Myself, and Cost Plus and Meijer use what is called a SNOM PA1.
A SNOM PA1 acts like a SIP phone, but is just a paging module, you mount next to your amplifier. You'd need to buy a third party SIP license (if you don't have one already) to run a non Avaya SIP Phone.
Simple setup:
1- Plug Snom PA1 into a network switch near the amplifier
2A- If you have a separate amplifier such as a TOA or Bogen, that you could run into the auditorium area, Run a RCA cable from the Snom's Audio Output to an unbalanced RCA input on the amplifier (same as a CD player or MP3 player input or record player, haha)
2B- Use the external speaker output on the SNOM PA1 to tie into any PA speakers, the SNOM doesn't require you to use SIP speakers.
3-Set the Snom up on the IP Office and on the Snom gui by accessing it via the DHCP IP address your system assigns it. (when the SNOM is Plugged into the amplifer, there is a button you can press and the IP address of the unit will broadcast across the PA system to let you know it's IP address)
4-Once the phone is setup, dial the extension such as 301 or whatever extension you assign.
5-A tone will broadcast and then you can page. (If interested I can tell you how to turn the tone off) You will hear the most incredibly clear telephone system page you've ever heard. I cannot believe the audio quality, it sounds like hearing the PA system at Soldier Field during a Bears game.
A friend who works for Meijer told me that when they replaced their older Bogen system with these SNOM PA1's the 200,000 square foot store paging sounded extremely clear and just plain beautiful.
Additionally you can set up a short code to access the extension.
It's that simple.
Joseph Sus Jr. Nortel Emetrotel Consultant