Commend International and HARMAN Professional Solutions Announce Distribution Partnership

Security communication for road tunnels is the focus of a new distribution partnership agreement announced today by leading security communication provider Commend International and HARMAN Professional Solutions, the global leader in audio, video, lighting and control systems. The companies share a commitment to professional audio and personal safety, which is reflected in their products and solutions in the public infrastructure.

Marketed under the brand “AXYS Tunnel by HARMAN”, HARMAN’s tunnel public address (PA) loudspeakers deliver clear and intelligible PA announcements to the users of the tunnel, ensuring that tunnel operators can deliver clear instructions in even the most challenging of circumstances.
Nick Screen, Director Global Business Development Transportation & Sports Venues, HARMAN Professional Solutions, said: “This is a very exciting opportunity. HARMAN’s dedicated amplification and loudspeakers have been specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of road tunnels and have been trusted to deliver intelligible messages in tunnels for many years. More recently we have seen the demand for a complete ‘microphone to loudspeaker’ solution with greater functionality and interfaces. Commend’s software and hardware in combination with the AXYS Tunnel products will provide customers with a feature-rich solution that will simplify tunnel operations and deliver intelligibility.”

Commend’s communication solution acts as a single communication hub for all mission-critical communication and emergency telephone signals in the tunnel, bringing together all audio and voice communication signals, like public address, intercoms, HF radio broadcasts and mobile emergency service radio.

“We believe intelligible communication ensures citizen safety in tunnels and found our match with HARMAN. Many end users in the traffic and transportation market depend on our control desks, emergency telephones and platform solution to manage their 24/7 communication process. We see an emerging demand for single platform operation, enriched functionalities, multi-site connectivity and cyber security in the tunnel communication landscape. HARMAN’s AXYS Tunnel PA products unified into Commend’s communication platform enables customers to benefit from a future proof and unique single platform solution based on standard products and lessons learned from dozens of installed systems,” said Dennis Krijgsman, Segment Manager, Transport & Infrastructure.

The two systems interface seamlessly, allowing operators and motorists to benefit from a unique combination tunnel security communication, for both inside and outside tunnels.

Commend will leverage its worldwide distribution network to market the integrated Commend/AXYS Tunnel communication solution and will act as distributor of AXYS Tunnel products for the EMEA region. Commend will also provide training and after-sales services to local customers with AXYS Tunnel installations support in accordance with relevant norms and standards. With mobility on the rise and road/tunnel safety a growing issue, operators and motorists stand to profit from the Commend/HARMAN partnership for years to come.

About Commend

Commend is a global provider of communication systems and solutions for emergency and threat response that enable an efficient, quick-responding management of public buildings, industrial facilities and public traffic infrastructures. Whether it’s providing customer service in a noisy car park, managing an emergency situation in an industrial facility or responding to school violence, Commend systems provide reliable assistance in terms of efficient, clear communication and responding to challenging situations. In everyday use, the systems help to ensure economically efficient workflows. Commend is headquartered in Salzburg and employs about 200 staff at its head office, with about 500 people maintaining a global partner network under the Commend Group of companies. The Commend Group is a member of the Dutch-based and stock noted TKH Group (www.tkhgroup.com).

About HARMAN

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In March 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. For more information about HARMAN Professional Solutions products and solutions, visit https://pro.harman.com.