Critical Communication Solutions That Meet the Middle East’s Growing Demands

With over three decades of experience in voice communication systems, Chenguttuvan Tamilarasan, General Manager for Safety & Security at Zenitel Middle East Onshore, has witnessed firsthand how infrastructure development in the Middle East has reshaped expectations for critical communication solutions.

Working closely with architects and engineering (A&E) consultants, he and his team play a pivotal role in shaping smart, secure communication systems from the ground up.

We spoke to Chenguttuvan about the region’s unique demands, how early-stage collaboration makes a difference, and why Zenitel Connect Pro is redefining unified communication platforms.

Early-Stage PAVA Considerations Are Crucial

You’ve been actively working with architects and engineering consultants (A&E) across the Middle East. Could you tell us about your experience?

“We have an expert team at Zenitel Middle East with over 30 years of experience in voice communication solutions, including deep expertise in acoustic design,” Chenguttuvan explains.

“We bring this knowledge to A&Es, while also learning from the latest demands by the clients, helping bridge the knowledge gaps, especially as they are often tasked with managing a wide range of security technologies.”

From high-level design during the concept phase to detailed acoustic planning in the final delivery, Zenitel works closely with consultants on everything from audio zone design to speaker selection and placement.

“As a technology leader, we go beyond traditional support, offering proactive guidance on emerging technologies, cybersecurity best practices, and integration possibilities with other systems,” he adds.

What are some of the key knowledge gaps you're helping bridge when it comes to Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) solutions?

“Very often, customers don’t consider the multifunctional potential of our PAVA system. For example, our Vipedia range is not only tested and certified for safety communications, but can also be used for comfort applications, such as playing background music (BGM) in stadiums, “Chenguttuvan explained.

“We are proud to be the critical communication partner for the World Expo 2020 Dubai project, where we work together with the client representative, Project Management team, and other contractors to realise the site-wide hybrid audio solution that combined Zenitel IP based critical communication with Dante network for BGM application.”

“Not only does the merging of the comfort and emergency system make for a more unified and streamlined solution, but it also offers substantial reductions in upfront delivery, installation, and ongoing whole life costs.” says Chenguttuvan.

PAVA Requirements for the Middle East Region

The Middle East has a unique and dynamic infrastructure landscape. What are some region-specific requirements you’ve encountered for critical communication systems?

Middle East is a real hotpot for new developments. We witness the growing landscape on a daily basis. This is really an excellent opportunity for us as customers are seeking for a long-term partner who deliver communication solutions that can evolve and scale with their needs.

That’s why Zenitel’s Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) solutions are designed with flexible scalability options at their core. Our solution gives them flexibility to combine centralised and decentralised architectures and rackmount or wall-mount installation, dynamic configuration options for zone count and output power and more.

Whether it's a single PA controller covering a local area or a multi-cluster system supporting a large-scale multi-site deployment with unlimited power output possibilities, our PAVA makes the system upgrades smoother.

We add an extra layer of scalability with our extensive unified critical communication portfolio that enable you to meet all your communication needs, including IP public address, voice alarm, and intercoms within one unified platform.

Unified Critical Communication in the Middle East

Could you please tell us about Zenitel’s latest addition to critical communication, the Zenitel Connect Pro? How can customers make the most of its capabilities?

“Zenitel Connect Pro is more than just a system interface. It’s a unified, scalable platform for managing operational, security, and safety audio communications in a completely new way,” Chenguttuvan emphasizes.

The platform supports seamless integration with third-party systems, role-based access, and centralized monitoring.

“We’re engaging with some of the key stakeholders in the industry, from civil defence and airports to healthcare and correctional facilities, so they can understand how to fully leverage Zenitel Connect Pro in their operations.”

Can you elaborate on the Zenitel Connect Pro’s unification possibilities and its benefits to the end-users?

“Yes, certainly. We bring both Safety Communications (generally known as Public Address and Voice Evacuation) and Security & operational Communications (Intercom/IP Speakers) into one single platform where we also have the possibility to integrate with other Operational Audio Communication Systems such as PABX, UHF/VHF Radio, DECT etc.

This level of integration makes it possible to use all available resources in the campus by the user to achieve higher operational efficiency both in critical situation as well as normal operational condition. Further integration with a Security Management platform, including Video Management System and/or PSIM makes the integrated solutions even more efficient.

Can you share a recent success story in the region that demonstrates the impact of Zenitel’s technology?

“One of our standout deployments is with one of the leading Civil Defence Authorities in the Middle Eastern region. We’re rolling out Zenitel Connect Pro to manage alarm and operational message dispatch across multiple fire stations,” Chenguttuvan shares.
“What makes this project unique is the integration with the client’s custom management software, which meets strict cybersecurity standards. Once it’s fully live, it will be a strong example of what modern, efficient, and secure communication systems can look like.”

Looking Ahead

With Chenguttuvan and the Zenitel Middle East team leading the charge, the region is gaining access to smarter, more secure communication infrastructure, purpose-built for complexity, scale, and long-term value.

"This is about more than hardware," Chenguttuvan concludes. "It’s about giving consultants and clients the knowledge and tools to make better decisions - right from the start."