All,

Barix is proud to announce the launch of the BarixAG YouTube channel.

We are currently producing a series of instructional and marketing videos for our IP Audio devices and also the Barionet product family. The first video, a basic introduction to the Exstreamer, has been released and posted !

Here is the link to our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BarixAG

.. and here is the direct link to the Video: Barix Audio over IP Video

More videos will follow soon and we will inform you via this blog.

If you have any suggestions, comments etc, please let us know via our contact form on the website or send us an email to “info” at barix.com – we are happy to learn from you what we do good and what we can do even better !

Johannes

Barix IP solution supports multi-language communications for security, entertainment and public address

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, September 14, 2011 — Barix Audio over IP solutions are now live at the Holiday Inn Kandooma Resort in the Maldives Islands, distributing high-quality, multi-lingual voice and music to its guests in nine zones. The system, installed by local systems integration firm EIT Private Limited, delivers audio to multiple points, creating a unified, resort-wide notification and entertainment system.

The Kandooma Resort is a full-service, 160-room resort located on Kandooma Island on the South Male Atoll in the Maldives Islands, renowned for its world-class diving and surfing. Besides its beautiful, oceanside setting, the Kandooma Resort is noted for its advanced technology, providing free Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, and flat-screen TVs with satellite programming to guests.

Barix met resort requirements for high performance, reliable presence and security applications over the IP network at a reasonable cost. Mohammed Afzal, director of EIT Private Limited, stressed the importance of the system’s scalable topology.

“Barix provides a multi-purpose PA system that is easily expandable to accommodate future growth at the resort, which was very important,” said Mohammed Afzal, director of EIT Private Limited. “The system streams in-house music, live paging and recorded messages. It also supports multi-language playback, which is helpful in emergency situations. No other company serving our market could provide a solution that met the resort’s requirements.”

Afzal added that Barix devices are open and easy to customize. “Barix gives us the flexibility to customize intercom and other applications with the existing hardware,” said Afzal. “The programming language is easy to understand and helpful to companies that want to build custom solutions for their customers.”

The complete solution includes a Barix Annuncicom PS16 Paging Station at the core. The PS16 is a multifunction, standalone IP intercom, paging and PA master station that connects to multiple end devices without the need for PCs or server software.

Resort staff can deliver live pages and announcements from the PS16 to Barix Exstreamer 100 IP audio decoders in nine zones with a single press of the button, targeting messages to specific zones or buildings; or initiating “all-call” announcements.

EIT Private Limited also installed one Barix Annuncicom 100 two-way audio device to override the network-wide audio stream in emergency situations. The Annuncicom is responsible for streaming pre-recorded security announcements to the Exstreamers in all zones. Nine amplifiers and 200 loudspeakers support playout across the grounds.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, September 6, 2011 — Barix announces a major in-store media win that encompasses the rollout of an IP audio system to 300 retail stores in Italy to enhance the shopper experience.

Penny Market Italy, a leading discount chain in Italy, is delivering music, advertisements and unique national-scale promotions to all 300 stores through “Penny FM,” a live audio program stream that acts as a branded retail radio station. Barix Audio over IP solutions support reliable distribution of the stream to the individual stores, which is broadcast in real time.

“Penny FM adds a touch of personality to the shopping experience through dedicated programs tailored to the customer,” said Mirko De Dominicis, Network and Security Manager, Penny Market Italy. “The Barix IP audio solution improves the image of our stores and makes a positive impact on staff and customers. Penny FM provides the right balance of entertainment and information, while increasing point-of-purchase sales and generating new revenue streams through advertising.”

Founded in 1994, Penny Market Italy is a joint venture between the REWE Group in Germany and the Italian retail chain Esselung. Today, Penny Market has 300 stores in 10 regions, 2,400 employees and nearly one billion euros in annual sales. In 2006, REWE Group Austria deployed a Barix in-store media system to nearly 2,000 supermarkets (MERKUR and BILLA) and perfume stores (BIPA).

The Barix solution reliably delivers superior audio quality to all stores without monopolizing network bandwidth. Penny Market Italy uses three Barix Instreamer encoders and leased lines to send audio streams to a server farm. Barix Barionet IP control devices build unicast streams for each store at the server farm and deliver the streams over an MPLS network. The Barix Replicator application, running on the Barionets, delivers main and backup streams to Barix Exstreamer IP decoders at the stores. The Exstreamers decode the streams for playout over their corresponding loudspeakers.

