There is a lot of sound in a K–12 setting: fire alarms, public address systems, school bells, student and teacher voices, audio from videos played in classrooms and on phones in the hallways, message notifications on laptops and personal devices. But in an emergency, administrators need a way to send a message that cuts through all of this noise, a unified alert that’s delivered across every available outlet. 

Historically, schools have struggled to string together multiple systems — a disparate mix of PA systems, fire alarms and other miscellaneous tech — and hoped for the best.

However, the only way to ensure emergency messages are delivered on time to first responders and all the key individuals within a building is to use an interoperable platform. Interoperability occurs when two or more separate, individual systems work together. 

“During emergencies, it is important that the right audio is heard at the right time and in the right place,” says Sean Penn, senior vice president of the education product portfolio at Boxlight.

EXPLORE: Boxlight solutions from CDW can help unify your school’s emergency alerts.