Valcom Introduces the VIP-895 Series

Next-Level Communication Panels for Enhanced Alerting

Roanoke, Va., (May 13, 2024) – Valcom, a division of Potter Global Technologies and a premier provider of emergency notification solutions, has introduced its newest offerings: the latest Building Communication Panel (VIP-895-S) and the Emergency Communication Panel (VIP-895-E). These cutting-edge systems cater specifically to midsize organizations seeking a streamlined notification solution for everyday and emergency alerts. What sets these panels apart is their ability to deliver robust functionality without the added expense of extra servers.

“Our VIP-895 Series reflects Valcom’s commitment to empowering midsize organizations with efficient, cost-effective solutions,” said Dan Smith, vice president of sales and support solutions at Valcom.
”With these new panels, we’re simplifying communication complexities and streamlining emergency notifications so you can reach every eye and ear within your organization.”

The Building Communication Panel simplifies daily communications in organizations. It allows one-touch sending of recorded audio, live voice messages, and text to LED signs and desktop popups. It supports intercom calls to Valcom IP speakers, scheduling of shift and break tones and emergency notifications with PIN code security access. It is designed for rapid relay of information and emergency alerts to multiple departments or targeted groups.

The Emergency Communication Panel, with its user-friendly interface, enables quick alerts to multiple departments or targeted messages, with secure access through PIN codes. The VIP-895-E streamlines emergency notifications with pre-recorded alerts, is ideal for earthquake-prone areas, and is ShakeAlert® compatible, empowering you to respond swiftly and effectively.

KKR Acquires Our Parent Company, Potter

Our parent organization, Potter, announces the acquisition of the company by leading global investment firm KKR from prior private equity sponsor, Gryphon Investors. This change in ownership groups is an opportunity for Potter to strengthen its business while providing customers with even better technology and customer service.

Potter has built its 125-year reputation by expanding the business and bringing exciting new technology to the industry; all while maintaining the exceptional customer service that has long been their trademark. The company is proud to provide service and support that, while uncommon in the industry, is what customers truly deserve. This is how Potter separates itself from the competition. Potter’s approach to business is to treat its customers with respect, providing them the tools to operate successfully. The acquisition by KKR will provide Potter additional resources to better serve their customers, bring more exciting new technology to the industry, and continue their growth as a global leader in the fire and life safety industry.

https://www.potterglobaltech.com

Improving Emergency Communications Through

Preparation, Delivery, Reach and Time

When emergencies happen in, or outside, your organization is beyond your control. But what you can control is how your organization prepares, responds, and manages an emergency. Join Valcom and key industry experts on Tuesday, June 13 as we discuss the pillars of our emergency notification solutions, prepare, delivery, time, and reach can be successfully implemented to help organizations achieve a Standard Response Protocol to minimizes damage caused by a crisis.

Our panel of industry experts includes Ian Lopez, Director of Security at Cherry Creek School District and Paula Hans, Public Information Officer at Douglas County School District.

Webinar Details:
Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Time: 1:00PM EDT

Valcom Completes Avaya DevConnect Testing

The V-9972 is Now Avaya DevConnect Compliant

Valcom’s Universal Paging Interface, the V-9972, has successfully completed DevConnect Compliance Testing with Avaya Inc.’s Aura® Session Manager R8.1 and Aura® Communication Manager R8.1 and with Avaya Inc.’s IP Office® Server Edition R11.1 and IP Office® 500V2 R11.1 as a SIP Endpoint or SIP Trunk on either platform. Additionally, the V-9972 passed compliance testing with Avaya OneCloud™ Private via SIP to Aura® Session Manager through the Avaya SBC-E R8.1 as a SIP Endpoint.

The V-9972 is a universal paging interface works in almost any situation and gives access to paging systems with FXO, FXS or SIP input access. The V-9972 went through a thorough testing process by Avaya to ensure that it can interoperate with Avaya technology, therefore giving the customer assurance that the V-9972 can easily integrate with and successfully be deployed within their workplace. To learn more about the V-9972 Universal Paging Interface click here. For more information on Valcom products that are Avaya DevConnect compliant click here.

Valcom Joins Potter Electric Group of Businesses

Expands Potter’s Capabilities and Technology with Mass Communication and Notification Systems

December 8th, St. Louis, MO and Roanoke, VA — Potter Electric Signal Company, LLC(external site – opens in new window) (“Potter”) announced today that Valcom, Inc. (“Valcom”), an established leader in voice paging, intercom and mass notification communications systems, has become a new division within Potter. Potter’s strategic investment in Valcom will allow the business to expand its engineering, marketing, and sales initiatives to drive growth in new applications. With this acquisition, Potter now offers a portfolio that covers the broadest range of emergency communication systems used in commercial projects. Valcom’s range of mass notification systems complements Potter’s fire and life safety offering, including their voice evacuation and emergency responder communication systems.