“This Barix IP Audio solution offers significant savings for Penny Market Italy as it offers reliable, direct connectivity through its existing IP network infrastructure,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Network bandwidth costs are minimized, and the lack of media server and PC infrastructure requirements nearly eliminates maintenance.”

Penny Market Italy also uses the Barix Barimon monitoring tool to monitor all Barix devices through a dedicated server. Operators can update device configurations on the fly over the same server.

“The Barix experience has been very positive, providing Penny Market Italy with a new winning technology model to support the retail environment, which is in constant evolution,” added De Dominicis.

Built-in amplifier, local input adds value for businesses broadcasting “retail radio” and multi-room distribution applications

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, August 29, 2011 — Barix AG comes to IBC 2011 (September 9-13, RAI Exhibition Centre, Amsterdam, Booth #3A48) with its next-generation Exstreamer IP Audio device for multipoint networks.

The Exstreamer 205 IP makes retail and hospitality applications dramatically simple. Each room or location requires a single Exstreamer 205, a network connection and power outlet, two common high-quality audio speakers and minimal wiring.

The device delivers a wealth of features to simplify infrastructure and reduce deployment costs for in-store media systems. Its built-in 2×25 watt, power-efficient class-D amplifier minimizes equipment needs at the end point, lowering costs while retaining superior audio quality. Businesses can distribute branded retail radio broadcasts, customized “store and play” programs, or simple background music streams to as many locations as the network can support, without the need for separate amplifiers.

The Exstreamer 205 is also the first Barix IP audio device to add a local, line-level stereo input. This allows direct connection of an in-zone audio source to the device for local playout. This is ideal where local, non-streaming content is available, whether from a guest’s iPod or a digital signage system.

“Exstreamer customers have requested an audio input to feed local content into the device, using its powerful, integrated high-quality amplifier,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix. “This gives our customers more options for where to use Exstreamer products. Hotel and spa treatment rooms in larger hospitality systems are perfect examples.”

Businesses operating digital signage systems can also benefit from adding the Exstreamer 205 to out-of-home networks. Operators can establish a general background stream for the entire network, with the flexibility to interrupt the stream and play out local content at any location. Offline content protection is enhanced via a MicroSD slot, which enables local playout of (encrypted) content directly from the device while minimizing opportunities for theft or modification.

The Exstreamer 205 also offers priority ports for connection into a master paging system, such as the Barix Annuncicom PS16. This allows a facility manager, security guard or other operator to break into the network stream to make a page or announcement — also overruling any local audio sources.

Like previous models, the Exstreamer 205 decodes and plays multi-protocol and multi-format audio streams, including MP3, AACplusV2, WMA, PCM, G.711 and EtherSound. Volume and channel selection is controllable via an API through IP or serial port, a built-in IR receiver or the Barix Volume Source Control (VSC) device.

ITvilla implements Barix Barionet devices at the heart of a major automated access control system for efficient traffic management

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, August 2, 2011 — Barix announced today that ITvilla, an automation consulting company in Estonia, has standardized on Barix Barionet IP devices for automated access control at four busy shipping ports in Estonia. The Barionet devices play a key role in solving access, traffic, and network management challenges, integrated within an automated ticket and traffic management system that more efficiently manages traffic flows and entry ticket validation for passengers and vehicles.

The Estonian ports serve as a base for vehicle ships taking passengers to destinations in Estonia on the Baltic Sea and to surrounding countries such as Finland. Traffic volume is significant all year, and is especially high during the summer months. This translated to traffic congestion and long delays for ticket and passenger validation when using the manual entry system at the port and onto the ships.

ITvilla, an Estonian automation consulting and system integration company, was contracted to support the E-Port Project for four passenger ports, with an objective to reduce load times and allow faster access to greater volumes of vehicle traffic.

“The manual validation process for vehicles and passengers prior to driving onto the vessels proved very time-consuming,” said Neeme Takis, CEO of ITvilla. “It was decided that automated entry ticket validation and traffic management of waiting lines would allow for more efficient access. The E-Port Project required an IP controller that could manage configuration data for all types of peripheral hardware, understand all communication protocols, and manage the entry and exit sensor behavior for multiple types of vehicles passing through the port.”

