SmartBridge is specifically designed to support analogue telecare equipment over the digital network – and overcome the key issues found with many of the analogue to digital converters currently on the market.
An analogue to digital converter without compromise, SmartBridge has been developed for housing providers as they prepare for the upcoming analogue switch-off. It offers a robust interim solution, preserving the full functionality of your telecare services. This means you can continue to provide effective emergency responses to keep your customers safe, whilst deciding how to upgrade to digital.
Unlike many other analogue to digital converters, SmartBridge enables in-bound calls as well as out-bound calls, a crucial element of a comprehensive telecare service. Furthermore, SmartBridge overcomes the critical limitations offed by current analogue to digital converters available:
– It is not limited to a single analogue protocol, so can work with a wide range of telecare devices, covering a full housing portfolio.
– It supports extended telecare peripherals, enabling operators to see the device type that raised the alarm, such as a fall detector, and even supports location codes.
– It avoids significant delays through supporting call cataloguing, which means more than one alarm event can be raised to the monitoring centre.
– It also provides peace of mind, with essential battery back-up covering all equipment including the router.
A smarter analogue to digital converter
The countdown to the digital phone switchover is well underway. Compatibility issues between analogue telecare equipment and the new digital network are already putting people at risk, with a rise in first time call failures delaying emergency responses.
Housing providers are faced with the challenges of a full-scale digital upgrade in a short space of time. This can make analogue to digital converters an attractive option. These translate analogue signals into a format the digital network understands, offering a way to extend the life of your telecare equipment while safeguarding your services.
Limitations in analogue to digital converters
Many models on the market have limited capabilities, however. In particular, they can only deal with out-bound calls, where the alarm call is sent from the equipment to the monitoring centre. The call will be connected but the monitoring centre is unable to ring back as needed (known as ‘in-bound calls’).
But in-bound calls are fundamental for the delivery of an effective emergency response.
The importance of in-bound calls
In-bound calling allows operators to dial back into the site to:
– provide quick access for emergency services via the door entry system (for example, the fire brigade or paramedics)
– contact staff who may be involved with the emergency response
– speak to the resident to provide ongoing support and updates on the situation.
In older systems, this is also how operators manage in-call controls, such as toggling two-way speech or adjusting volume, so both parties can clearly hear what’s being said.
Basic converters lack these vital in-bound call capabilities, or have limitations such as not being able to transfer a call, and can therefore only support a partial telecare service.
SmartBridge has been developed as a smarter, safer solution, ensuring you retain 100% of your service functionality.
How SmartBridge works
SmartBridge has been cleverly designed to incorporate three devices, which are easily installed and connected to your existing hardwired telecare control equipment, providing a seamless service.
1. Analogue telephone adapter (ATA)
This receives the telecare call and converts the analogue signals into a format that can travel over the digital network. This means the alarm call message can be sent without the risk the information will be compromised or corrupted. The converted message is routed via the Appello Cloud environment, which is able to send it on to the monitoring centre in the right format so the call will be accepted and dealt with.
2. Router with a back-up SIM
The SIM card acts as a back-up option in the event of any broadband downtime, ensuring service continuity.
3. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
Another important failsafe, providing reassurance that your telecare services will not be affected by a power outage.
Safe, reliable telecare services during the digital switch and beyond
Iain Hockings, Head of Marketing at Appello said: “We strongly believe an end to end digital service provides the greatest benefits for housing providers and their customers. But we also recognise the role converters can play while preparing for a digital upgrade – particularly as we get closer to the analogue switch-off in 2025.
Many analogue to digital converters have serious limitations, though. We wanted to offer housing providers an alternative that meets the specific demands of telecare during this analogue to digital transition period. SmartBridge is a robust interim solution, so you can feel confident you’re continuing to provide safe, reliable telecare services for your customers.”
To find out more about SmartBridge and how this can support your move to digital telecare, please contact us at business@appello.co.uk