NIKOS – Volksfest

Crowd Management for Oktoberfest in Munich

autonomous reliable cost-effective

NIKOS is not a conventional PA system, but a radio-based public address, alarm and control system for large events, construction sites and crisis situations, which you can rent by the day through certified partners and either integrate into your PA or use on its own.

Challenge

Effectively directing visitor flows in crowded conditions

Oktoberfest in Munich brings together dense crowds, persistently high background noise and international visitors. In confusing situations, visitor flows must be managed quickly, while warnings and instructions must be communicated clearly and understandably. When visitor density is high, the mobile network is often overloaded and is therefore not suitable as the sole basis for safety-critical communication.

Solution

One unified solution for everyday use and emergencies

Announcements, system monitoring, crowd management and device control come together with NIKOS in a single platform independent of the public network. NIKOS [dispatcher]² enables central announcements and remote control of connected functions for crowd management at Oktoberfest. NIKOS [audio]² interrupts the performers’ sound systems for the duration of an announcement and uses them for public-address messages. This eliminates the need for separate sound systems, additional cabling and the management of individual subsystems.

FAQ

Information for planners and organisers

Is NIKOS designed to meet the relevant standards for announcements?+
Yes, indeed: NIKOS meets the requirements of DIN EN 50849 for electroacoustic emergency warning systems. The system was developed specifically for safety-relevant announcements and alerting and is technically designed for both everyday operation and emergency situations. DIN EN 50849 represents the relevant reference framework for ELA systems. Unlike mobile network-based systems, NIKOS does not depend on any external network and is therefore immediately ready for use at all times — fully meeting the standard as a result. Other standards known from safety technology, such as DIN EN 54, DIN VDE 0833-4 and DIN 14675 (voice alarm systems), do not apply to NIKOS, as they are not applicable to radio-based public address systems like NIKOS. NIKOS is a public address system for temporary and mobile applications and has been used successfully many times for mission-critical communication tasks since 2017. RADACOM and your regional NIKOS partner will be happy to advise you on the wide range of NIKOS functions and support you in implementing the requirements cost-effectively.
Does NIKOS remain functional when the mobile network is overloaded?+
Yes. NIKOS operates via its own autonomous radio network and independently of public communication networks. Since NIKOS does not rely on wired connections but communicates via radio, the connection is automatically re-established after an interruption. NIKOS [audio]² has an internal battery with up to 16 hours of runtime and also powers connected accessory modules. This means that crowd management at Oktoberfest remains reliably functional even in the event of a power failure or disruptions to public communication networks.
Where does NIKOS provide cost benefits?+
NIKOS combines various functions on a single communication platform. This offsets rental and installation costs through savings on personnel and additional equipment. NIKOS mainly reduces the effort required for separate loudspeaker, control and communication solutions. Material requirements and cabling work are reduced, and information and emergency announcements can be made from a single location. Central announcements, remote control and status monitoring replace distributed security, reporting and operator posts across the site. This either reduces staffing requirements or allows personnel to be deployed at safety-critical points. At fenced events such as festivals and corporate events, NIKOS technically monitors emergency exit gates. Security personnel stationed at emergency exits are no longer required and can be assigned to other safety-critical tasks. For temporary, time-limited events, NIKOS significantly reduces the costs of planning, installing and operating safety technology.
Can NIKOS be deployed at short notice and flexibly?+
Yes. NIKOS was specifically developed for flexible outdoor deployments without permanent infrastructure. One or two people can mount the modules on various structures, such as lampposts, stages, stands or trees, within just a few minutes and configure them individually. A standard Schuko power connection is sufficient for continuous operation.
Crowd Management for Oktoberfest in Munich: Where can NIKOS be rented?+
NIKOS is rented by the day through certified partners, including advice, instruction and technical support. Your regional partner coordinates the deployment with you. Find a partner and request a rental

Rent NIKOS for your operation

Talk to us about your requirements – we will advise you with no obligation.

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