Telephone, an instrument designed for the simultaneous transmission and

reception of the human voice. The telephone is inexpensive, is simple to operate,

and offers its users an immediate, personal type of communication that cannot
be obtained through any other medium.
There are 3 main types of phone systems – the key or key-less system, the
PBX and the VoIP. Hybrid systems are also now available. Installation varies
among these systems but they usually come with installation and user manuals.
Modern VoIP, PBX and Hybrid Systems
Most modern business telephone systems come with plug and play phones
and components. You just need a free line, connect your phones and you can
start using them.
They also come with user manuals if you want to know more about the system.
You can also consult their website and other resources over the Internet.

Installing a PBX manually

Most providers offer installation services. Some are for free while some ask for
a small fee. If you need to install the PBX yourself, get ready because it can be a
complicated and tedious task. You can get frustrated but the key is to relax and
just focus on the task. You can always call your provider for over-the-phone
support to guide you in the process.
 1. Locate an area where the phone lines can be accessible to you and your
employees. This is where you will install your key service unit (KSU). It is what
makes your PBX work. It should be connected to your phone lines and units.
2. Attach the KSU to the wall. You may need some power tools to drill holes and
attach the unit.
3. Plug the circuit cards into the KSU. Most slots are already labeled. These are
often found on the side of the KSU but some models may require you to
remove the case in order to access the slots.
4. Use the telephone cords to connect the telephone lines directly to the KSU.
5. Run a line from the KSU to each of your phone units.
6. Plug the KSU to a power outlet and make sure that all system lights
illuminate.
7. Turn all the phone lines on and watch for the proper light to signal that the
connection is successful.
8. Find the setup and programming manual to properly code your unit. These
directions vary from model to model so be sure to follow them carefully.
9. Test the phones after programming.
10. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to call your provider. For more
complicated systems, it is better to let the experts do it.

What is a PBX?
A PBX is an acronym for Private Branch Exchange, which is a private
telephone network that allows users can talk to each other. Different hardware
components work in tandem to provide connectivity to the telephone network.
A PBX operates a company’s internal telephone network. A PBX system
manages the routing and advanced calling features for inbound and outbound
calls.
Setting up a PBX is no small task. A company enlists the help of one or more
systems administrators with decades of telecom experience. You would also
need the physical space to place the PBX system in the office, like a closet or
server room.
 An intercom system is a two-way communication electronic device that
contains circuitry for the purpose of transmitting and receiving audio and/or
video transmissions.
With the advent of cellular communication, digital telephone systems, and other
communication devices, the use of intercoms has declined.
Wireless Intercoms: In applications where wires cannot be run, a wireless system
is used. There are a broad spectrum of two-way wireless communication
devices that include such devices as handheld radios, outdoor wireless callboxes,
as well as traditional desktop devices. The range these units will transmit varies
widely based on the wireless technology used.

Wired Intercom Systems: When you can run wires between locations, a wired
system can give you a little more privacy and eliminate possible interference
from neighboring systems. There are different wire types such as 2-wire
shielded or Cat-5/6 that can be used with these systems. If you are considering
a video system, a wired unit may be the best solution.

Video Intercom: These typically have a unit that has a camera, speaker, and a
push button that goes at an entrance door, and an internal monitor unit that
can communicate with the entrance unit. Some systems can have multiple video
monitors internally. Given the difficulty of sending video over the airwaves at
very much distance without interference, most available units are wired.
Apartment Intercoms: This type of system has a door unit at an entrance door
and then each apartment or flat has either one or multiple units that can speak
to the door and possibly see the visitor, or the door unit rings a landline or
cellular telephone number. A visitor simply presses the correct button for the
apartment they want to speak to, and the tenant can speak back and then
press a button to unlock the door.

Two-Way Radios: While these are technically not intercoms, there are two-way
radios that communicate with base station intercoms. So you can have the
flexibility of a mobile radio that communicates over long distances mixed with
the capability a fixed intercom gives you.
Modern “cable television” networks are used to provide a wide range of
services, including analog and digital video, digital audio, high-speed data, and
telephony.
The essential distinguishing characteristics of cable television networks are that
they include broadband (typically 0.5-1 GHz of total bandwidth), highly linear
distribution systems designed to carry many modulated radio frequency (RF)
signals with a minimal amount of mutual interference between a central point
and many customers, where signals are delivered via coaxial cables to and from
terminal equipment. Because of these characteristics, the networks are service-
agnostic to the extent that they will carry any information that can be
modulated on a compatible RF carrier. Modern cable television networks are
almost always two-way, use optical fiber extensively, and are segmentable so
as to allow simultaneous frequency reuse in various network sections.

