Category: News

Hello Plain Language Protocol

Why Hospitals Are Moving to Plain Language Protocols and How Valcom Delivers It

If you’ve worked in a hospital or even visited one, you’ve probably heard color codes over the public address paging system — “Code Blue,” “Code Red,” “Code Silver.” Helpful? Sometimes. Consistent? Not really. Across the U.S., recommendations from hospital associations and federal emergency associations advocate for replacing color codes with plain-language protocol alerts that everyone—clinicians, staff, patients, and visitors—can immediately understand. Here’s what’s driving the shift and how Valcom helps hospitals eliminate codes and deliver plain language protocols through its communication solutions, making implementation easy.

Why the shift to plain language?

Nurse station at a hospital

Clarity under stress. Federal emergency management encourages the use of plain language to facilitate quick coordination among responders from different organizations. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) defines plain language as avoiding codes and jargon—especially when multiple agencies are involved. While NIMS mandates plain language for mutual-aid scenarios, it strongly encourages its use for day-to-day operations, as it reduces confusion and speeds action. Not every hospital or agency, such as law enforcement, uses a standardized code language. For example, a “Code Silver” in one hospital may mean a missing elderly patient, but in another hospital, it could mean an active shooter threat. Coded language can lead to miscommunication and a delay in response time.

Safety and Standardization

Many hospital associations nationwide have concluded that color codes vary too widely between facilities, which can cause confusion and slow response—particularly for float staff, travelers, and new hires. Several hospital associations from states such as Iowa, Missouri, Texas, New Jersey, and Colorado, among others, promote the adoption of standardized, plain-language (e.g., “Active Shooter—First Floor—Shelter in Place”) to improve transparency and reduce errors. It’s essential to consult with your state’s hospital association to determine if plain language protocol is mandatory or voluntary in your state.
Bottom line: Plain language clearly states what’s happening and where, so people can take action.

So, What Does Plain Language Sound Like?

Many toolkits recommend consistent, descriptive phrasing that names the hazard, location, and action.

For example:

  • “Infant Abduction – Mother/Baby Unit – Secure Exits”
  • “Active Shooter- ED Lobby – Run, Hide, Fight”

How Does Valcom Help Hospitals?

Pair Audio with Visual Notification for Inclusive Communication

  • Valcom Speakers & Horns (ceiling, wall, and clean room speakers as well as vandal-resistant horns) deliver crisp voice paging emergency communication across many areas across a hospital, including patient and visitor areas, lobby, cafeterias, and others.
  • The VIP-LC22 Series is an LCD display with speakers and flashers, equipped with customizable templates that display hazard, location, and action in an easy-to-read format.

Launch the Right Alert Announcements with Valcom’s Site Manager

  • Valcom’s Site Manager delivers tailored solutions to address the diverse needs of healthcare facilities. Valcom helps healthcare delivers plain language protocol by tailoring its products for your specific needs.

Monitor, Manage and Prove Readiness

  • Valcom’s VEMASS solution provides a real-time status of all IP endpoints and software components across multiple locations—ensuring your alerting system is healthy before you need it.

What About Code Blue?

What about those scenarios where a Code Blue is in use? Many states still allow a few legacy color codes while transitioning to plain language equivalents. Valcom recommends that you check your state association’s guidance and align your scripts accordingly. Additionally, understanding how Valcom helps healthcare deliver plain language protocol will ensure accurate and rapid response during such critical events.

Ready to Modernize Your Healthcare Communications?

Valcom helps healthcare systems transition from color codes to clear, plain language protocols without disrupting existing communication infrastructure. Our solutions include paging servers, IP speakers, visual signage, mobile activation, and enterprise monitoring. Please reach out to us to learn more about how Valcom helps healthcare facilities deliver clear, concise protocols effectively and efficiently to meet the specific needs of your facility.

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The ezIP Hybrid Paging System

Upgrade Without the Overhaul: Benefits of a Hybrid Paging System

When it comes to upgrading your paging system, ripping out everything and starting over isn’t always practical. Many organizations still rely on analog paging systems for daily operations and emergency alerts, but also want to move toward more flexible, IP-based communication. That’s where Valcom’s ezIP hybrid paging system shines. Designed to help organizations transition from analog to IP paging at their own pace, ezIP bridges the gap between legacy infrastructure and modern network-based solutions, without sacrificing reliability, coverage, or clarity.

