Chicomm Blog

When Georgia Institute of Technology Professor Thomas Kurfess asks new students in manufacturing engineering technology programs what they know about the industry, they reply: “Henry Ford.”

“They think it’s dirty and nasty, but if you go to a modern manufacturing facility today, it’s really clean and high-tech,” Kurfess told EdTech Magazine for a recent article. “It’s one of those things where you need to keep up with your training, because you’re using computers heavily.”

The Atlanta school’s new Advanced Manufacturing Pilot Facility was built in collaboration with Delta Air Lines, and it’s part of the renaissance in manufacturing engineering technology education going on across the country.

With two new additions to the MOTOTRBO portfolio, Motorola Solutions is delivering the future of professional two-way radios and repeater technology today.

The new SL3500e portable radio is a study in contrasts that’s been designed for business users: It’s small but powerful, sleek yet durable. The SLR 1000 repeater also packs range-extending punch in a compact design.

Let’s take a look at both products that represent the future of professional two-way radios and repeaters.

In Illinois, STARCOM has made statewide radio for public safety a reality, bridging communications across local, state and federal jurisdictions, including colleges and universities.  

Given the importance of two-way radios as a top communication tool for school safety and even school bus safety, it makes sense to maximize their reach with a system like STARCOM, also known as STARCOM21.

Here’s a quick overview of what stepping up campus security with statewide radio for public safety looks like.

Everything about your warehouse equipment and processes is becoming more innovative and advanced, so isn’t it time for your security solution to keep up?

If you've currently got an analog video system, you’re missing out on the opportunity for the added features and functionality that an IP solution could bring.

Advanced manufacturing technology needs an equally advanced system to secure it, so let’s take a look at how to protect your warehouse equipment with IP video solutions.

For public safety agencies and first responders, emergency radio literally saves lives. But what happens when criminals use public access to radio traffic against them?

Thanks to frequency scanner technology and other updated emergency communications equipment, police frequencies and other public safety traffic is largely accessible to the public.

But more jurisdictions around the country are rethinking that openness and turning instead to emergency radio encryption. Let’s take a look at both sides of the issue.

To dig a little deeper, let’s look at just one example of the future of school technology through so-called “flipped” classrooms.

Oct. 6 is Manufacturing Day, an annual celebration of modern manufacturing aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of the industry in the U.S. and inspiring the next generation of workers.

Companies, organizations, schools and libraries are holding events all over the country, including factory tours and open houses, as well as presentations from local manufacturing leaders.

In Illinois, more than 80 events are planned, with at least 11 in the Chicago area. Let’s take a look at a few geared toward the next generation.

Customer Service Week is the first week of October, and we here at Chicago Communications love having the chance to recognize our fantastic customers and hard-working customer-facing staff.

We strive to make outstanding service an everyday occurrence, and this week of events is a way to spotlight that even more.

Here’s a look at how we’ve celebrated Customer Service Week in the past.

Whether you’re new to scanning or an experienced hobbyist looking to upgrade your equipment, it pays to be clear on what you’re looking for.

Listening to police frequencies and the conversations being held over the emergency response system of your area is an eye-opening experience, and to make the most of it, you’ll need the right equipment.

To help with your decision-making process, here are some questions to ask when buying a frequency scanner.

Technological advances have made it easier than ever for officers to keep in touch over police frequencies – and for the public to listen in.

From inexpensive frequency scanners to free smartphone apps, the opportunities are seemingly endless for people to monitor police radio and public safety traffic. While most of the interest is harmless, there are examples of the technology ending up in the wrong hands. 

Here are just a few of the ways that listening to police frequencies has never been easier.