https://icon-vad.co.uk/ - Blog by Jonhttps://icon-vad.co.uk/ - Blog by Jonhttps://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/author/jonThu, 09 Apr 2026 14:29:06 +0200http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[S Series or 7000 series? - Ordering the correct handset type for your system]]>https://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/post/handset-types
 

Spectralink S series or 7000 series


The Spectralink 7000 range of DECT handsets was introduced in 2010 and spanned 12 different models including budget models, office use, devices for healthcare and industry and lone worker devices. In 2024, the 7000 series was superseded by the S series, which brings a rationalised and focused set of handsets with only 3 handset models and accessories such as chargers, battery chargers, multi-chargers and other accessories which are common throughout the range.


S33 – General use handset with Basic messaging

S35 – Rugged, Commercial grade handset with Advanced messaging

S37 – Rugged, Commercial grade handset with Advanced messaging and lone worker / man-down capability



The S Series handsets are officially supported for the following controllers

    • IP-DECT Server 400, 6500 and VIP One from software PCS22Cb which was released in Q3 2022. 
    • DECT Server 2500 and 8000 from software PCS23Ab which was released in Q1 2023
    • S1000 Controller – all software versions


The S Series handsets are not supported on controllers running older versions of software than those listed above. In this scenario there are two options:

1) To use the S Series handsets, upgrade the system to the latest release of software which will require a current Software Assurance license. IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS THE UPGRADE METHOD WITH ICON TECHNICAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING A FIRMWARE UPGRADE.

Software upgrades can take 2-3 hours depending on the age and software level of the controller and base stations.  ICON can provide remote technical resource to upgrade the software.  Talk to your account manager for more information.

2) Continue using 7000 series handsets - check with ICON for availability of 7000 series handsets

 

The S Series handsets are not supported on controllers not listed above. For these systems continue using the 7000 series handsets - check with ICON for availability of 7000 series handsets 

 

Important note about Mk 1 IP DECT Base Stations

The Mk 1 IP DECT Base Station was superseded by the Mk 2 IP DECT Base Stations in 2013. With the release of controller software PCS22Aa the Mk 1 IP DECT Base Stations are no longer supported. This means that the S Series handsets are not compatible with the Mk 1 IP DECT Base Station since the minimum required software to the S Series handsets is PCS22Cc

 

To confirm which version of IP Base Stations are installed at a site the easiest method is to look at the bottom of the IP Base Stations. 

 

MKI base stations have a single RJ45 network port. 


MKII base stations have two ports; a RJ45 network port and a RJ12 connector for 8V DC power


To be certain, check the label on the back of the IP DECT Base Station. In the example below, part number 0233 7400 indicates that it is a Mk 2 IP DECT Base Station. Mk 1 IP DECT Base Stations have a part number of 02337300.


Above all, if you are a trained engineer and you need advice please talk to your account manager who will be happy to help you.

]]>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:22:09 +0000<![CDATA[A New Era in Elderly Care]]>https://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/post/nourish_jun25

Vayyar 4D Radar Sensor Integrates
​with Nourish Care Platform

A New Era in Elderly Care

In a significant advancement for elderly care technology, Vayyar Imaging has announced the integration of its cutting-edge 4D radar sensor with the Nourish Care Platform. This collaboration aims to enhance the safety and well-being of seniors, providing caregivers with powerful tools to monitor and support their loved ones.


What is Vayyar's 4D Radar Sensor?

Vayyar's 4D radar sensor is a state-of-the-art device that utilises radio frequency technology to create detailed imaging and tracking capabilities. Unlike traditional sensors, Vayyar has no cameras or lenses, meaning that seniors can be monitored without invasive devices, thereby, preserving their comfort and dignity.

Vayyar's technology can detect falls, self-recovered falls and unusual movements, alerting caregivers immediately. This proactive approach enhances safety and can significantly reduce the risk of serious injuries among seniors.

Continuous monitoring of presence and vital signs allows for early detection of health issues, ensuring that caregivers can respond quickly to any changes in a senior's condition. The optional web dashboard and INVOLVE app from Vayyar also provides caregivers with valuable data analytics, helping them make informed decisions about care plans and interventions.


The Nourish Care Platform

The Nourish Care Platform is designed to streamline care management for seniors, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for caregivers. By integrating Vayyar's radar technology, the platform can now provide real-time insights into the health and safety of elderly individuals. This integration allows caregivers to receive a wealth of information, therefore enabling timely interventions.


Conclusion

The collaboration between Vayyar Imaging and the Nourish Care Platform marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of elderly care technology. By harnessing the power of 4D radar sensing, this integration not only enhances safety and health monitoring but also respects the dignity of seniors. As technology continues to advance, such innovations will play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for elderly individuals and their caregivers alike.

