VoIP Public Address System Now Supported in Xorcom Asterisk®-Based IP-PBX Appliances

New Rapid PA™ add-on provides Public Address (PA) functionality in Xorcom’s Astribank line of business telephony solutions

September 11, 2008 – Teradyon, Israel – Xorcom, a privately-held manufacturer of telephony hardware solutions based on Asterisk® open-source software, announced today that it has developed Rapid PA™, a new add-on that interfaces with any Xorcom Astribank™ FXS port to provide public address functionality. The small stand-alone unit is activated by simply dialing the port’s extension number.

Xorcom’s Astribank line of business telephony solutions includes complete IP-PBX systems for SOHO, SMB and enterprise installations, as well as USB-connected channel banks. Each Instant PA unit is equipped with 2 RJ11 ports. The ‘PBX’ port connects directly to an Astribank FXS port and the ‘PA’ connection connects to the PA ‘line in’ (‘audio in’) port. The PA device itself can be anything from a standard personal computer speaker with an internal amplifier to an industrial-strength amplifying system.

Rapid PA does not need a power supply – it uses the Astribank FXS feed for its operation. A LED (Light Emitting Diode) indicates “line active” status, simplifying installation and testing. When a call is placed to the FXS port extension to which the Instant PA is connected, the Instant PA immediately “answers the call” (i.e., goes to “off hook” position) and the caller can place his/her call through the IP system. The origin of the PA message is not important; it can be an analog phone, an IP phone, a call from an incoming line or even from a soft phone overseas. The PA system is automatically disconnected when the call terminates.

The small size and simple installation of the Rapid PA unit makes it easy to install multiple local PA amplifiers in different locations. Even a low cost PX loudspeaker (with built-in amplifier) can be used as a small PA system. Multiple Rapid PA devices can be connected to multiple FXS ports and loudspeakers to provide multi-zone support.

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