Chicomm Blog

If there’s one thing that can stop productivity and efficiency in its tracks, it’s equipment failure. When your team cannot stay connected using devices like two‑way radios, it affects everyone’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to issues that arise.

Just like Captain says to Lucas (Paul Newman) in Cool Hand Luke, “What we've got here is failure to communicate.” 

Unfortunately, it’s not just something that happens on screen. Communication failures that stem from equipment failures are common. At least in the movies, there’s almost always a happy ending. Check out these seven examples of communication mishaps in movies where equipment failure mattered.

John Larson has been a member of the Chicago Communications team since 1996. Even after nearly 25 years on the job, John says no two days have been the same.

Anna Duvall has been a member of the Chicago Communications team since late 2020. She and Gabrielle Glashagel are two of the newest sales representatives at the company. Currently a senior at DePaul University, Anna is excited to use her education to pursue a career in sales.

Lynne Kelliher, a 7‑year member of the Chicago Communications customer service team, still describes herself as “the new kid in town.” She says she enjoys working with “so many super‑smart people” who have spent their entire careers developing expertise in ChiComm’s communications equipment and services.

“My co‑workers at ChiComm are top‑notch,” says Lynne. “They are a great blend of helpfulness, knowledge, professionalism, and occasional in‑office pranks. It is a nice place to work.”

As one of the Field Service Technicians on the Chicago Communications team, Grant Glashagel spends a lot of time on the road. He sets up radios in police patrol cars. He fixes communications equipment in loading vehicles at manufacturing plants. Regardless of where his work takes him on any given day, you'll find him completing mobile installations for ChiComm customers.

“I have an Associate’s of Applied Science Degree in Automotive Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Management,” he says. “My degree in Automotive Technology and all of the years I spent working on cars and trucks provided a good foundation for me to begin working full‑time at ChiComm.”

Workers are returning to plants, businesses, schools, and more after months of isolation. But workplaces and workflows look different than before. To comply with local and state guidelines, many organizations have enforced strict social distancing protocols. However, maintaining distance while communicating in fast‑paced environments like assembly lines and hospitals. So, what can your business do to minimize the spread of COVID‑19? How can you keep workers safe and connected during a pandemic?

Hospitals are incredibly fast‑paced work environments. New lifesaving technologies are developed each year. Life‑or‑death crises arrive in the Emergency Room each day unannounced. And the grind continues 24/7. 

It seems there is never a good time to update your hospital building's secure communication systems. Rewiring networks or going offline for even a moment can have serious repercussions. So what can you do to ensure your hospital team can connect quickly and reliably on a moment's notice?

Considering updating your networks to 100% wireless coverage.

In a 2006 article in The Clinical Biochemist Reviews, Dr. Enrico Coiera wrote, "Indeed if information is the lifeblood of healthcare then communication systems are the heart that pumps it. Yet, while there is significant discussion of, and investment in, information technologies, communication systems receive much less attention."

Though technology has evolved rapidly since that article was published, healthcare communication systems are just as important as ever. While hospital apps and patient portals improve users' experiences with their healthcare providers, staff‑to‑staff communication is essential to providing top‑notch care in a timely manner.

Below, we review why off‑site communications equipment is necessary and how to find the best equipment for your organization's off‑site communication needs.

These days, keeping your network secure requires more than an anti‑virus scanner. And according to technology website ZDNet, the COVID‑19 pandemic has only heightened cybersecurity challenges. Hackers have unleashed phishing campaigns against unsuspecting remote workers, healthcare data is more valuable than ever, and additional anxieties have made consumers more vulnerable to everything from shopping scams to fake Twitter accounts.

Fortunately, there are options to help your organization meet both general security needs and those specific to your industry. One of those solutions is security as a service, which allows you to leverage the most updated technology while saving time and avoiding unnecessary costs. 

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare facilities of all types and sizes have begun revisiting emergency preparedness plans. Thankfully, hospital management does not need to reinvent the wheel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers clear guidance on emergency preparedness, including helpful resources for each type of healthcare facility’s contingency plans in the face of public health emergencies.