What is a Hybrid Paging System

A hybrid paging system combines traditional analog paging equipment, such as 25V/70V speakers and wiring, with IP-based paging endpoints. Valcom’s ezIP solution allows healthcare facilities, industrial facilities, and smaller organizations to preserve existing infrastructure while adding IP speakers and advanced communication features on the same network.
Whether you’re managing emergency notifications in healthcare or facility-wide announcements in manufacturing, ezIP helps you modernize while staying cost-effective.

Top Benefits of Valcom’s ezIP Hybrid Paging System

Analog Compatibility Saves Time & Money

One of the biggest concerns with VoIP paging upgrades is cost. ezIP is compatible with analog speakers, even those from other manufacturers, so there’s no need to replace your entire system. You can keep what works and upgrade only where needed. This dramatically reduces labor and infrastructure costs.

Flexible & Scalable Paging

With ezIP, you can add IP speakers and expand coverage as your organization grows. New zones, buildings, or areas can be added without running new analog cabling. The system scales easily across campuses, multi-floor facilities, and networked locations.

VoIP & SIP Phone System Integration

Many organizations are moving to VoIP phone systems. ezIP integrates with SIP-based systems, ensuring your paging system works seamlessly with your IP phones and VoIP infrastructure, thereby helping to unify communication across platforms.

Future-Proof with Software Upgradability

ezIP’s IP endpoints are software-upgradable, allowing you to unlock features like two-way talkback, shift tones, and compatibility with third-party mass notification platforms as your needs evolve.


If you’re looking to modernize your paging and emergency communication systems without a complete infrastructure overhaul, then a hybrid paging system with Valcom’s ezIP is your answer. It’s cost-effective, scalable, easy to manage, and designed for real-world compatibility.
Make your next paging upgrade smarter, not harder. With Valcom ezIP, you can future-proof your communications and meet today’s demands with confidence.

Learn More

Modernizing Analog Phone Systems: The Path to IP

Are you still relying on a traditional phone system? You’re not alone. Many organizations, especially those in healthcare or manufacturing, still use legacy phone systems. However, as these systems age, more IT and facility leaders are being asked to explore IP-based phone systems.

Since Alexander Graham Bell first invented the telephone in 1876, the analog phone system was the dominant communication technology. Since the mid-20th century, businesses and institutions began implementing an analog PBX (Private Branch Exchange) system for internal call routing, which remained until digital and IP-based systems began to gain traction in the 1990s and early 2000s. While analog phone systems are simple, secure, and stable, they still present challenges for an organization. These challenges include limited features, rising maintenance costs, obsolescence management concerns, and limited ability to broadcast messages across an organization. Organizations that are considering making the jump from analog to digital often find it overwhelming. When organizations move from analog to a VoIP phone system, they often discover that their existing paging system is no longer compatible. Valcom’s ezIP Product Line addresses smaller organizations’ concerns when transitioning from analog to IP. One of the standout advantages of Valcom’s ezIP solution is its phone-agnostic design. ezIP is engineered to integrate seamlessly with virtually any existing analog or paging infrastructure, regardless of phone type or 3rd-party device.

Whether your facility uses analog telephones, legacy PBX systems, third-party paging speakers, or a mix of all three, ezIP acts as a bridge, not a barrier, to modernization. This flexibility enables organizations to:

  • Preserve existing investments in phones and endpoints
  • Avoid vendor lock-in or unnecessary device replacement
  • Migrate gradually to IP at your own pace

ezIP doesn’t force you to conform to a single vendor ecosystem. Instead, it adapts to your environment, allowing you to modernize at your own pace while supporting interoperability across manufacturers.  Valcom’s ezIP acts as a bridge, not a leap, from analog to IP. It’s designed to lower risk, preserve investments, and offer flexibility while future-proofing communications infrastructure.