For more than 40 years, Roanoke, VA-based Valcom has been a leader in the development of communications products that relay information rapidly, enabling individuals in various locations throughout an organization to receive relevant instructions in emergency situations. Valcom enterprise communication systems are especially well suited for educational, retail and government facilities. From simple voice paging and intercom to expansive mass notification for emergency situations, Valcom products and software technology are currently used in thousands of businesses, government agencies, school districts, college campuses and transportation hubs around the world. Valcom’s management team will continue to lead the company.

Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Potter is a world-renowned leader in the fire and life safety industry that has been designing and manufacturing fire and security products since 1898. Potter is a portfolio company of middle-market private equity firm Gryphon Investors, which invested in Potter in 2017.

Potter’s CEO, Gerry Connolly, commented, “We have had a longstanding respect for Valcom’s products and culture. With more building owners and facility managers looking to manufacturers to provide better platform and system integration across their mission-critical life safety and communication systems, we see the potential for additional strategic growth given our complementary products and channels. Both companies have invested in IP and cloud-connected platforms, while maintaining intense focus on quality and reliability in the digital era. We are excited to welcome Valcom to the Potter family.”
“Valcom’s long tradition of communication leadership, innovation, and customer care is what has driven us for over 40 years,” said Jack Mason, CEO of Valcom. “We are thrilled to join the Potter organization as our cultures and strategies closely align. Being part of a company with the longevity and reputation of Potter will allow us to drive our business even further.”

Raymond James represented Valcom in the transaction, and Harris Williams advised Potter.

About Potter Electric Signal Company, LLC
Potter(external site – opens in new window) has been a major supplier of key fire and security products since 1898. Since then, Potter’s reputation for quality and service has been the catalyst towards its focus for the design, development, and manufacture of the highest quality and most reliable life safety products available today. Potter is an active participant in the advancement of life safety, fire protection and building codes, globally, in support of the IFC, NFPA, EN and other international agencies. Potter, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a world-renowned leader in various life safety industries including IP-Based Fire Alarm Systems, Voice Evacuation, Sprinkler Monitoring, Corrosion Solutions, and Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES). Potter is a portfolio company of middle-market private equity firm Gryphon Investors.

Media Contact for Potter:
Blake Tyler
Blaket@pottersignal.com

About Valcom
Established in 1977, Valcom, Inc. is a leader in design and manufacture of loudspeaker paging, IP-centric mass notification systems and visual messaging. Valcom provides leading-edge technology, hardware and software solutions to meet the specific needs of various industries including K12, higher education, hospitals, and airports, commercial and industrial facilities.

About Gryphon Investors
Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com(external site – opens in new window)) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. The firm has managed over $7.50 billion of equity investments and capital since 1997. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon’s capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.

Media Contact for Gryphon:
Caroline Luz
cluz@lambert.com
or
Jennifer Hurson
jhurson@lambert.com

Valcom Introduces the VRCPA RingCentral Paging Adapter

Valcom Inc., is pleased to introduce the VRCPA RingCentral Paging Adapter to its portfolio of SIP-enabled paging adapters. The VRCPA is designed to provide access to paging systems from the RingCentral cloud phone system. The VRCPA seamlessly connects RingCentral users to their new or existing public address systems.

Valcom Earthquake Early Warning System Available for Schools, Hospitals, and Businesses

Valcom Inc., has announced their Earthquake Early Warning System (VEEWS). Valcom is now a licensee with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to deliver alerts to K12, higher education, commercial, and industrial facilities. VEEWS is powered by data from the USGSmanaged ShakeAlert® system.

“We are honored to have been selected by the USGS to provide earthquake early warning notifications,” said John Mason, president of Valcom. “As a long-time provider of emergency notifications for events such as lockdowns, evacuations, and tsunamis, it is exciting to add early earthquake warning notifications.”

VEEWS rapidly sends encrypted ShakeAlert®-powered alerts to public address systems, signs, and computer screens throughout a facility that could provide individuals seconds of warning before shaking arrives. These alerts could help save lives and reduce injuries by giving people time to take a protective action like Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Valcom is currently implementing VEEWS to help protect and save lives across California, Oregon, and Washington.

In the coming months, VEEWS will integrate automated actions to accompany earthquake early warnings. Mason states, “We will be seeking client partners to control emergency generators, door openers, production machinery, and other sensitive equipment in concert with alert messages. The benefits of these types of interactions are nearly endless in earthquake situations.” Valcom will also pursue partnerships with transportation and public utility systems.

About Valcom, Inc.
Established in 1977, Valcom, Inc. is a leader in design and manufacture of loudspeaker paging, IP-centric mass notification systems and visual messaging. We provide leading-edge technology, hardware and software solutions to meet the specific needs of various industries including K12, higher education, hospitals, and airports, commercial and industrial facilities.

About USGS ShakeAlert®
ShakeAlert® is an earthquake early warning system that detects significant earthquakes so quickly that alerts can reach many people before shaking arrives. ShakeAlert® is not earthquake prediction, rather a tool that indicates an earthquake has begun and shaking is imminent.