Chicomm Blog

When a company grows, its radio equipment needs to grow along with it. Over time, coverage may become spotty, or there simply aren’t enough devices to go around. This likely doesn’t mean the whole system needs an overhaul; instead, it’s a time to reevaluate your radios’ current setup and use, as well as your future goals.

Between stretched budgets and supply chain delays, purchasing the cheapest, most quickly available communications technology you can find is tempting. But when you find unbelievable prices and shipping timelines, there’s probably a reason it seems too good to be true. In many cases, it means you’re receiving old, faulty equipment without any warranty. 

Working with established, reputable suppliers is important whether you’re getting new or aftermarket products. One way to be sure your investment won’t end up costing more in the long run is to purchase authorized Motorola products. Here’s why:

School communication systems have come a long way from backpack notes and early-morning news broadcasts announcing snow days. Parents and caregivers expect to hear from schools quickly and conveniently about everything from their student’s grades to district-wide announcements. 

This is especially true when it comes to safety: families and school employees alike want the most reliable, fast, and intuitive communications solutions to be a core element of their school or district’s emergency response plan. 

As you are likely aware, there have been significant delays in the delivery of many types of products over the past year and most experts predict that these delays will, unfortunately, extend well into 2022, and even 2023.  We, therefore, wanted to give you an update on the supply chain issues we are experiencing with Motorola Solutions and other vendor products, as we know many of you currently have open orders with us.

Two-way radios keep teams connected when it matters most. Out of the box, though, they are generic. Programming is what turns them into a simple, reliable system that fits your people, sites, and workflows.

Some organizations handle basic setup in-house, but most rely on a licensed provider to ensure the details are correct and documented. With radios, programming is everything: a single button can be configured to do dozens of different things.

Here’s what to know about programming for business, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. If you work in public safety, we will tailor the process to meet your specific standards.

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.

Imagine that your business has decided to use two-way radio communication to keep connected while on site or in the field, but no one has ever used one. Employees may voice their unease with the devices, or even worse, avoid using them altogether. They may not understand the importance of two- way radios as a safety tool for them and end up hurt.

Your investment is well spent only if the radios are used and used properly. If your team isn’t trained, they won’t use the equipment. If they aren’t comfortable using the equipment, the system you put in place won’t work the way it’s designed because employees won’t know how. This creates safety issues and increases risk. That’s why proper training and efficient interdepartmental communication is crucial to your success.

While Chicago Communications, LLC, was formed on October 1, 2004, our rich history of expertise and service to the Chicagoland area goes back much further—starting with two-way radios and evolving over time to extensive communications solutions across multiple industries.

Meet Brad Hessler.

He’s a sales account executive at Chicago Communications who specializes in telecommunication, video surveillance, and wireless network solutions for commercial markets.

In his role, he helps businesses identify their communications and security needs and connects them with solutions specific to their operations and business goals.

Captain George Rabiela has retired from the Chicago Fire Department, but he and his companion Brady the Fire Dog are still having a positive impact on people’s lives.

ChiComm has been fortunate to volunteer alongside Captain George at the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 Toy Parades, and we recently donated a lightbar to his efforts to help others.

We’re thrilled to introduce you to two of our favorite partners and tell you about their inspiring work.