Learn More about ezIP

Budgeting for Life Safety

The Risks of Value Investing in Life Safety Budget

Every organization looks for ways to save money and maximize efficiency in budgeting. The concept of “value investing”—aiming to find the most cost-effective solutions—works effectively in many areas. However, when applied to life safety budgets, this approach can pose significant risks that outweigh any initial savings.

The True Cost of Cutting Corners

Life safety systems are designed to protect people and property in emergencies. These systems—such as emergency notification, mass communication, access control, and security infrastructure—must function flawlessly when lives are at stake. Yet, too often, decisions are made based on the upfront costs rather than long-term reliability and effectiveness that can save lives when seconds count.

What Are the Pitfalls of Low-Cost Solutions?

Low-cost solutions may be budget-friendly, but many lack the durability, range, and functionality required for sending emergency notifications to multiple people in multiple locations. For instance, a mass notification system with poor audio clarity or limited coverage can fail to communicate critical instructions during an emergency. When budgeting for life safety, many organizations consider their current security infrastructure. Many low-cost options do not integrate well with existing security infrastructure, leading to communication gaps and operational inefficiencies. A fragmented system increases response times and reduces the effectiveness of emergency protocols. While an initial investment in a lower-cost system may seem like a win, frequent breakdowns, costly repairs, and premature replacements often erase savings. Reliable, high-quality systems provide longevity and reduce overall costs in the long run. In life-threatening situations, every second counts. A system that lags, experiences outages, or fails to send notifications promptly can lead to devastating consequences, including loss of life.

Investing in Safety: A Non-Negotiable Priority

Life safety budgets should be built on reliability, compliance, and future-proofing. When evaluating solutions, organizations should consider:

  • Proven Performance: Choose vendors with a track record of success in emergency communications and security solutions.
  • Scalability: Ensure the system can grow and adapt to organizational needs.
  • Interoperability: Verify the solution integrates with existing emergencies and security infrastructure.
  • Compliance Assurance: Work with experts who understand regulatory requirements and best practices.
  • Technical Support: We may be biased but our technical support team is one of the best in the industry. Their knowledge and expertise of our products and solutions ensures quick assistance – helping you maximize performance and resolve issues with confidence.

Valcom’s Life Safety Solution

Valcom offers a comprehensive range of life safety solutions designed to meet the unique needs of various sectors, including education, healthcare, commercial and industrial, and government facilities. Our solution portfolio consists of

  • Emergency Notification Systems: Integrated platforms that deliver timely alerts and critical information during emergencies.
  • Paging and Intercom Systems: Advanced systems facilitating clear and efficient communication across facilities.
  • Visual Alerting Solutions: Devices that provide visual cues to ensure messages reach all individuals, including those with hearing impairments.
  • Integration Solutions: Valcom has multiple paths to integrate with an organization’s security infrastructure.

A notable example of Valcom’s commitment to life safety is our partnership with The “I Love U Guys” Foundation to enhance K-12 school safety. This collaboration integrates Valcom’s cutting-edge software and hardware solutions with Standard Response Protocol, creating a unified platform tailored to the specific security needs of K-12 educational institutions. Valcom’s life safety solution is designed for versatility and can be configured to meet the needs of any market. Whether it’s healthcare, commercial and industrial, transportation, or higher education, it adapts to ensure safety throughout your organization.

Valcom’s solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructures, offering flexibility and scalability. Their systems are engineered and assembled in-house, ensuring high-quality standards and the ability to adapt to specific customer requirements.

The goal of any life safety system is to provide peace of mind, ensuring that when the unthinkable happens, the right technology is in place to protect lives. Value investing may work in other areas of an organization’s budget, but safety, reliability, and effectiveness should always supersede short-term cost savings. Cutting corners on life safety budgets can have irreversible consequences—making it one area where investing wisely is genuinely a matter of life and death. To learn how about Valcom’s market solutions check out Who We Help or contact us directly.

