Omnilert Expands Emergency Notification with e2Campus

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 07/21/08

Omnilert has added scrolling LED signs to its mechanisms available for emergency notification through its e2Campus network. These LED displays are powered by their network connection using standard Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology. The display hardware is sold by Inova Solutions.

"LED signs are notifications you can't ignore," said Gerry Gorman, Inova vice president. "You don't need to sign up or subscribe to anything to read it. They communicate emergency information in areas of high noise with crisp clear messages. They are also considered a green technology as they use less than 12 watts of power and provide a valuable service as network clocks when there are no informational or emergency messages to display."

The OnAlert PoE LED plugs directly into a standard Ethernet jack to obtain messaging, time, and power from a single network connection. No AC outlets are needed. The system can support redundant power via an uninterruptible power supply in the communication room. Alerts can be sent to the displays from e2Campus via Inova's Emergency e-mail Interface (EEI) software. The price of the LED display is $1,495.

In the event of a broad communication, the displays work in conjunction with e2Campus' other communication means, including high power speaker arrays, PA systems, alert beacons, Web pages, personal and school e-mail accounts, RSS readers, home/office phones, and cell phones.