ITvilla chose the Barix Barionet as the automation controller between the periphery devices and the server of the access system. The Barix Barionet provides both the physical and logical interface between the server and the peripheral devices, storing the periphery device configuration and driver software. It also translates the signals and commands between the peripheral devices and the server, offloading the server from device-dependent processing. The Barionet controllers additionally offload the server from simpler tasks such as barrier closure decision-making, which happens after the expected number of vehicles has passed.

“The Barix Barionet controllers are the heart of the project, efficiently meeting all of the E-Port Project’s access and traffic management requirements,” said Neeme Takis, CEO of ITvilla. “The middleware based on Barix controllers features strong network management support, quickly finding and resolving problems with network peripherals, and remotely controls and monitors vehicles and their passengers. This results in vastly improved traffic management and vehicle flow even during peak volume seasons.”

The Barix Barionet controllers are also responsible for logging signals and actions onto an external network server, managing the manual control option for peripheral devices, and sending regular status and immediate action data to an external monitoring system. These controllers provide remote support, and track the status and health of all E-Port Project peripheral devices.

One Barionet controller located in the outdoor ticket terminal device controls the bar code readers, keypad, VFD, buzzer, barrier and numeric displays; and reads vehicle presence and height sensors for one entry lane to the port.

There are a total of 16 Barionet controllers and Barix IO12 extension modules in each port. The controllers are connected via a LAN, including an optical ring for the longest connections. The server is connected to the same LAN. The WLAN extension of the LAN enables control of the loading process from the board of the vessel, using PDA devices.

“The E-port Project is a nice example of the flexible and cost-effective use of the Barix Barionet in infrastructure projects,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “The open Barix approach provides Barix partners with easy integration and utilization of Barix product offerings. Integrators and project managers can quickly and easily build unique solutions for challenging installations. The ease of use, coupled with strong product functionality in remote monitoring and automated access control, enabled ITvilla to easily write a custom application on the Barionet controllers that operates reliably on our standard, cost-effective devices.”

The Barix Barionet is a network-enabled, programmable automation controller for industrial automation and facility management systems. It is pre-loaded with a web configuration and user interface application for monitoring and control of all on-board I/O functions. Custom applications can be developed using the built-in BCL interpreter (Barix Control Language).

The Barionet supports standard interfaces such as SNMP, CGI, HTTP, and Modbus/TCP to access local I/O and program functions. It supports a broad variety of standard protocols such as TCP/IP, SNMP, HTTP, and CGI. It communicates over a standard built-in 10/100 Ethernet port, making the devices ideal for automation and monitoring applications in buildings, industry and IT systems.

All,

the newest family addition to the Barix Audio over IP devices, the Exstreamer 105, is now available !

The new Exstreamer 105 is a sibling to the Exstreamer 100, the well known IP Audio decoder from Barix. Instead of the USB connection, which provides an interface for flash memory to store audio files, the new 105 model is equipped with a MicroSD slot.

Ideal for instore audio applications, the MicroSD can hold backup audio content, for example, and the card does not stick out of the device. For special applications, a “closed” front can be made available which secures the memory in the device.

Please contact your local Barix distributor if you are interested in purchasing the new device. All standard software which runs on the Exstreamer 100 also supports the Exstreamer 105. The device is shipped with the “streaming client” firmware.

Greetings !

Johannes

Balingen Police Department will showcase burglary alarm triggers over the network; Barix IP devices will link an alarm system and the C-MOR video monitoring solution

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, May 11, 2011 — Barix AG today announced its latest in a string of successful integration partnerships with leading software and solutions providers in the security and surveillance market. Barix has now partnered with za-internet GmbH, developer of the C-MOR remote video surveillance solution, to fully integrate Barix Barionet products into the C-MOR solution as universal, IP based I/O interfaces.

At IFSEC (May 16-19, 2011, NEC, Birmingham, England, Hall 4, Stand G155), Barix is planning a unique demonstration that will exhibit how Barix Barionet IP control and monitoring devices will be used in the burglary prevention center showroom of the Balingen Police Department in southern Germany to trigger alarms in C-MOR solutions.

C-MOR, a well-known, affordable remote video surveillance solution (www.c-mor.com) is available as software or as an appliance, targeting residential and commercial security markets. Popular commercial applications include surveillance in retail environments, horse stables, and gas stations.

The Barionet’s versatile I/O establishes communication between C-MOR and external “things” systems such as lights, security systems or motion sensors. Interfacing to sensors (motion sensors or a an alarm output of a security system) and actors such as lights, lock-down equipment and security system trigger inputs is fully supported. This functionality further allows C-MOR to serve as a versatile internet alarming upgrade for a traditional security system, as it can raise alarms over the internet to browser-capable mobile phones, supporting live video feeds of the site in alarm.

