Intercom system through your computer system

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spence

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Hi, I am the IT guy for a school and my headmaster has asked me to invetigate a possible setup of the school intercom system through our computers in our classroom. I have found programs that give you the functionality of an intercom system but i am confused as to how you would set it up in a classroom where if the teacher is called on the intercom they can talk back without them walking to the computer to talk. Does anyone have any good ideas.
I need as much help possible
Thanks in advance
 
I can recommend Asterisk. It's a very mature, but somewhat complex solution.
 
Thanks for the speedy replies. Im not quite sure how this system works is it a seperate system for the intercoms or will it run through the pc's. My concern is that i have a budget and in that budget i need to buy 70 computers and a intercom system. at this stage its either or unless i can get them to work together, so in other words spend money on computers and have a intercom system at the same time
 
Well, Skype would also work, but the teacher would have to walk to the PC to answer the call. Not sure if there is a way around this, but is it that important, classes are not that big ?

The benefit of Skype is that it is free, and it is really simple to set up.

The advantage of not requiring a pickup is that the Headmaster can listen in to the class without anyone being aware of it, if that is what you want.

Edit : Oops, Skype can do this : click Tools|Options|Calls|'tick' Automatically answer incoming calls|Save

So Skype should be able to do everything that you need.

Read : http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showtopic=110568
 
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Hi Spence, I suspect your requirement would also be to do the announcenments over the system. As well as call grouping etc. I suspect that the skype route will not work.
 
Roadkill2 said:
Hi Spence, I suspect your requirement would also be to do the announcenments over the system. As well as call grouping etc. I suspect that the skype route will not work.
Click to expand...

Call groups and conference calls : http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/conference-calls/

One would, of course, have to test this first, especially in combination with the auto-answer.

Oh, and with the PC in the right position you could spy on the class with video calls !

Maybe Skype is just too good for this application ! Of course, the Headmaster won't think so !
 
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I agree with the skype route and have tested it. It works well. Was just wondering if there is another solution which would be easier for some of the technologically challenged teachers to use. With the current intercom system if someone calls you on the intercom you just talk back to the speaker. No need to push a button or anything like that. There are some really challenged people when it comes to computers they dont even know how to turn it on. Thats my predicament.
 
spence said:
There are some really challenged people when it comes to computers they dont even know how to turn it on. Thats my predicament.
Click to expand...

Have Skype Auto-Start, and then have Auto-Answer - No buttons (or keys ) !

Maybe I underestimate the problem :D

Of course, I haven't tested it like this, just now my kids will be spying on me :wtf:
 
spence said:
Hi, I am the IT guy for a school and my headmaster has asked me to invetigate a possible setup of the school intercom system through our computers in our classroom. I have found programs that give you the functionality of an intercom system but i am confused as to how you would set it up in a classroom where if the teacher is called on the intercom they can talk back without them walking to the computer to talk. Does anyone have any good ideas.
I need as much help possible
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Hi,

Have you ever found a solution to this problem? I'm now also looking for a school intercom systems and just wondered what you ended up doing?
 
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