We explore the role analogue to digital converters can play in your digital telecare upgrade plans and the key considerations when looking for the right solution.
Are analogue to digital converters the answer as you look for the best way to transition to digital?
At our recent webinar, we delved into the benefits and limitations of analogue to digital converters.
We’ve put together our top ten FAQs based on this, providing all the facts so you can decide if an analogue to digital converter is suitable for your organisation.
- What is an analogue to digital converter?
- Are analogue to digital converters a suitable alternative to a full digital upgrade?
- Can A2D converters solve compatibility problems causing first time call failures?
- What are the limitations of using analogue to digital converters?
- Why is it vital your analogue to digital converter can handle inbound calling?
- Why must your analogue to digital converter support call cataloguing?
- Why should you make sure your analogue to digital converter supports multiple protocols?
- Are analogue to digital converters a cost-effective solution?
- Are analogue to digital converters future-proof and suitable for your long-term digital strategy?
- What should you ask your supplier when choosing an analogue to digital converter?
The Top 10 Analogue To Digital Converters FAQs
1. What is an analogue to digital converter?
Analogue to digital (A2D) converters translate signals sent by analogue telecare devices into a format that can be recognised by the digital network.
They are straightforward to install and a cost-effective way to extend the life of your existing equipment. This makes them an attractive option for organisations needing to tackle the immediate risk of telecare call failures.
2. Are analogue to digital converters a suitable alternative to a full digital upgrade?
There are a number of reasons why a full digital upgrade is the most robust and future-proof solution. But, as we get closer to the digital phone switchover deadline, the top priority must be to preserve the safety and reliability of vital telecare services.
A full upgrade puts you in a much stronger position. If this isn't achievable, an A2D converter can be a useful short-term alternative.
Unfortunately, there's still a long way to go within the industry to complete the migration from analogue to digital technology, with 23,000 group schemes yet to make the switch. The majority of ARCs are also yet to upgrade, which is preventing some organisations from going fully end-to-end digital.
In the meantime, analogue and digital compatibility problems are putting people at risk. It’s therefore crucial to address these issues, ideally with a full digital upgrade or by sourcing an A2D converter suitable for telecare if you need an interim solution.
3. Can A2D converters solve compatibility problems causing first time call failures?
First time call failures are a serious safety issue for the industry. These occur when a telecare alarm call is unable to connect to the monitoring centre on the first attempt due to compatibility issues between analogue telecare equipment and the new digital network. There's been a worrying rise in these failures: current figures show an average 20% first time call failure rate during 2024.
Analogue to digital converters can help resolve compatibility problems causing first time call failures. While they are not a complete solution, they can be a useful tool to help bridge the gap of your digital transition.
4. What are the limitations of using analogue to digital converters?
A2D converters are only suitable in the short-term and are not future proof. Digital has many clear benefits, including delivering a faster and more reliable service, as well as improved functionality for your staff and customers.
Importantly, many basic converters only provide a partial telecare service as they:
- are unable to deal with inbound calls
- do not support call cataloguing
- are only able to support a single protocol
If you're considering an A2D converter, it's therefore crucial to make sure this can do everything you need it to.
5. Why is it vital for your analogue to digital converter to support inbound calling?
Many basic converters can only deal with outbound calling, when the call is sent from the equipment to the monitoring centre.
The loss of analogue phone lines means they don’t have the capability to provide a direct route back into the telecare device and can’t relay tones back into the equipment.
The monitoring centre is therefore unable to place an inbound call back to the telecare device and control this when needed.
But inbound calls and in-call controls are critical for a fully functioning telecare service:- During an emergency situation the operator needs to dial into the site to provide access for emergency services via the door entry system.
- In the event of a fire, dialling back into the system is the only way to provide the fire brigade with quick access without them forcing entry.
- Operators may need to call other parts of the property to speak to residents or staff supporting in resolving the emergency.
- The operator also needs to call the resident back to continue to provide support and update them on the emergency response.
- For older systems, the operator needs to toggle two-way speech or adjust the volume so both parties can hear what's being said clearly.
These functions are only possible with inbound calling. An effective analogue to digital converter must enable BOTH inbound and outbound calls.
6. Why must your analogue to digital converter support call cataloguing?
In an emergency, multiple telecare alarms may be sent to the monitoring centre at once. Call cataloguing ensures these can all be received by an operator, holding them in a queue so they can be dealt with in turn.
If call cataloguing is not supported, the telecare device will shut down the call and redial, causing significant delays.
A fully digital system handles multiple calls seamlessly. But call cataloguing is an essential feature if you’re still using analogue equipment.
7. Why must your analogue to digital converter support multiple protocols?
Many housing providers have a wide range of telecare assets, covering multiple manufacturers and models. These may use one of several protocols (i.e. the ‘language’ used to communicate).
However, many analogue to digital converters are limited to a single protocol and will only work with those telecare devices using that protocol. It's therefore important to source an A2D converter that can handle a portfolio of peripherals using multiple protocols.
8. Are analogue to digital converters a cost-effective solution?
An average full upgrade to digital is £40,000. A2D converters have a much lower price point, reflecting the fact they don't offer all the benefits of a complete upgrade. But they can be a cost-effective stepping stone as you begin your digital transition.
9. Are analogue to digital converters future-proof and suitable for your long-term digital strategy?
It's tempting to view A2D converters as the answer to the digital switchover. But the TSA cautions against relying on these as a long-term solution.
A fully digital system has many advantages, offering faster connection speeds as well as greater reliability and functionality. This improves the safety, security and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals.
Maintaining older analogue technology will become increasingly difficult and costly as this becomes obsolete. Digital equipment is much more straightforward to update and integrate with other systems for a future-proof telecare service .
10. What should you ask your supplier when choosing an analogue to digital converter?
If you opt to use an A2D converter in the short-term, it’s vital to ensure this will provide a complete telecare service. Confirm with your supplier it can:
- support inbound and outbound calling
- support call cataloguing
- work with multiple protocols
Simplifying the digital switchover with SmartBridge
Our goal at Appello is to provide all the facts on the digital phone switchover, so you can make decisions with confidence.
Our new analogue to digital converter, SmartBridge, is uniquely designed to preserve the full functionality of telecare services and give you more flexibility as you begin your digital transition.
SmartBridge overcomes the critical limitations of other converters to ensure a safe, effective and fast emergency response. It's a cost-effective option – and we refund your SmartBridge outlay if you begin your full digital upgrade with us.
If you're wondering whether analogue to digital converters can be part of your digital transition, talk to us to find out more about SmartBridge.
You can find more details on the issue of first time call failure rates in our latest report, which is available to download now