HDMI cable—Best picture quality

Newer cable boxes come equipped
with an HDMI (high-definition
multimedia interface) port, a small
rectangular slot labeled as such on
the back panel. If your cable box
doesn’t have one, you should
request a new version made within
the last 10 years, as cable
companies don’t always alert you to
new equipment upgrades (especially
if they’re free to customers, which
they usually are).
An HDMI cable is an all-in-one
delivery system for video and audio,
and it transmits the highest quality
signal for both. You can buy HDMI
cables almost anywhere, from
electronics stores to big-box home
improvement outlets, and the
expensive ones aren’t necessarily
better than the cheaper ones—it’s
up to you how much you want to
spend.
Cable-to-HDMI installation
1. Fasten the cable from the wall
to the cable box’s Input, then
plug the HDMI cable into the
HDMI port on the back panel.
2. Plug the other end of the HDMI
cable into one of your TV’s
back-panel or side-panel HDMI
ports (most new TVs have more
than one to accommodate
multiple devices). It doesn’t
matter which HDMI port you use,
as they’re all identical.
3. After the signal is established,
you can use your remote to
label the cable input for easy
on-screen menu distinction
between other devices (example:
HDMI 1: Cable, HDMI 2: Blu-ray
player, HDMI 3: Xbox, etc.).
 Home audio and video setups are as individual as the people who own them.
At its most basic, a home theater includes a TV, some speakers and an
audio/video source. Find out about the newest home theater components, and
how they work together to give you a superior entertainment experience.
Imagine pausing a movie in the living room, then starting it at the same spot
from the comfort of your bedroom. Or having a party where the music moves
with you, playing seamlessly whether guests are in the kitchen, the living room or
on the patio. This sort of whole-house AV system distributes sources — such as
satellite TV or a DVD player — to different environments or zones, throughout
the home. Sources are centralized in one location (known as the "head end"),
giving you the convenience and joy of your music, movies and media in any room
An AV control system is a special device that connects all the different AV
equipment in a meeting space. You can then control everything in the room
from one interface – typically a touch screen or a keypad - effectively
removing the need for a stack of remote controls and a jungle of cables in the
room..

This sort of whole-house AV system distributes sources — such as satellite

TV or a DVD player — to different environments or zones, throughout the home.
Sources are centralized in one location (known as the "head end"), giving you the
convenience and joy of your music, movies and media in any room.
A public address (PA) system is for amplifying the human voice. In its simplest
form, it has a microphone, mixer, and loudspeakers. It all starts with the
microphone (mic), which converts sound pressure to voltage. That means when
you speak or sing into the mic, its magnetic force outputs a small amount of
voltage. That voltage is then sent to either a mixer or loudspeaker for
amplification. Once boosted by a power amplifier, the voltage is so high that it
forces the speakers to move and recreate the sound pressure changes which
first entered the mic. The result is a much louder sounding voice.

Presenter or karaoke
The simplest job of any public address system is
amplifying a single microphone through a
powered speaker. The amplifier receives
signal from the microphone, amplifies it
according to the speaker’s level control, and
then outputs sound from the speaker.

Singer-songwriter or musician
Most mixers have the same features and
controls but vary in the number of channels
for connecting microphones and instruments.
That means when you need more mics, you
need more channels. A mixer with a couple of
channels allows you to mic a voice or
instrument (like guitar or piano), mix them
together, and then output them through
one or two main speakers.

Band or music group

A typical band might require mics for drums
(kick, snare), bass guitar (mic or line input),
electric guitar (amplifier mic), keys (stereo
line inputs), and a few vocalist microphones.
Channels add up fast, so an ideal mixer is
one that has enough. In this case, you’ll likely
need a larger mixer with additional channels
for mics, aux sends for stage monitors, and a
stage snake to make setup easier.
The setup process is the same, but you’ll
need to give more attention to gain staging
and feedback prevention. Typically, the more
microphones and speakers you add to a
system, the more likely you are to experience
feedback.


High technology (high tech), also known as advanced technology (advanced

tech) or exotechnology, is technology that is at the cutting edge: the highest
form of technology available. It can be defined as either the most complex or
the newest technology on the market.
Smart home technology, also often referred to as home automation or
domotics (from the Latin "domus" meaning home), provides homeowners
security, comfort, convenience and energy efficiency by allowing them to
control smart devices, often by a smart home app on their smartphone or other
networked device. A part of the internet of things (IoT), smart home systems
and devices often operate together, sharing consumer usage data among
themselves and automating actions based on the homeowners' preferences.
High Tech buildings are characterised by exposed structures (usually of
steel and or other metals), with services (pipes, air ducts, lifts etc.) often picked
out in bright colours, a smooth, impervious skin (often of glass) and a flexibility to
create internal service zones, rather than rooms or sequences of rooms.

Unrivaled Views from an Automated Marvel

Zinkwazi Beach, South Africa
R20,000,000 (currency)

high-tech features:
Entertainers’ dream with an automation system that controls:
Ducted heating/cooling
Glass elevator
Blinds
Music system throughout home
Shutters
Automated gates
Garages
Security systems
Security: Alarm system, CCTV, security shutters
Rim-flow, heated swimming pool
Rainwater harvesting system
2 solar geysers
Generator to run the entire property
 Museum Modern Ocean to Intracoastal Estate
Hillsboro Beach, FL, USA
US $29,500,000 (currency)
high-tech features:
Crestron automation by Audio One integrates all systems including the
lighting, sound, retractable media screens, window treatments, fireplaces,
and fountains
Restaurant-style American Panel walk-in refrigerator
The gourmet chef has a Sub-Zero refrigerator plus other Miele appliances
including:
a gas cook-top
microwave
oven
steamer
wine cooler
dual coffee system
three dishwashers
Stylish media room is exquisitely paneled in Circassian walnut ornamented
with stainless steel inlay
Four bedroom suites are arranged off the loft-style media room paneled in
mahogany inlaid in brass and steel

