FreePBX, MS Lync/OCS Tannoy/broadcast possible?

[Alis_Klar]

Hi All,

Does anyone know of a way of implementing an IP based voice broadcast PTT that would function like an old fashioned Tannoy system. Ideally this would be integrated into Microsoft Lync or FreePBX.

If there is a product which does this out of the box we would consider it over FreePBX and OCS. No external trunk lines or handsets are required yet but we may be asked for this in the future hence preference for FreePBX and Lync. Have just found this product but it looks pricey Link

We would like the receptionist to be able to ring classes and be able to pop-up messages that the teacher couldn't ignore easily.

I have used Netsupport Notify before which worked well but the school want voice and possibly an option to add handsets.

[Alis_Klar]

Bump!

[plexer]

You could use something like this: CyberData VoIP Ceiling Speaker (10844)

To receive the pages from reception via voip or some telephone handsets may have a page function built in.

Ben

[januttall]

Some PC Voip Software allows auto answering so you could plug the pc audio out into some sort of speaker. just a messy way round i know.

[Geoff]

I think you can DIY this with FreePBX. You basically want some extensions setup that go to Phones/Computers/etc which are setup to Auto Answer (or know what paging is) and Speaker Phone on (or connected up to some speakers for a Computer). You can certainly do this with an old laptop running Xlite3 for example. If you want more complex setups then you could make ringgroups for the extensions, so you could call groups of rooms together. From the reception side you just need to setup the paging/intercomm stuff in freepbx.


Paging and Intercom | FreePBX

[Alis_Klar]

Thanks for all answers. in the VoIP world is there the concept of paging different to auto answer. Ideally I would like the receptionist to be able make normal phonecalls as well as paging in case no-one is there. But if this adds a whole load more to the cost and complexity I am willing to sacrifice that feature and just use autoanswer as a poor mans paging.

I found this link using a Snom 300 SIP handset and a separate speaker. Would there be an even cheaper way to do this? Is there not a cheap USB handset that uses a PC based client?