With a wider range of functionality having been applied in recent years, emergency communications systems are progressively becoming more sophisticated and in higher demand by end users. Fire alarm dealers, systems integrators, and engineered systems distributors (ESDs) alike must consider a wide range of factors in order to design the right mass notification or emergency communications system for these end users.
The first and simplest factor to consider is the terminology. Is there a difference between mass notification and emergency communications? According to Shawn Mullen, president and chief energy officer at Protex Central, Hastings, Neb., the choice of terminology depends primarily on the type of customer.