Telecom managers are in the midst of transitioning away from POTS, the backbone of communications for decades. Part of it is because of the deadline set by the FCC for when carriers could push consumers off of traditional analog lines and over to the digital alternative. The other part, largely due to the reduction in POTS utilization with the migration to IP communications, is that POTS prices are rising and maintenance response is slowing down.
Basically, POTS is more of a hinderance than anything, especially in a time when applications today require more than just voice. Applications demand full TDM compatibility, 24/7 remote out-of-band monitoring and enterprise-scale deployment support.
Granite’s EPIK device is a managed facilities-based voice network device that is a POTS alternative allowing a code-compliant network handoff for existing fire or security panels. It supports elevator, blue light, metering and other applications. And if primary internet access is not available, Granite EPIK provides 4G LTE connectivity and cellular backup.
Because of its capabilities for fire safety applications, EPIK is the recipient of the seal of approval from the New York City Fire Department. This is standard protocol by FDNY when new technologies emerge, such as EPIK, to be certain solutions meet FDNY's standards for ensuring compliance with the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, NFPA 72, and New York's local standards.
Service providers demonstrate that their network equipment is suitable for transmitting fire alarm signals to a supervised station with quality equivalent to the OSTN. This is needed to ensure the safety of New York City residents and visitors.
“Granite EPIK goes far beyond the capabilities of a normal POTS replacement device as a MFVN that is fully compatible with fire and life safety applications,” said Rob Hale, president and CEO at Granite.
The FDNY seal of approval is not the first for Granite’s EPIK device. The device is also approved by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal, received earlier in 2022.
Granite is exhibiting at ITExpo in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Feb. 14-17, 2023. #TECHSUPERSHOW includes nearly a dozen collocated business technology events that bring buyers, users, sellers and partners together under one roof to educate and build business relationships around the technologies driving business success today. Granite will be in Booth #635.
Edited by
Erik Linask
