The system was especially designed by TIS to meet the needs of the new Castle Point store in Bournemouth and follows TIS's success in providing PA systems to many other large retail stores including some 22 other Marks & Spencer stores throughout the UK. It includes 130 ceiling speakers and 13 wall speakers across six zones on several floors. Each zone is independently addressable with prioritized emergency announcements, general store customer and staff announcements.
An unusual feature is the ability to allow voice messages to be broadcast just to selected areas whilst maintaining background music. This means messages can be broadcast to say the food hall, restaurant or staff areas without interrupting normal messages or music to other zones in the store. Priority messaging can be set up so for example, security can take priority over all other messages. Input sound sources include a dual cassette recorder and multi-CD player for background music and digitally stored message system. According to Ian Laurie, specialist communications business group manager for Tyco Integrated Systems in the UK, "Over the years we have developed a considerable expertize in designing PA and sound systems for a wide variety of retail and commercial applications including Marks & Spencer's stores and include custom design to suit the requirements of each individual location. This allows us to provide the customer with unique solutions to help them meet the needs of their business and provide improved communications and safety within their stores." Consultants for the installation were ACDP, and the main installation contractors were Balfour Kilpatrick.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
