Chicomm Blog

When it comes to effective communications technology in education, it’s clear that cell phones can no longer meet the dual demands of day-to-day school operations and safety.

School District 214, the second-largest high school district in Illinois, was one of our many education clients to recognize that they needed a secure communications equipment solution that would give personnel the power to communicate instantly and reliably.  

The video and summary below provide a technology in education case study of how we created a integrated, seamless communications infrastructure that has increased school safety and optimized the district’s daily operations.

The case for investing in a mobile command center (MCC) for police departments and other public safety agencies is strong – they’re easily customizable, can be as high-tech as you need them to be, and they’re appropriate for a wide variety of use cases.

With the proper mobile command center, police officers and first responders have the ability to host all of their necessary functions in a single area, all while being able to move throughout their community as needed.

As public safety technology and 911 Communications continue to evolve, the benefits for investing in a mobile command center are as compelling as ever.

Motorola Solutions recently launched an exciting expansion of its warranty and service program for select MOTOTRBO two-way radios that’s called Essential Services.

Essential Services has two options, and all covered radios and repeaters purchased after July 16, 2018, will automatically be included. The plans can also be added to radios bought before that date, and it applies to all MOTOTRBO repeaters. For details, it’s best to contact us about existing coverage.

The program marks a shift for Motorola – and a boost for customers – so here’s a closer look at what it all means.

Ask users in industries from retail, to manufacturing to healthcare, and they’ll all say MotoTrbo systems were designed just for them.

With a range of high-powered capabilities, MotoTrbo platforms are as diverse as the industries that use them. No matter the size of the team or geography, there’s a MotoTrbo two-way radio communications solution that’s a perfect fit.

It’s no wonder why so many companies and industries use MotoTrbo systems to take their communications to the next level.

If you’re generally aware that a distributed antenna system can fix poor connectivity in your building but you aren’t quite clear about how the solution works, we’ve got a great whiteboard video that walks you through the process.

A distributed antenna system, also known as a DAS, is a highly effective way to instantly improve cell phone coverage and two-way radio range.

In just two minutes, the whiteboard video explains:

• What Distributed Antenna Systems Are
• Parts Contained in a Distributed Antenna System
• How DAS Solutions are Custom Built and Installed

Let's be honest, cell phones are a wonderful tool for personal communications; but when it comes to cell phones or two-way radios for work or public safety, the fact is that no phone, no matter how smart, can compete.

People who work in education, manufacturing, healthcare or public safety simply can’t rely on cell phone technology, and two-way radio communications offer so many more relevant benefits for nearly every situation.

From longer battery life to lower cost of ownership, here are 10 benefits to consider when deciding between cell phones or two-way radios.

When looking into improving your in-building communication, you'll probably come across the term bi-directional amplifier or BDA. If you’re experiencing issues such as dead zones or spotty reception, you know how frustrating poor coverage can be, causing both lost productivity and even safety issues.  

The BDA is a tool used to boost wireless signals, typically in large buildings like campuses, hospitals, hotels, or manufacturing plants, and they help your two-way radios and smartphones avoid dropping calls or receiving spotty coverage.

In short, a bi-directional amplifier is a device that locates a wireless signal, amplifies it, and then rebroadcasts it throughout your building. This blog provides more insight into how this actually happens, and next steps to take if you think a BDA might solve your communications problems.

Complying with requirements for public safety DAS, or distributed antenna systems, can be daunting for everyone involved, including the municipal officials in charge of enforcement.

Developers, contractors and building owners are looking to municipalities to offer guidance, oversee testing and ultimately give the blessing for building occupancy permits. It can be a lot of information to keep track of, especially when the stakes are so high.

For building owners and municipal officials asking and fielding questions about public safety DAS, here’s a quick reference guide to keep handy.

The future of healthcare technology is an exciting landscape of better overall health, enhanced hospital safety and seamless access to information – all powered by wireless communications.

Digital two-way radios, IP phones, radio frequency identification and smartphone apps for healthcare, as well as upgrades to more traditional communications systems such as nurse call systems, are all playing a key role in shaping the industry’s growth.

With the benefits to well-being in mind, let's take a deep dive into understanding the current challenges facing healthcare technology and the ways that upgraded wireless communications, accessories and applications are fueling the industry’s future.

Even as ensuring secure healthcare communications becomes more complex with technological advances in the cloud, the simplest challenge still remains: how to seamlessly connect personnel on the ground.

There are questions about securely keeping people in touch that cell phones and analog radios just can’t answer, from what safety features are needed to how to protect patient privacy.

As the ailment threatening secure healthcare communications become tougher, let’s take a look at why digital two-way radios are the best cure.