SIP vs Non-SIP. What do we mean?

Session Initiation Protocol  allows the seamless carriage of PSTN (standard telephone) and video conferencing and messaging on an IP network eg. the internet.

Typically, each end device (User Agent or UA) registers with a Session Initiation Protocol server or IP PBX.  This is similar to the email system where an email account is a registered account on an email server.  The UA then uses the account to make calls to other devices which are found on the IP network using standard IP network systems such as DNS.

For a more complete definition of Session Initiation Protocol please check the link below:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_Initiation_Protocol

SIP is used with IP telephone systems and other Session Initiation Protocol devices.  VoIP (voice over IP) uses SIP to communicate between devices and phone systems and is the signalling protocol for call setup, handling, and completion.

With the rollout of the NBN in Australia all telephony is be carried over the internet as VoIP.  The evolution of wireless broadband is also seeing mobile networks move to all IP based networks including telephony.  SIP is the protocol used predominantly in all IP based telephony and can also be found in many other systems such as online gaming, CCTV and security systems, FAX etc.

So why should you consider a SIP based intercom or CCTV camera? 

Firstly not all Session Initiation Protocol based equipment is the same.

For example, some equipment provides SIP as an additional function set and will work without connecting to an IP PBX or cloud server.  Other equipment requires an IP PBX or cloud PBX server to operate.

Our intercoms sold as SIP systems (door station and display panel) will work without a server i.e. the door station will call the intercom panels and normal intercom functionality will occur.  The message is using Session Initiation Protocol but as the devices are on the same network they can find each other without requiring a server or in some instances use a cloud server allowing additional call endpoints via softphones or Apps – this is unique to this system.

Our intercoms can also call devices via an IP PBX or cloud PBX as they have accounts for other endpoints such as VoIP phones or softphones and Apps.  In this way a SIP device can call other devices much the same as making a phone call.  A door station could call a local display panel first and then try another number second and then a mobile number etc.  A CCTV camera could call a phone number when it detects movement in a defined area of the camera view. 

The feature of devices calling other devices is especially attractive for businesses where they are likely to have an on premises IP PBX or a cloud hosted server and they want to integrate the intercom or camera into the existing business telephone server or move to a more cost effective IP PBX appliance solution rather than the expensive PABX systems used in the past. 

Home owners may find this useful too where they have (or want) a number of VoIP extensions in the home and want the intercom to make a video call to the phones as a group call or individual extensions or even call forward to a phone outside the system.   At the most basic they may want to receive intercom calls to their mobile only which they can do through a VoIP call to the mobile number or to a VoIP App on the mobile phone.

Non SIP IP systems are restricted to calling other devices within the same system i.e. door station calls display panel or mobile App but cannot make a VoIP call to a telephone or Soft Phone.  They support the usual desirable features such as video, message on no answer, mobile App, alarm system integration, interface to electric door strike, and ability to view other cameras.

There are non SIP systems that work with telephone systems usually as an analogue extension of a PABX or a DECT extension of a mobile DECT telephone system often found in homes or business, 3G/4G mobile equipped devices using mobile carrier networks for communications.  These are usually limited to audio only.

In Summary

SIP just describes the method used to connect the intercom system and offers VoIP telephone system integration for your intercom.  While not all systems require a an IP PBX, all SIP systems have the ability to connect to one.  This enables increased functionality which will continue to grow as more devices become Session Initiation Protocol enabled.

Please contact us to discuss if you would like more information or to discuss your specific situation.  We consider ourselves in the consulting and support business rather than sales.  We provide ongoing support and are happy to discuss any issue long after the sale has been completed.