Barix Teams with SchoolView Technologies and Calypso Control Systems

PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 02, 2008 – Barix AG, a pioneer in IP-based audio, intercom, control, and monitoring, today announced that its Exstreamer 100 Audio over IP decoding devices are being used for school-wide voice, music, and bell-tone distribution across two schools in the Franklin Independent School District (ISD) in Franklin, Texas.  The tightly integrated solution provides administrators and teachers with an easy-to-use control system that interfaces with nearly every audio and video device in each school.  

The CampusSV system from SchoolView Technologies, LLC, of Plano, Texas is at the heart of the solution, providing a single integrated platform with a simple GUI for district administrators to distribute audio, video and control signals throughout the schools.  The Barix Exstreamer 100 Audio over IP devices integrate with CampusSV for audio distribution, including bells, music, live PA announcements, and automated school-wide alerts.  Audio amplifiers from Calypso Control Systems of Hudson, Wisconsin, communicate with the Barix devices to playback audio over speaker sets in classrooms, common areas, or the entire school.  All audio is delivered over a 3-Gigabit IP network backbone and can be scheduled and automated over the CampusSV system.  

“Franklin Independent School District’s goal is to put tomorrow’s technology in the hands of our students and staff today, and to be a leader in the area of instructional technology,” said Bret Lowry, Superintendent of Franklin Independent School District.  

The SchoolView Technologies CampusSV platform also enables live and recorded video delivery from the central media headend to any number of classrooms using the same 3-Gigabit data network backbone.  In the classroom, CampusSV tightly integrates with Calypso interface equipment for control of multimedia and presentation devices from the teacher’s computer, including projectors and DVD players.  Calypso Control Systems also provides an integrated wall-mount button panel, allowing teachers to control the same devices from the front of the class.

“We were actively seeking technology that would put us at least 10 years ahead of the technology curve while building the new and renovated schools,” said Joe Squiers, Director of Instructional Technology at Franklin ISD.  “The goal was to standardize on a system that would require few changes beyond adding an occasional piece, without having to completely overhaul the system backbone.  We truly believe this is the way of the future.”  

The complete system was designed by consultant Elert and Associates for Franklin High School and Franklin Elementary School and will be replicated in the district’s renovated middle school, scheduled to open for the beginning of the 2008-09 school year.  Squiers added that the Barix and SchoolView interoperability opens the door to scheduled emergency drills and add pre-recorded messages in the event of security incidents.  

Visit the Barix website at www.barix.com or www.ip-audio.info, or call 866-815-0866 for more information.