Get Started Now
]]>Fri, 27 Jun 2025 15:21:32 +0000<![CDATA[Streamlining Care with Vayyar Care and PCS Integration]]>https://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/post/PCS_Integration

Streamlining Care with Vayyar Care and PCS Integration


Person Centered Software

In the fast-paced world of caregiving, having timely and accurate information can make all the difference in ensuring the best possible outcomes for those in need. Vayyar Care, known for its private, non-invasive fall detection and monitoring, has taken another leap forward by integrating with PCS (Person-Centered Software). This new feature automatically logs fall detection events as care notes, delivering efficiency, accuracy, and much-needed peace of mind for caregivers and families.

Falls are a major concern in caregiving, particularly when it comes to older adults. Quick response times and thorough documentation are essential for reducing risks such as delayed medical attention or repeat incidents. That’s where this integration shines—by automating the logging process, Vayyar Care and PCS help caregivers track and respond to fall events more easily while upholding a high standard of care.


When the Vayyar Care sensor detects a fall, it automatically generates a short care note and adds it directly to the PCS software. This note includes the date and time of the incident, creating a real-time record that caregivers can rely on. For those needing more details, the Vayyar INVOLVE web dashboard offers deeper insights, such as the exact location and circumstances of the fall, enabling more informed decision-making.


For caregivers, who are often juggling numerous responsibilities, this automation is a game-changer. It eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving valuable time and allowing them to focus on providing compassionate, hands-on care. Manual logging, especially in high-pressure environments, can sometimes lead to errors or omissions. The automated care note feature ensures every fall is recorded accurately and reliably, creating a trustworthy log for all involved.


Beyond the summary care note, the Vayyar INVOLVE web dashboard provides a comprehensive analysis of each fall event. This includes specifics like the precise time and location, which can help caregivers and administrators identify patterns and take proactive fall prevention action. It’s a powerful tool for enhancing safety while fostering better understanding of each resident’s unique needs.


This integration also improves team communication. With fall detection events clearly logged, staff can share information more effectively, ensuring continuity of care and reducing the risk of miscommunication. It also supports compliance efforts by providing detailed and systematic documentation, which is invaluable for audits or quality assurance reviews.


A Partnership for Better Care

The collaboration between Vayyar Care and PCS represents a shared vision: making caregiving simpler, more efficient, and more effective. By combining advanced monitoring technology with intuitive software, this integration strengthens the trust and reliability that families and residents place in care providers.


In Conclusion

Automating care notes for fall detection may seem like a small step, but it delivers tremendous benefits for caregivers, administrators, and residents alike. It sets a new standard for efficiency and reliability in caregiving. Whether you’re managing a care facility or working directly with residents, this feature ensures that every fall is documented, every moment is accounted for, and every individual is supported with the utmost care and attention.


Talk to your account manager for more information.


Click here to visit the PCS blog and read their perspective on the Vayyar - PCS partnership.


]]>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:35:02 +0000<![CDATA[The Benefits of a 45-Degree Mount for the Vayyar Care Sensor]]>https://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/post/45-degree-mounting

The Benefits of a 45-Degree Mount for the Vayyar Care Sensor


In the world of advanced safety technology, the Vayyar Care sensor has become a trusted solution for monitoring and protecting vulnerable individuals. With its groundbreaking capabilities, it’s not just about offering safety—it’s about doing so discreetly, efficiently, and seamlessly. The introduction of the 45-degree mounting option for high-wall installations with a downward tilt takes this objective a step further.


The traditional wall-mounted Vayyar sensor can be blocked by obstacles such as furniture or other physical obstructions, which can interfere with their ability to monitor effectively. The 45-degree mount eliminates this issue by positioning the sensor at an optimal angle, providing a clear and unobstructed view of the monitored area. This improvement ensures reliable coverage, even in rooms with complex layouts or heavy furnishings, making it ideal for use in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms.


Safety technology doesn’t have to compromise on aesthetics. High-wall installation with a 45-degree tilt blends seamlessly into room environments, avoiding the “tech clutter” look. By placing the sensor higher up, it becomes less noticeable and more harmonious with the room’s design, while still maintaining its powerful capabilities.


The 45-degree mount is perfect for high-traffic or challenging spaces, in rooms with frequent activity or areas that are harder to monitor, such as large living rooms or narrow hallways.  The downward tilt of the sensor not only ensures comprehensive coverage, it reduces blind spots and moves the sensor out of the way whilst remaining discreet.


In summary, the Vayyar Care sensor’s new 45-degree mounting option is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a testament to thoughtful design. By addressing limitations like furniture blockage, power reliability, and aesthetics, this innovation ensures that safety and convenience go hand in hand.