Integration, Efficiency and Safety for Healthcare

Valcom’s Integrated Healthcare Solutions

January 13, 2025

Clear and timely communication in healthcare is vital for patients to receive critical care when needed. Not only is the speed of care important for patients in life-threatening situations, but it can improve staff efficiency, reduce confusion, and increase patient satisfaction. Hospitals rely on multiple systems to address patient communication and safety needs effectively.

Nurse Call Systems for Enhanced Patient Care

Nurse call systems are communication networks that connect patients with nursing staff in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. These systems allow patients to request assistance and help staff effectively coordinate their efforts and resources. These systems are crucial for improving patient safety and satisfaction by ensuring timely assistance and effective communication between patients and healthcare providers. Hospitals may also use pagers, email, SMS text messages, or overhead paging systems to streamline communication further.

Advancements in Overhead Paging and Emergency Notification Systems

Overhead paging technology for hospitals and other medical care facilities has evolved significantly. From basic analog public address systems providing one-way paging to current IP-based systems operating over hospital networks, these advancements offer scalability and reliability for a more integrated solution to enhance communication and patient safety. Emergency notification systems have become essential in healthcare facilities, enabling personnel to broadcast critical alerts to staff, patients, and visitors during emergencies.

Valcom’s Healthcare Communication Solutions

Hospitals aiming to strengthen emergency communication and safety have industry best practices solutions to help the flow. Valcom offers innovative solutions for healthcare facilities and provides enhanced communication capabilities that reduce human error and improve emergency response times. Below are highlights of how Valcom systems improve communication in healthcare:

  • Integration with Nurse Call Systems: Valcom seamlessly integrates with nurse call systems to ensure faster, more effective patient communication. By bridging nurse call and other communication devices, Valcom enhances response times and reduces the potential for miscommunication.
  • Emergency Notification with Plain Language Protocols: Valcom solutions support plain language protocols for emergency notifications. These protocols ensure that messages are clear, understandable, and timely, reducing confusion and allowing staff and patients to respond effectively to emergencies.
  • Reducing Human Error in Critical Situations: Valcom systems are designed to automate and streamline critical communication processes, minimizing human error during emergencies. By integrating seamlessly with public paging systems, digital signage, mobile alerts, and other systems, Valcom ensures that vital messages reach the right people at the right time. A centralized control hub empowers hospital administrators to manage communication consistently and efficiently, reducing delays and confusion. Pre-programmed emergency messages and automated responses enhance reliability, allowing staff to focus on patient care rather than troubleshooting communication breakdowns. Hospitals can trust that critical information is delivered swiftly and accurately, safeguarding lives when seconds count.
  • Rapid Communication Across Departments: Valcom systems enable real-time updates to be broadcast across departments, ensuring staff remain informed and connected during routine operations and emergencies.

Valcom’s healthcare communication systems are designed to comply with stringent regulations, including OSHA, ADA, and HIPAA, ensuring patient confidentiality and accessibility. Whether for routine announcements or rapid emergency responses, Valcom’s integrated solutions enhance communication, improve patient safety, and foster a more efficient healthcare environment.

Enhancing Emergency Response with Visual Notifications

Enhancing Emergency Response with Visual Notifications

December 17, 2024

Effective communication can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe in emergencies. While auditory alarms are vital, visual notifications such as LED signs, flashers, and strobe lights add clarity and urgency, enhancing emergency response. These tools are indispensable for ensuring safety in environments with high noise levels, such as industrial facilities, warehouses, and for individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Visual signals cut through the noisy clutter in factories or warehouses. Bright, attention-grabbing indicators like flashers and LED signs ensure that emergency notifications are noticed promptly, reducing response times and increasing the likelihood of swift action. These tools are especially valuable in large venues, such as stadiums, airports, or schools, where clear and actionable information is crucial for directing people unfamiliar with the layout.

Valcom’s LED signs and digital message boards offer more than alerts; they provide specific, actionable instructions. Messages such as “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight,” “Evacuate,” or “Hold” give clear guidance for immediate action, helping to minimize confusion and panic. These visual messaging cues are essential in emergencies, giving a situational awareness of what is happening and allowing them to focus on appropriate actions rather than succumbing to fear or uncertainty.

