadoes, etc.); a new telephone interface that connects to the speaker and strobe functions of installed emergency call stations; and ground floor graphics that facilitate faster notifications to installed devices such as LED signs, loudspeakers, TV monitors, etc.

Other enhancements support the common alert protocol (CAP), which receives weather feeds and forwards onsite detected events to other software applications. Its open architecture supports current enhanced functionality as well as future technology of text-to-speech engines, bulk service messaging, dynamic signage and other services from recognized domain experts. This eliminates costly manual processes while improving communication efficiency, response time, and situational awareness.

First released in 2014, the communication system can be used as a standalone mass notification system or in combination with fire safety systems, video monitoring, access control, intrusion detection, building automation, and lighting to build the foundation of a smarter building and an intelligent infrastructure. The Desigo Mass Notification System is a module of Siemens’ Desigo CC building management station, which is the physical foundation of Siemens’ Intelligent Infrastructure Solution.

Desigo is a trademark of Siemens and/or its affiliates in some countries.

The Siemens Building Technologies Division (Buffalo Grove, Ill.) is the North American market leader for safe and secure, energy-efficient and environment-friendly buildings and infrastructures. As a technology partner, service provider, system integrator and product vendor, Building Technologies has offerings for fire protection, life safety and security as well as building automation, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and energy management.

To learn more about the Siemens Building Technologies Division, visit www.usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies.

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. With approximately 348,000 employees in more than 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $86.2 billion in fiscal 2015. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $22.4 billion, including $5.5 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.