Talk to your account manager for more information.

]]>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:29:34 +0000<![CDATA[The Potentially Catastrophic Consequences of Unattended Alarms]]>https://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/post/unattended-alarms

Why BlueSky is the Future of Healthcare Safety



In UK hospitals, where the stakes for safety and operational continuity are incredibly high, Building Management Systems (BMS) play a critical role in raising alarms for various situations—from minor issues to life-threatening events like power failures in critical care units. Unfortunately, traditional manual alarm management processes can result in delays, increasing the risk of catastrophic consequences.


Enter BlueSkyMessaging, an advanced digital alarm management solution designed to enhance safety and efficiency. BlueSky automates the dispatching of alarms, ensuring critical alerts are delivered to the right personnel on devices such as smartphones, DECT handsets, and even specialised healthcare tools. By eliminating manual processes, the system reduces response times and provides dynamic incident information, improving outcomes for staff and patients alike.


BlueSky's comprehensive modules extend beyond alarms, offering solutions for incident management (IncidentTraxx), route tracking for security and porters (RouteTraxx), and even cutting-edge patient safety technology, such as fall detection via 4D radar sensors. These features, combined with robust audit trails and compliance tools, make BlueSky an indispensable part of modern healthcare infrastructure.

To discover how BlueSky can transform alarm management and elevate operational safety in your facility, contact ICON today.

Click here to read the full Healthcare Estates Journal article.

]]>Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:06:34 +0000<![CDATA[Unlocking New Horizons with the Vayyar Care V42 Release]]>https://www.icon-vad.co.uk/blogs/post/vayyarv42

Unlocking New Horizons with the Vayyar Care v42 Release

Download Release Notes


In the fast-evolving world of fall detection technology, Vayyar Imaging continues to lead the charge with their innovative solutions. The latest release, Vayyar Care V42, delivers significant advancements, cementing its place as a frontrunner in non-intrusive, radar-based caregiving systems.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new features and improvements in this major update.


Key Highlights of the V42 Release

The V42 release builds on the strong foundation of its predecessors, introducing a suite of enhancements designed to improve reliability, usability, and adaptability.

1. Smarter Fall Detection

False alarms can cause unnecessary anxiety and the introduction of the “False Alarm” mitigator in V40 was a great leap forward, significantly reducing false alarms by over 50%. 

V42 sees the release of an enhanced "False Alarm" Mitigator, where users will experience a futher 30% improvement in accuracy compared to the previous iteration This feature employs a new tracker profile configuration for heightened reliability in bedrooms and bathrooms.


2. Enhanced Bed and Room Status Monitoring

  • Empty Bed Status: A revamped algorithm reduces false alarms by 20%, ensuring caregivers are alerted only when necessary.
  • Empty Room Status: Now supports dry contact interface configurations, streamlining integration with various environments.

3. New High Wall Tilt Installation Option

This innovative mounting option addresses common challenges like furniture obstruction, power accessibility, and aesthetic concerns. With a 45° tilt, this configuration ensures optimal line of sight while maintaining a sleek, unobtrusive design.


4. Improved Presence Reporting

A new configuration allows the disabling of periodic presence reports. This flexibility caters to diverse user needs, ensuring better alignment with facility protocols.



Bug Fixes and Stability Enhancements

The V42 release isn't just about new features; it also addresses critical stability issues:

  • Improved Wi-Fi connectivity to minimise disruptions.
  • Resolved a factory reset bug that previously affected offline devices.
  • Added SSL certificate verification to enhance cloud security.


Configuration Updates

Notable changes include:

  • LED Policy Change: Users can now choose between "ErrorsOnly," "AllEvents," or a completely inactive LED mode to avoid disruptions.
  • Backup NTP Servers: Improved resilience in time synchronisation with support for multiple backup servers.
  • Device API Updates: Expanded functionality—details available in the Knowledge Center.


Known Limitations

While the V42 update brings numerous improvements, certain limitations persist:

  • Upgrading directly from versions earlier than V40.X is unsupported.
  • Ceiling-mounted installations are recommended for best results with presence and empty room detection.
  • Some hardware limitations restrict simultaneous use of secondary dry contact and the buzzer.


Why Upgrade to V42?

Vayyar Care V42 isn’t just an update—it’s another leap forward in caregiving technology. With enhanced accuracy, a host of new features, and critical bug fixes, this release is a must-have for healthcare providers seeking to optimise their monitoring systems. Vayyar Care V42 proves once again that the future of caregiving lies in intelligent, adaptive technology that prioritises both precision and ease of use. 


To learn more about upgrading your system or for assistance with installation, contact your account manager.







Download Release Notes
]]>Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:47:34 +0000