Visual alerts extend beyond interior spaces to outdoor areas. For example, Valcom’s VL590 Large LED Sign installed outdoors notifies people approaching a building of ongoing emergencies inside and instructs them to stay away. Enhanced features, like multi-color displays and bilingual programming in products like the VL520BK-F-FC, further improve accessibility and effectiveness. Valcom’s VL520BK-F-FC LED sign can be programmed in schools to correspond with the standard response protocols from the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. The multi-lingual feature enhances comprehension and helps individuals overcome language barriers in settings with a diverse population. 

From guiding evacuees to an area of refuge to ensuring accessibility for the hearing impaired, visual notifications bridge critical communication gaps that auditory signals cannot address. As a cornerstone of comprehensive emergency response plans, these tools enhance safety, inclusivity, and security, ensuring everyone receives the information they need to stay safe in a crisis.

Building a Culture of Safety

Empowering Safer Schools Through Preparation & Practice

October 30, 2024

Creating a safe space for students and staff has never been more critical. School safety isn’t just about emergencies—it’s about fostering an environment where students can thrive without fear. Modern K-12 safety solutions prioritize both everyday security and emergency preparedness. This requires proactive measures and reliable systems to prepare schools for any situation. At the core of any emergency action plan is effective communication. In emergencies, timely and clear communication across the school is essential, ensuring everyone receives critical updates when needed. Using advanced paging systems to deliver real-time information helps schools keep everyone informed, reinforcing the sense of safety throughout the campus. Integrating these safety tools with other systems—like access control, video surveillance, and public safety networks—also plays a vital role in school safety. Schools can connect directly with local emergency services and distribute real-time alerts campus-wide through partnerships and compliance with standards like Alyssa’s Law. This seamless communication provides a framework supporting daily security and emergency readiness.

Building a culture of safety involves not only providing the right tools but also preparing students and staff to use them effectively. An example is how Cherry Creek School District developed a safety-first culture by implementing Valcom tools and using The “I Love U Guys” Foundation Standard Response Protocols to train students and staff. The district further reinforces this culture by conducting regular safety drills, allowing students and staff to practice their responses and build familiarity with the protocols. This combination of tools, training, and hands-on drills ensures everyone understands their roles during an emergency, fostering confidence and collaboration across the school community. By fostering confidence through training and awareness, schools can empower their communities to respond proactively and create an environment where safety is part of the daily routine, supporting a secure and positive atmosphere for learning and growth.

Unlocking the Future of Communication Valcom IP Solutions

Scalable. Adaptable. Essential

October 10, 2024

In today’s fast-paced environment, efficient, scalable, and adaptable communication systems are essential for businesses and organizations. Valcom’s IP Solutions offer many benefits that revolutionize how notifications and alerts are managed. By seamlessly integrating with existing systems, these solutions provide a modern, future-proof approach to communication. One significant advantage is their ease of integration. Valcom’s IP solutions can be deployed without interrupting current operations, ensuring a smooth and effortless transition. Unlike traditional systems, which are limited by distance and require physical modifications, Valcom’s IP systems can cover vast areas and be managed remotely. These IP devices are designed to use minimal bandwidth, ensuring network performance is not compromised.

Versatility is another standout benefit. For example, the VIP-893 Interactive Console and the VIP-895-S Building Communication Panel are foundations for robust IP systems, offering intuitive touchscreen controls for managing messages and alerts. The VL-520BK-F-FC multi-function endpoint further exemplifies this versatility by integrating an LED display, loudspeaker, and flashers into a single device. This combination simplifies installation and enhances functionality, providing an all-in-one solution for diverse communication needs.

Valcom’s IP solutions are also designed with future growth in mind. Businesses can cost-effectively upgrade and expand their communication systems by leveraging existing network infrastructure. Valcom remains committed to innovation and the production of high-quality products designed, manufactured, and supported in the USA. You can rely on these adaptable solutions to keep your people safe, informed, and on schedule.

Potter Global Technologies Appoints Roel Vestjens as CEO

Potter announces the appointment of Roel Vestjens as Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors. Roel Vestjens succeeds Gerry Connolly, who has led the company since 2019.

