MICONNECT L1 – SALES COOK BOOK

Australian Market Comparisons

What it is

A practical comparison of common audio/alerting systems used in AU deployments:

• Inter-M ARM-911 – centralised bell/timer controller (analogue).

• Axis IP Audio – all-in-one PoE IP speakers + Audio Manager (SIP/Axis stack).

• 2N SIP Audio – SIP paging endpoints that tie into a PBX/SIP server.

• TerraCom – AoIP endpoints with central TerraManager software.

• Digital Acoustics IP7 – SIP intercom/paging endpoints with TalkMaster/InformaCast.

• Barix (IP audio + Barionet) – IP audio endpoints; Barionet controller + BCL/Syn-Apps/3rd-party for workflows (e.g., SMS).

• MiConnect – distributed, browser-based IP ecosystem (audio + signage + safety + sensors + SMS).

What it can do (at a glance)

• ARM-911 → Bells/tones on a schedule; simple PA triggers; limited integrations.

• Axis → SIP paging, background music, zones, health monitoring via Axis Audio Manager.

• 2N → SIP paging/intercom integrated to PBX; relies on SIP server.

• TerraCom → Paging/intercom/music; event & schedule via TerraManager (centralised).

• Digital Acoustics IP7 → Convert analogue to SIP/IP; two-way intercom; manage via TalkMaster/InformaCast.

• Barix → IP audio; with Barionet + BCL/Syn-Apps/3rd-party can build workflows (e.g., SMS, triggers); flexible but more integrator effort.

• MiConnect → High-quality audio, IP signs, strobes, sirens, relays, UPS, vape, CCTV/security, native GSM SMS, APIs/webhooks; modular & distributed.

Comparison table (battle view)

What sets it apart

• MiConnect directly integrates SMS (GSM), signage, strobes, sirens, relays, UPS, vape detectors, CCTV/security, and APIs/webhooks in one distributed stack — without a central server dependency.

• Axis/2N/TerraCom/Digital Acoustics: strong audio/paging (and in some cases intercom), but generally audio-first with a central software dependency and limited native safety/monitoring.

• Barix: very flexible building block for IP audio and I/O; workflows (e.g., SMS) typically require Barionet + BCL/Syn-Apps/3rd-party — great for integrators, but more parts to stand up and maintain.

Why we developed it

To offer a home-grown, scalable alternative that:

• avoids SIP/PBX dependencies for audio quality and sync,

• avoids single points of failure (distributed),

• and unifies safety + comms + monitoring in one platform.

Important: We position Visiplex RF separately (previous module) for sites with no network infrastructure or asbestos constraints; RF has a critical place in the portfolio and is bound by ACMA RF power limits on range.

Metaphor
Others are old landline phones.
MiConnect is a smartphone with apps and integrations.

Site Walkthrough Checklist – Existing 100V Line Site

🔍 What to look for on-site:

• Where are the existing 100V amps located?

• Speaker tapping (check taps: 2.5 W, 5 W, 10 W etc.).

• Amplifier size and load (e.g. 60 W vs 500 W).

• Watch for end of the line speaker especially external horns – better to use a Node at the end for externals then the 100v line unless already existing and covering good

• Age/condition of wiring & speakers (asbestos risk?).

• Limitations: single or limited zone, volume complaints, poor outdoor cut-through.

• Use the online 100v line audio tool on our website for guidance

💬 How to position MiConnect:

• “We can bolt on MiConnect without ripping everything out.”

• “Nodes can drive outdoor horns directly for clarity, independent of classroom speakers.”

• “We can hybrid with the 100V lines for now, and build a migration path to IP zoning.”

Site Walkthrough Checklist – New Build / Data Infrastructure

🔍 What to look for on-site:

• Data racks (where can Gateways live?).

• Fibre vs copper – ask what’s being run between blocks.

• Power over Ethernet switches (PoE budget, UPS support).

• Speakers – How and where are we going to place them and how are we going to power them? What zones does the client want vs what does the client actually need?

• Use the online 100v line audio tool on our website for guidance

• Security integrations (CCTV, Access Control).

💬 How to position MiConnect:

• “Because MiConnect is distributed, every Gateway/Node is self-hosted — no single server.”

• “You’ll be able to integrate signage, strobes, sirens, relays, vape detectors, UPS monitoring under one pane of glass.”

• “Redundancy is built-in — if one gateway / node fails, the rest keep running.”

Functionality Talking Points (Client / Consultant)

Core pillars:

• Audio – local MP3/WAV, multicast PA, pro DACs.

• Visuals – LED signs, strobes.

• Safety – sirens, relays, duress, vape, UPS.

• Comms – SMS in/out, APIs, webhooks.

Key points:

• Native GSM SMS → no third-party gateway.

• Simple browser-based GUI → no special software.

• Distributed resilience → no single point of failure.

• Roadmap → MiConnect Scheduler & Console. We work with our clients to build a better system. Always looking at new and improved systems / modules for the ecosystem.

Objection Handling

• “But we already have a 100V system” → “MiConnect can bolt on, hybrid style.”

• “Why not SIP audio?” → “SIP is voice only; MiConnect delivers music-quality audio.”

• “What if a Gateway fails?” → “Others collapse, MiConnect keeps running.”

• “We’ve always used Visiplex” → “RF is great where there’s no cabling. Where there is, MiConnect gives more integration and quality.”

Metaphors & Simplified Explanations

• Phone vs Smartphone → MiConnect is a smartphone with apps.

• One Bus vs Fleet of Cars → Resilience: if the bus breaks, everyone is stuck. Fleet = redundancy.

• Solar Panels on Old Grid → Hybrid with 100V line.

• Swiss Army Knife → MiConnect = multi-tool that keeps adding blades.

• Universal Remote → Triggering via APIs and Sequences.

Technical Cheat Sheet (Quick Facts)

• Gateway Specs: Broadcom chip, 8 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC, 256 GB NVMe, PoE gigabit, RTC, pro audio HAT.

• Node Specs: Same, but no NVMe.

• Audio Quality: MP3/WAV local storage, multicast, pro DAC.

• SMS: Native GSM, inbound/outbound.

• Redundancy: Each Gateway/Node independent.

• Integration: CCTV, Security, Vape, UPS, Access Control.

Sales Conversation Flow

1. Discovery → Ask: “Do you have an existing PA? 100V line? SIP audio? Visiplex?”

2. Pain Points → Poor zoning, poor audio cut-through, single point of failure, lack of SMS/signage.

3. Introduce MiConnect → Position distributed, integrated, modular ecosystem.

4. Differentiate → Show competitor battle card.

5. Future-proofing → Talk scheduler, GStreamer, resilience, UPS.

6. Close → “Would you like us to design a hybrid migration path or a fresh deployment?”