The Barionet product family is specially developed for automation and monitoring applications as well as interfacing solutions in buildings, industry and IT systems. Barionet devices provide an ideal link between hardware/hard-wired solutions and the IT world in an era of increased convergence.

In the case of the C-MOR integration, Barionet devices communicate with the surveillance solution via TCP/IP and with sensors and actors via traditional hardware interfaces such as contact closures and serial ports. Implementation with C-MOR is especially simple as the only tool needed is a standard web browser.

The Barionet 50 used in this application is a freely-programmable I/O device server with contact closure inputs, relay outputs and serial ports, so even highly specific and complex interface functions can be implemented. No programming is required for standard applications, and the device supports the most common IP-based standard protocols such as SNMP, web/cgi, Modbus/TCP and ASCII based I/O protocols.

SureView adds Barix Barionet IP control and monitoring solutions to Immix platform after success with Barix Audio over IP integration

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, May 10, 2011 — Barix AG announces that SureView Systems, a commercial security monitoring service provider, has progressed its integration of Barix IP devices to an advanced, second phase.

The first phase began in 2009, when SureView integrated Barix Annuncicom two-way IP audio device support into its Immix platform. The Annuncicom integration allows the monitoring of unlimited remote audio surveillance locations and integration of intercom/help points within the Immix management solution — often consolidated with video surveillance.

SureView has now added support for Barix Barionet IP control, automation and monitoring equipment. The Barionet integration vastly increases I/O and relay interfacing capabilities of the Immix system, enabling SureView customers to easily connect a large number of security devices and functions to the network. Immix users activate controls and functions connected through Barionet devices, such as switching on lights and opening doors, through a simple press of a control button at a remote monitoring station.

The Barionet also enhances remote monitoring operations, allowing Immix users to directly interface motion detectors or building management sensors tied to HVAC, water, temperature, lighting, alarms and other systems for monitoring environmental and security aspects.

“The Barionet integration gives our customers a range of flexible deployment options, solving existing challenges and providing a more integrated, value-added solution to meet new customer requests,” said Craig Evans, director of SureView Systems. “Like the Annuncicom, the Barionet integrates seamlessly into the Immix platform so that the product itself is transparent. The customer simply presses a button to initiate an action, turning features on and off as if working a light switch.”

Evans added that the Barionet integration requires no addition training or expense for Immix customers. “It is exactly the same user-friendly experience,” he said.

The Annuncicom integration continues to prove successful in the professional security marketplace. Evans noted that Corps Security in Glasgow, Scotland, a leading security solutions provider in the UK, is the most recent customer, deploying the integrated remote surveillance solution to more than 50 sites in the UK.

“The success of the Annuncicom integration for improving audio quality at the surveillance point has been an ideal blueprint for how we can extend the partnership, notably through enhanced I/O and relay/sensor capabilities,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “The Barionet will allow Immix users to bring more devices onto the network for control and monitoring purposes. This includes “actor” capabilities such as switching on lights and opening doors, as well as monitoring functions with motion and other sensors for surveillance purposes. The possibilities are boundless.”

The announcement comes as both companies prepare for the IFSEC 2011 professional security show, taking place from May 16-19 at NEC in Birmingham, England. Barix exhibits in Hall 4, Stand 155.

About SureView Systems (www.sureviewsystems.com)
SureView Systems owns, develops, sells and supports the Immix(R) product line. Immix(R) Enterprise and Cloud are video centric software platforms designed to receive alarm events from video, video analytics, access control, automation systems and GPS location aware devices. The products are UL Certified in the USA and BS8418 compliant in Europe.

Sureview Systems UK, Technium 1, Kings Road, Swansea SA1 8PH, UK. Tel. +44 1792 485600
Sureview Systems US, 400 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa, FL 33602, USA. Tel +1 (877) 712 8766

All,

there is a new application firmware out for the Barix IP Audio devices. SIP Client version v01.07 brings a major change intended to make the use of the devices much more easy.
The Web UI, through which the device is configured, now offers “profiles”, to allow easy configuration of different use cases

1) SIP phone
This profile is intended for applications on bidirectional devices, for applications which are similar or identical to a SIP phone. The Barix devices can be used ideally in call stations, help points etc, preconfigured numbers can be called using the contact closure inputs etc.