A building automation system (BAS) is a network designed to connect and

automate certain functions inside a building. All of the building control systems,
from lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) to fire and
security systems—all wired through one set of controls. What makes them
smart is that the BAS helps maintain indoor air quality and energy efficiency by
tracking the status of related systems. It doesn’t have to be just one building,
either. If you manage a commercial property with multiple buildings, all of them
can be managed through a single interface. This helps your facilities
management team work smarter, not harder.

A building automation system, or BAS as it is commonly abbreviated, networks

and controls almost every major element of a space. A short list of systems
automated in the typical smart building might include the following:
Lighting and other electrical systems
Plumbing systems
HVAC systems and rooftop units
Fire alarms and other emergency systems
Elevators and other mechanical systems
Surveillance cameras and other security systems
Vents and exhaust fans
VAV Boxes
When it is being used correctly, a smart building is greener, more user-friendly,
and less expensive to operate than a regular building.Some of the ways that this
works are obvious. A BAS can be configured to reduce heating or cooling use
after tenants go home for the day, for example.Other uses are a little bit more
sophisticated. Some modern building automation systems use machine learning
to predict when a room or unit will be out of use and adjust HVAC use
accordingly.
 Robotics is the intersection of science, engineering and technology that
produces machines, called robots, that replicate or substitute for human
actions. Pop culture has always been fascinated with robots — examples include
R2-D2, the Terminator and WALL-E. These over-exaggerated, humanoid
concepts of robots usually seem like a caricature of the real thing. But are they
more forward thinking than we realize? Robots are gaining intellectual and
mechanical capabilities that don’t put the possibility of a R2-D2-like machine out
of reach in the future.
Robots eliminate dangerous jobs for humans because they are capable of
working in hazardous environments. They can handle lifting heavy loads, toxic
substances and repetitive tasks. This has helped companies to prevent many
accidents, also saving time and money.

When the Police Department acquired a robotic dog last year, officials
heralded the four-legged device as a futuristic tool that could go places that
were too dangerous to send officers.
“This dog is going to save lives,” Inspector Frank Digiacomo of the department’s
technical Assistance Response Unit said in a television interview in December.
“It’s going to protect people. It’s going to protect officers.”
Instead, the machine, which the police named Digidog, became a source of
heated debate. After it was seen being deployed as part of the response to a
home invasion in the Bronx in February, critics likened it to a dystopian
surveillance drone.
And when officers used it at a public housing building in Manhattan this month, a
backlash erupted again, with some people describing the device as emblematic
of how overly aggressive the police can be when dealing with poor communities.


Intelligent buildings are facilities that leverage complex automated systems to

maximize operational efficiency and the well-being of occupants. Historically, the
term often referred to structures built for sustainability instead of smart
technology. Today, the definition includes simplified maintenance, enhanced
tenant experiences, increased productivity, and much more.
What are the characteristics of intelligent building technology?
Reliable internet connectivity
All intelligent buildings need internet access to leverage the IoT capabilities of
devices in their networks. Simply adding WiFi routers isn’t enough — designers
need to maximize coverage, avoid building materials that block signals and have
contingencies in place for emergencies. For these reasons, Ethernet cables are
the most reliable infrastructure for bringing various systems together. Whether
you’re upgrading a standard building or designing a facility from the ground up,
extensive wiring plans are the intelligent choice.

Optimized maintenance
When something breaks down in an intelligent building, facility managers need to
get it running as quickly as possible. Thankfully, these systems can use
preventative maintenance tools to monitor performance and recommend
inspections in advance. In addition, building designs should include easy
maintenance access to hardware and software assets across the entire
structure. Finally, a digital twin with indoor navigation options — like those
powered by Resonai’s Vera Platform — can direct repair teams to trouble
areas with minimal assistance from other staff.
Energy efficiency
The most common energy waste occurs from everyday inefficiencies, such as
always-on lights or overactive air conditioning. Intelligent buildings can automate
this usage to reduce costs and promote sustainability. For example, the facility
might adjust climate controls based on the number of occupants in a given
space. Workspace lighting may activate when a desk is in use and switch off
once everyone leaves. These efficiencies add up over time, reducing operating
expenses.

Automated and personalized services

Both intelligent and smart buildings have similar features that combine IoT
devices, online connectivity, and energy efficiency. One key difference is
automation — while smart buildings offer interfaces to control facility
operations, intelligent buildings manage them automatically. Advanced networks
use sensors to detect tenant locations and predict where they will be before
optimizing the building environment accordingly.
Where both facilities overlap, however, is personalization. Intelligent and smart
buildings provide tools to enhance any tenant or employee’s effectiveness,
productivity, and even comfort within its walls. Smart buildings can grant user
control of appliances while intelligent buildings activate them automatically, but
both are tailored to serve individuals.