World-leading arts and entertainment venue the Southbank Centre has deployed an advanced Xfin radio communications system to optimise communications between staff, streamline all operations and enhance the overall customer experience for the centre's 14 million annual visitors.

The 12-channel single site radio system is to be used by all staff at the centre, including security personnel, production and event management teams, artists and performers, caterers, cleaners and facilities management staff, to ensure a co-ordinated approach to site management.

Designed and deployed by systems integrator EARS plc, the Xfin trunked radio system from Team Simoco will operate across the whole of the 21-acre site, providing resilient 2-way voice communications for staff working at any of the centre's locations, and enabling them to respond effectively in any situation.

Operating out of historic buildings along the south bank of the Thames, including the Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Purcell Room, the Southbank Centre presents around 1,000 paid performances of music, dance and literature, as well as dynamic education programmes and major art exhibitions.

The radio solution in place has been customised to meet the specific needs of production staff. Handsets have been interfaced to support both the trunked radio system for site-wide 2-way communications and the studio ring, allowing multi-way communication for production staff in the theatre environment.

250 hand portables, fixed mobile units and a PC dispatcher in the central operations room ensure all staff are able to communicate effectively, to aid the the smooth running of all on-site operations.

Stephen Smith, regional account manager at EARS plc said: "The Southbank Centre hosts 14 million visitors annually, over a 21-acre area stretching from Jubilee Gardens to Blackfriars. The Xfin trunked radio system from Team Simoco best meets the complex communications requirements of the centre, providing enhanced radio coverage and guaranteeing mission-critical communications in any scenario.

"Resilience and business continuity were key issues for the Southbank Centre. Infrastructure has been deployed in two locations to ensure business as usual in any eventuality. In addition, the voice recorder and all associated equipment benefit from a combined 12 and 24 volt full battery back-up system for continuous run within a power outage of up to four hours."

EARS plc has deployed a 12-channel, single-site dual system together with a complex split antenna and Team Simoco X-Fin Blade System. The Team Simoco Blade System installed at the Southbank Centre is a unique combined system that enables the customer to have an integrated trunked radio solution within a single wall or rack-mounted unit.

EARS plc worked closely with the IT team at the Southbank Centre to ensure installation went smoothly. According to Mark Pountney IT Director for the Southbank Centre: "The hard work and commitment shown by the team at EARS over the two-week deployment period has been greatly appreciated - a timely response to any issue ensured the system was successfully up-and-running within just two-weeks."