2) SIP paging endpoint with Background Music support
This profile works on all devices which provide output capability (all Exstreamer and Annuncicom devices) and is typically used for “IP Speaker” application or to drive a paging amplifier.

3) SIP door station
This profile enables typical door station functionality, is able to operate in automatic “half duplex” mode to support simple door intercom panels (Aiphone), and also allows to activate a relay via SIP Info/DTMF to open the door.

4) SIP gateway
An interesting “glueware” application, when this is selected, the device can work as a “SIP to standard Multicast RTP” converter, will serve as an endpoint, and re-broadcast (or multicast) the received audio stream so it can be used with any device which can play audio from a standard RTP stream.

5) SIP based audio monitoring
This mode is typically used for audio surveillance, covert operations, etc. In this mode, the device can establish a call silently to a configured destination if it picks up audio above a certain level.

The SIP application firmware now supports the PS16, the desktop IP paging station from Barix, and on the Annuncicom 155, even the microphone and speaker supervision are supported.

The firmware can be downloaded, as usual, from our website free of charge and devices can be updated via browser.
Johannes

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, March 14, 2011 — Barix AG comes to ISC West 2011 (April 6-8, Sands Convention Center, Las Vegas, Booth 7131) with an emphasis on delivering complete IP paging and public address systems for professional security applications.

The IP audio and control pioneer, having recently announced technical alliances with industry-leading vendors including Milestone Systems, Sureview International and ipConfigure, is gaining attention in the professional security industry for its strength in building reliable, hardware-based IP solutions. At ISC West, the company will showcase its ability to deliver complete IP systems while also showing how new and existing Barix IP devices comprise such solutions.

“Security installers and systems integrators require working systems that are simple to install and pose no risk of operation,” said Johannes G. Rietschel, CEO and Founder of Barix AG. “Barix IP paging and public address solutions offer security professionals trustworthy, system-driven communication solutions.”

Barix IP paging and public address systems are based on various Barix Exstreamer IP audio decoders and Annuncicom two-way IP audio devices. Security professionals can mix and match a variety of devices based on the size and scope of the system, including two new products:

· Exstreamer P5, an amplified IP decoder with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capability that can turn nearly any 8-ohm speaker into an IP speaker
· Annuncicom 155, a ruggedized IP intercom and announcement device built to the EN50155 transportation standard for survival in harsh environments

All Barix Exstreamer and Annuncicom devices offer IP addressability — ideal for targeting messages to specific Barix end point devices and zones in a single or multi-location IP paging or PA system — as well as SIP integration for extending notifications to phones and mobile devices. Annuncicom IP devices add the capability of two-way intercom, allowing security personnel responding to an event to engage with human subjects at a door, access point or other location.

Large scale systems benefit from adding the Annuncicom PS16 Paging Station. The PS16 is a multifunction, standalone IP intercom, paging and PA master station that can connect to multiple Exstreamer and Annuncicom end devices — without the need for PCs or server software. The unit features 16 buttons with individual LED indicators (expandable to 112) for targeted, selected zones or “all-call” communications in larger facilities, parking garages, outdoor lots and other large spaces.

Visitors to the Barix booth can see all the above products, including the new Exstreamer P5 and Annuncicom 155 devices.

Exstreamer P5
The Exstreamer P5 gives integrators a way to install ‘IP Speakers’ without limiting their architectural and environmental options, including retrofits for legacy systems. In addition to its built-in amplifier and PoE capability to simplify deployments, the device enables zoning applications for multi-speaker systems and allows individual local/remote channel selection and volume control. Its ability to operate reliably in high-temperature environments makes the P5 ideal for ceiling speaker systems.

Annuncicom 155
Developed foremost for on-vehicle use in transportation, the Annuncicom 155 can act as a door intercom, PA, emergency announcement system and background music device. Its two-way capability also enables complex monitoring functions during critical situations that allow security personnel to listen in on an event. I/O options include supervised speaker/microphone connections, and the device incorporates a network switch for daisy-chaining Ethernet connections to simplify installations.

All Barix products are inexpensive, low-power devices that are scalable to the growth of the operation offer high reliability through a PC-FREE design with no moving parts; and serve as a flexible platform for integration into virtually and operation requiring audio transport and delivery over IP networks. Barix also offers its programmable BCL standard open to all customers to easily customize applications for specific needs. Local control, audio relay and low-latency streaming are a few examples of custom programs using Barix’ BCL software environment.