Audio Market Sectors by Industry
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Commercial Audio Market Sectors
Sound systems and commercial audio applications are used extensively across the various industry and market sectors. Most audio market sectors employ common audio ‘applications’ such as general purpose broadcast and Public Address (Tannoy) for mass notification. Background Music (BGM) is used extensively, often integrated within marketing strategy in retail and leisure markets (for example, digital audio signage). Intercom and Access Control is another hugely popular audio application. Large public settings and venues such as airports and sports stadia use audio to inform, control, manage and evacuate utilising specialist audio design and product installation to meet fire and evacuation regulations.
Commercial VoIP & AoIP
IP telephony and Voice over IP (VoIP) has seen widespread adoption, replacing premise based PBX analogue telephony for most commercial organisations and market sectors. Whilst Audio over IP (AoIP) shares similar functionality and capability proposition improvements with VoIP, the commercial AoIP / IP audio market has not matured at the same pace as the IP telephony market. We believe this is largely due to the maturity of the entrenched traditional analogue audio market – having a vast product range availability with established sales, design and support channels. ‘Cost’ has also somewhat restricted IP audio uptake. R&D / development and production costs have raised comparative unit, device and speaker costs.
More recently though, we have seen much stronger demand for commercial IP audio. More manufacturers have entered the AoIP / IP audio market – improved interoperability and wider product portfolio’s providing more choice across the various market sectors. This demand is largely led by new and improved audio applications, features and capability that IP audio technology can deliver (and not possible with traditional audio).
Industrial Audio Sector
Many industrial market sectors employ sound systems in support of communications (PA / Tannoy), background music (BGM) and bespoke audio applications.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Background Music (BGM) & Radio
- Scheduled Audio Playback (eg. shift changes / breaks)
- Security & CCTV ‘talkback’
- IP Telephony / SIP and IP Intercom
- Bespoke Audio Applications (eg. process alarms)
Factory Audio Sector
A special mention to ‘Factory Tannoy Systems’. The factory audio market sector, including production and manufacturing facilities, utilise and depend on audio and factory tannoy systems to provide primary workforce instruction and communication.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Mass Notification
- Background Music (BGM) & Radio
- Scheduled Audio Playback (eg. shift changes / breaks)
- Bespoke Audio Applications (eg. process alarms)
Retail & Consumer Audio
Shops, DIY stores, retail parks and large shopping centres, most retail business settings employ an announcement audio solution to inform, update, advise and provide information to their customers (eg. advertisements). Background Music (BGM) is used extensively within retail settings to improve shopper experience and align to business branding.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Staff & Shopper Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Background Music (BGM, curated music service)
- Digital Audio Signage
- Scheduled Messages (eg. security, spot advertisements)
Offices & Commercial Audio
Offices and similar commercial & local authority buildings and facilities use audio systems to provide mass notification. Commonly, voice announcements are used for information and staff calling. Scheduled and event driven audio message playback (eg. lockdown, security) is also a regular requirement within offices & commercial settings.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Scheduled & Events Messages (eg. lockdown & security)
- IP Telephony / SIP and IP Intercom
- Voice Alarm (VA) and Voice Evacuation
Sports & Leisure Audio
Sports stadia, venues and smaller leisure centre facilities use audio to provide mass notification – public announcements (PA) as well as co-ordination of staff and competitors during events. Background music (BGM) is also used extensively. Voice Alarm (VA) is commonly used with fire and evacuation control systems.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Background Music (BGM)
- Scheduled Messages (eg. security, events, scheduling)
- Voice Alarm (VA) and Voice Evacuation
Schools & Education Audio
Schools and education settings use audio and sound systems to provide effective communications to staff and students. Audio applications such as ‘lockdown’ and audio message playout (demand and scheduled) are used strategically within wider control and security policy processes.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Staff / Student Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- ‘Lockdown’ notification and control
- Background Music (BGM)
- Audio message playout (eg. incident, alarms)
Hotels & Hospitality Audio
Background Music (BGM) is synonymous with hospitality. Hotels, Bars and Restaurants all use BGM as part of the expected mood and ambiance setting. Mass notification (live and scheduled announcements) is also used extensively for notification of events, incidents and security.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Background Music (BGM)
- Staff & Guest Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Scheduled Messages (eg. security, incident, scheduling)
- Voice Alarm (VA) and Voice Evacuation
NHS & Healthcare Audio
Audio systems are used in healthcare settings to help co-ordinate staff activities (eg. in an A&E ED department). Sound systems are also used for public / patient information and instruction (eg. patient calling).
Typical Audio Applications:
- Staff Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Emergency Department (ED) co-ordination
- Public / Patient ‘call’ integration
- Audio message playout (eg. incident, smoking deterrent)
Rescue & Military Audio
Rescue and military settings employ audio in a number of ways to provide mass communication. Military bases use audio broadcast across huge areas, many buildings and 100’s or even 1000’s of speakers.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Public Address (PA) / Tannoy (mass notification)
- Scheduled Messages (eg. security, incident, scheduling)
- Bespoke – crash alarm, emergency state messages
Transport & Logistics Audio
Logistics and warehousing facilities often employ audio systems to enable rapid real time communication with the workforce (cover the ground over what are sometimes ‘huge’ volume spaces). Background music and radio playout is also very popular, particularly in concentrated workforce areas such as goods packing and loading areas.
Typical Audio Applications:
- Staff Public Address (PA) / Tannoy / Paging
- Background Music (BGM) and Radio
- Scheduled & Events Messages (security, incident)
- CCTV integration / Talkback
Audio Market Sectors
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