Chicomm Blog

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.  

As more companies shift to remote work and cloud‑based technology, small IT teams are often left scrambling for solutions to one new challenge after another. Agile workforces work well with appropriate structures in place, but sometimes monitoring and managing constant remote communications is too much for in‑house IT providers.

So what can IT solutions specialists do to stay on top of everything without working overtime? 

Consider remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools.

Hospitals present a unique set of security challenges. Spaces must feel safe and welcoming for patients and visitors while also offering privacy to those who have been admitted. Both patient and employee wings must maintain strict security while complying with rigid codes of confidentiality and conduct. 

So how can you maximize the day‑to‑day benefits and risk mitigation functions of your hospital security cameras?

As a 40‑year member of the Chicago Communications team, Tom Treichler has helped countless customers. Now the Director of Operations for Sales and Service, he says the teamwork used to solve customers’ problems is what he loves most about his work.

“At times it can be challenging, but in the end working to get projects installed and solving customer problems are the two key factors that I like about working with Chicago Communications,” he says.

This focus on connecting with customers is a common thread throughout Tom's career. He has been solving problems for others since he began his technical career after graduating from DeVry Institute of Technology in 1982.

Regardless of your final product, manufacturing businesses share the same goal: efficient production. But boosting productivity takes more than hard work and motivation. Behind every productive manufacturing facility is a network of support systems that optimize workflow, lower costs, keep workers safe, and avoid costly downtime. This is where information technology (IT) solutions step in. 

Below, we look at how manufacturing leaders can use IT services to support a productive work environment and optimize the value of the business's IT assets.