Eventually the time will come when you are faced with the prospect of needing to replace your nursery pager system. This could be for any number of reasons, such as your current system being unable to meet expanding needs or just that the technology becoming burnt out and redundant.
Initially, pager systems were either wired or wireless based. With the ever increasing progress of technology, wireless has overcome the wired system, which was typically a traditional LCD display mounted to a highly visible area. However, with the introduction of systems such as the iPad and SMS paging, the technology solution to consider for a replacement has become, well, quite more complex.
Today, the nursery paging environment can now be deployed via a multitude of devices. Wireless, wired and now SMS. Yes, and now the trend for these is undeniably shifting towards a system that utilizes a patron’s existing mobile phone or equivalent- SMS paging.
The incumbent nursery pager providers, whose interests are in generally very expensive paging systems, will argue the point that SMS paging is still a truly untried solution, and not everyone carries an SMS-capable mobile phone. This may be the case, but I’m guessing that less than 5% of the population DON’T own a mobile phone, let alone those that actually put their children in some kind of childcare.
As with all technology, this can all be very confusing – and at the time of writing this post I am yet to locate a single iPad nursery application system on the market. However, I’m sure several will be available within the next 6-12 months.
Back to the question at hand though.
A major consideration when upgrading your nursery paging system is whether or not you can you sell your current system? This could radically reduce the cost of your upgrade investment. Obviously this is not really an option if your current system has passed its use-by-date, but if the unit is still in working order, or even just some of the components, then this is certainly an option.
If you are simply looking to upgrade, and looking at using the same provider and deployment, then you may be able to trade-in your current system.
Possibly you could still retain the same base unit, and upgrade the pagers themselves, or even vice versa. In this instance, it would be wise to contact the vendor who supplied your current systems and discuss what options that may be available to you.
If possible, talk to other users about the systems they are using. This will help to evaluate your next system with getting some real user feedback.
Tags: ipad nursery pager, nursery pager solution, nursery pager upgrade, sms nursery paging, used nursery pager, wired nursery paging
If you manage or own a church nursery or workplace creche you may be considering investing in a nursery paging system, whether it be for emergency situations or general communication between staff and also parents. Whatever your reasons for investigating a nursery pager system, it pays to do the research first before making your decision.
What Type Of Nursery Pagers Are There?
There are three common types of nursery paging systems in common use.
Nursery Pager
Wired Nursery Paging
This is the original form of pager system commonly adopted by churches and the least expensive. It involves an LCD screen being installed at a prominent point so that it easily viewed. The screen is wired to a control panel that is operated by nursery staff. Generally, parents are assigned a number when they deliver their children to the nursery. This number can be transmitted to the display when their attendance is required, i.e. if their child has become unwell or upset. Special numbers can also be set-up to alert the entire congregation, i.e. 911 for a general emergency.
Wireless Nursery Paging
Wireless nursery paging eliminates the need for a display screen and allows more discretion and privacy. Essentially, staff or parents are assigned a wireless pager (often referred to as a nursery beeper). Messages are sent via a wireless unit. Depending on the type of unit, the messages can be quite simple, perhaps just a buzz or beep. Some wireless pagers have a built-in LCD display, so that SMS-type messages can be sent. This allows for greater versatility in the type of communication that can be transmitted.
SMS Nursery Paging
One of the newer entrants to the nursery pager market, SMS nursery paging can be run from a computer, or even an iPhone or iPad. Messages are sent to parent’s mobile phone, which allows them the capability to message back as well. As technology improves, the costs of this pager system becomes increasingly more attractive. Specialist software can be obtained for managing this system of nursery paging, allowing for more uses to be implemented, such as tracking child attendance.
So those are essentially the three main types of nursery paging systems for you to evaluate. Each has its own unique benefits, be it cost, ease of use or versatility. The type of system you choose will no doubt boil down to the specific requirements of your organization.
Tags: sms nursery paging, wired nursery paging, wireless nursery paging
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