Vocera Communications Products -- Video

Now THIS would be cool in the new building!

Vocera Communications Products -- Video

Libraries try voice over wi-fi
Librarians who toured the Orange County Library System (OCLS) while in Orlando for the June 2004 American Library Association (ALA) annual conference saw an interesting use of new technology. Library staff use a wireless voice communication system called Vocera to increase efficiency and improve patron service.
The main library of OCLS is six floors high and a city block long, making direct staff communication difficult. Before installing Vocera, staff tended to be confined to specific workspaces, such as a service desk on one floor. With Vocera, staff can circulate through the building, helping patrons where the patrons are actually working, while keeping in touch with one another.
The Vocera communications system runs on a standard Windows server and leverages the wireless networking (wi-fi) already installed in a building. Users wear a lightweight badge with a speaker, microphone, and LCD for hands-free communication. At OCLS, badges are rotated from staff to staff between shifts. Unlike pagers or cell phones, Vocera uses in-building technology and has no monthly costs. If desired, the system also can be connected to the telephone system through a PBX, so users can make and receive phone calls directly through their badges.
Vocera Communications was surprised by library interest. Its product is primarily implemented in hospitals, where it helps floor nurses communicate with central nursing stations and one another. Now, however, the company is watching the library market. So far the only library installations are OCLS and Seattle Public Library, but the company is talking to several other library systems.-PC

http://www.vocera.com