Barix AG - Experts & Thought Leaders

Barix will bring AI-driven customization to InfoComm with the introduction of a new Claude AI-ready framework for its FLEXA family of Audio over IP and control devices. The new development environment simplifies application creation for AV professionals, systems integrators and in-house technology managers by enabling AI-assisted programming on Barix’s proven FLEXA hardware platform. Barix’s FLEXA architecture combines purpose-built hardware, optimized firmware and proprietary Audio over IP libraries to help users quickly create customized applications using AI-generated code. The new framework is optimized for Claude AI through custom-developed Barix “AI Skills” that improve first-time coding success rates while leveraging Barix’s extensive Audio over IP expertise and software libraries. AI-assisted programming The AI-enabled ecosystem will initially support four FLEXA products: the MPI400 FLEXA intercom and I/O device, the M400 FLEXA stereo encoder/decoder, the LX400 FLEXA professional broadcast codec and the Barionet M44 FLEXA programmable networked I/O controller. The new AI framework reflects Barix’s longstanding philosophy of providing customers with open and programmable solutions while significantly lowering the barrier to custom development. “The introduction of the latest Claude AI models has democratised application development,” said Reto Brader, CEO, Barix. “You no longer need to be a programming expert to write programs for well-defined platforms. Barix has always provided customer-programmable platforms, but with the advent of AI, many more people can now take advantage of the programmable capabilities built into our hardware.” Highly specific functionality Brader added that the new framework is especially valuable for customers requiring highly specific functionality that previously would have required expensive custom software development. “There was often a hefty price tag associated with very-specific programming efforts, especially with products that have a very defined market appeal,” said Brader. “Thanks to AI, customers can now create their own solutions without paying large sums for software development. We are helping our customers enable all applications at an affordable price, no matter how specific.” Automatic answering systems Barix expects strong interest across a broad range of commercial AV, broadcast and facility control applications. The company’s Barionet M44 FLEXA controller already supports use cases ranging from building automation systems to car wash facilities, while the company’s Audio over IP platforms have proven attractive for customized SIP VoIP gateways, automatic answering systems and other communications applications. The new AI framework complements rather than replaces the company’s established turnkey products and firmware solutions. “Mainstream applications like Audio over IP encoding and decoding will continue to be solutions customers buy from Barix as turnkey systems,” said Brader. “If a need has larger market potential, Barix will continue to develop and maintain solutions for customers. AI-programmable solutions fill the gap where customized development was previously prohibitively expensive.” Robust firmware layer The FLEXA platform provides the foundation for that customization through a robust firmware layer built on Barix’s more than 20 years of Audio over IP expertise. The architecture supports cloud deployment, remote firmware updates, cybersecurity scanning and certified global compliance standards including CE, FCC and RoHS. The FLEXA framework also builds on Barix’s long history of programmable hardware. More than 20 years ago, the company introduced Barix Control Language (BCL) to enable device programming for advanced users. “AI is the natural continuation of our effort to help customers customize our products,” said Brader. “The difference today is that the FLEXA firmware, the Claude AI Skills and the supporting development tools make that customization accessible to far more people without requiring traditional programming skills.” Barix will demonstrate the Claude AI-enabled FLEXA ecosystem at InfoComm 2026 in Booth N7317. InfoComm 2026 runs June 17-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Barix celebrates its 25th year in business at InfoComm with the launch of a new Annuncicom two-way audio solution that continues its legacy of bridging analog systems with IP networks. To be shown at Booth 2832, the new Annuncicom AHE-YA404 gives integrators an all-in-one solution to modernise legacy 2 or 4-wire intercom and paging solutions without the need to replace existing cabling or call stations. Legacy intercom panels Specifically, the Annuncicom AHE-YA404 is a powerful analog headend with integrated VoIP SIP support and onboard amplification. The 1RU device enables seamless paging and intercom functionality from standard SIP phone to as many as 16 individual legacy intercom panels. Importantly, the AHE-YA404 offers direct connection to speaker/microphone and call-button panels without the need to replace existing cabling or call stations. Upon establishing connectivity, the headend enables two-way HDX communication and room monitoring within help points, emergency intercoms, and security systems among other applications. Internet security standards The Annuncicom product line is one of Barix’s core flagship brands dating back to company’s earliest years The Annuncicom product line is one of Barix’s core flagship brands dating back to company’s earliest years, and represents the company’s legacy in bidirectional voice and audio over IP products for use in almost any application and business vertical.  