Roel joins Potter after an extensive career across leading industrial businesses. He most recently served as CEO of Belden, a signal transmission solutions company, where he spent 17 years in various leadership roles. Prior to Belden, he served in various roles at Royal Philips Electronics and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.

“We are confident that Roel’s track record and wealth of experience in elevating companies and growing global businesses will be invaluable to supporting Potter’s continued ability to develop new ways to serve our customers and protect lives” said Mark Levy and Kevin Layne, Co-Chairmen of the Board at Potter. “We are grateful to Gerry for his contributions to Potter’s success over the past several years and are pleased to welcome Roel to lead Potter in its next chapter.”

“Potter has a rich history as a trusted provider of mission critical, high-quality fire safety and emergency communication equipment supported by incredible customer service. I see substantial potential for continued growth and am delighted to join the team at such an exciting time in the company’s journey.  As we grow from here, we will be building on Potter’s legacy of reliability and innovation in fire and life safety to better serve our customers and protect the public,” said Roel Vestjens.

“I am incredibly proud of the tremendous growth and milestones that we have collectively achieved over the past several years,” said Gerry Connolly. “Potter has a bright future ahead and I look forward to supporting Roel and the Board as they continue to take the company to new heights.”

Valcom & Convergint Partnership

Convergint and Valcom Partner to Enhance K-12 Safety with Integrated Communication Solutions

September 4, 2024

To improve safety measures in K-12 schools across the country, Valcom a pioneer in communication and security technology has partnered with Convergint, a top global system integrator. Through the partnership, Valcom’s cutting-edge software solutions, comprehensive hardware offerings and Convergint’s system integration expertise are combined to produce a unified platform that caters to the particular security needs of educational institutions. This combination of software and hardware is a key differentiator, setting Valcom apart from competitors who typically focus on only one of these aspects.

The Unified Safety Solution

The partnership between Valcom and Convergint brings together best-in-class technologies to create a robust safety ecosystem for educational institutions. Valcom’s integrated software solutions streamline communication, automate emergency notifications, and provide real-time monitoring, ensuring that schools are prepared to respond swiftly to any situation.

Key components of the solution include:

IP6000 Site Manager®

A scalable solution that provides consistent audible and visual alerts at individual locations, ensuring effective local communication for safety and security

VEMASS (Valcom Enterprise Management & Security Software

Enables real-time monitoring and management across multiple locations by connecting with IP6000 SiteManagers. VEMASS ensures swift, site-specific communication and offers enterprise-level control for reliable emergency response.

VEEWS (Valcom Earthquake Early Warning System)

Provides early earthquake warnings in California, Oregon, and Washington, quickly communicating signs of seismic activity to enable timely protective measures.

V-Alert

A mobile alerting application that enables quick and reliable emergency notifications. With features such as geofencing, unlimited messaging, and seamless API integration, V-Alert ensures that critical information reaches the right people at the right time​.

Enhancing School Safety and Operational Excellence

Convergint and Valcom’s partnership represents an innovative approach to management and safety in K–12 education. By integrating Convergint’s extensive expertise in security and system integration with Valcom’s cutting-edge communication, emergency notification technology, and hardware, schools can achieve previously unattainable standards of safety and operational efficiency.

With Valcom’s unified platform, which includes both software and hardware, schools are able to streamline daily operations and ensure quick, organized emergency responses. This partnership enables educational institutions to proactively safeguard their most valuable assets—staff and students—while optimizing their maintenance and communication procedures. The combination of these advanced technologies guarantees the prompt and accurate delivery of vital information, promoting a secure and safe learning environment where operational excellence and safety are the norm.

About Convergint

Convergint is a global systems integrator focused on delivering results for our customers through unparalleled service excellence. At Convergint, our top priority is service in every way — service to customers, colleagues, and community.

As an integrator, Convergint works alongside a global network of partners and manufacturers to design, install, and service security, fire alarm, life safety, audio-visual, and building automation solutions for enterprise customers.

Our unique and empowered culture, guided by our Values and Beliefs, helps us stay accountable to our mission, and our number one objective: to be our customers’ best service provider.

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