The Annuncicom AHE-YA404 carries that legacy forward with a modern hardware and software architecture that ensures long-term reliability, full compliance with current internet security standards, and easy adaptation to specific customer needs. Annuncicom AHE-YA404 Like all modern Barix Audio over IP devices, the Annuncicom AHE-YA404 supports a wide range of professional audio environments including Dante®, SIP, InformaCast, and Syn-Apps, and handles popular codecs such as PCM, AACplus, MP3, OPUS, G.711, and G.722.  Advanced features include priority-based paging, background music, and scheduled or network-triggered audio file playback — features that strengthen its value proposition as an all-in-one solution. Analog intercom systems “Barix has a rich legacy of bringing paging and intercom systems at schools, hospitals, factories, train stations and more onto IP networks. That includes building bridges to SIP functionality to efficiently manage connections for voice calls over the network,” said Reto Brader, CEO, Barix. Reto Brader adds, “Our latest Annuncicom innovation allows our customers to upgrade their analog intercom systems without removing cables and intercom panels, providing integrators with a direct and accelerated path to IP paging and intercom that keeps costs and labor manageable for all involved.” InfoComm takes place June 11-13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

Barix has unveiled the Exstreamer M400 IP Audio Decoder, the first model in a new generation of the company’s renowned Exstreamer IP audio decoder family. The new hardware continues the Exstreamer series traditions as robust and reliable, but also cost-effective devices. It offers end users and systems integrators, a modern, extensible, and easy-to-deploy decoder platform, supporting the latest technology standards. Exstreamer M400 IP Audio Decoder Our earlier Exstreamer products helped make Barix a leader in streaming decoders" “Our earlier Exstreamer products helped make Barix a leader in streaming decoders and earned a strong reputation for their longevity, exceptional audio quality, and feature-richness,” said Davide Nossa, Product Manager at Barix. Davide Nossa adds, “We are excited to continue the Exstreamer family’s hallmarks on a modern hardware foundation that offers customers more of everything - more power, more flexibility, more security features, more protocols supported, and more extensibility for the future. More than 20 years of IP audio experience and market expertise went into our development of the Exstreamer M400, creating a decoder platform that integrators and users can trust for their AV needs today and in the future.” Powered by IPAM 400 audio module Powered by Barix’s Linux-based IPAM 400 audio module, the Exstreamer M400 has higher processing power than previous Exstreamer models and a more programmable, software-driven architecture for easier expansion, rapid prototyping, and customization. An increased buffer size and advanced buffer management technology improve network performance disruptions. Expanded support for IT security standards includes HTTPS, support for audio streams and the web-based management interface, plus secure, encrypted SIP (voice-over-IP) communications using TLS and SRTP. System Configuration Tool Installation of multiple Exstreamer M400 units can be integrated via the System Configuration Tool. A dash board enables multiple devices to be grouped in zones and to specify up to five prioritized source streams for each unit. For example, emergency notifications can be set to override background music playback, as well as the relative volume of each stream. Settings can be copied from one Exstreamer M400 to multiple others simultaneously to significantly speed up multi-unit configuration. Ideal for IP audio applications The Exstreamer M400 features stereo, line-level, analog audio output with RCA-type connections The Exstreamer M400 features stereo, line-level, analog audio output with RCA-type connections and can decode streams in MP3, AAC-HE, FLAC, PCM, Opus, and Ogg Vorbis formats, as well as supporting SIP and secure SIP in peer-to-peer and server modes. Other new features relative to earlier Exstreamer models include IPV6 support, internal audio file storage with externally-triggered playback, and support for Singlewire Software’s InformaCast and Syn-Apps (now part of Intrado) emergency notification platforms with automatic endpoint registration.  The Exstreamer M400 initially targets IP audio applications in the professional AV market, including background music, paging, SIP/VoIP integration, and emergency notifications. Direct support for Barix’s flagship IC Paging and Simple Paging solutions, scheduled for release later in Q2, will allow Exstreamer M400s to be easily added as endpoints. AES67 support for high-quality audio transport The highly extensible device will also be expanded with robust functionality for radio broadcasters in future firmware updates, such as AES67 support for high-quality audio transport between facilities and interoperability with Dante-based devices. Such upgradeability is a key advantage of the Exstreamer M400 IP Audio Decoder’s Linux-based architecture, supporting Barix’s mission of continual improvement, while enabling Barix engineers to quickly customize device firmware to meet customer requirements. Modern API A modern Application Programming Interface (API) is planned for future release for developers, replacing earlier Exstreamer models’ older CGI control specification, as part of Barix’s commitment to support the latest technology standards.