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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.

Tags: Chicago Communications

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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.

Tags: Two Way Radios, Chicago Communications

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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.

Tags: Chicago Communications, History

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Sales Team Profile: Brad Hessler

Posted by Lisa MacGillivray on Wednesday, April 17, 2019

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.

Tags: Chicago Communications

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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.

Tags: Chicago Communications, Public Safety Communications

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As wireless communication solutions are constantly evolving, it’s a challenge to keep up with the latest and greatest devices and functionality. While it would be impossible to keep up with every update or product that’s made available, it is worthwhile to conduct an occasional appraisal of your existing systems -- and your current challenges -- to see if a boost, replacement or new investment makes sense. 

To help with your once-over of your equipment, systems and challenges, here are five core wireless communication solutions to keep in mind that you may need to deploy, upgrade or replace. (Bonus: Check out our latest video, below, to find out how Chicago Communications helps companies and agencies meet their comprehensive communications needs.)

Tags: Two Way Radios, Chicago Communications, Public Safety Communications, Bi-Directional Amplifiers, Maintenance/Installation/Service, Wireless Networking

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It's a question pondered by job seekers, trainees, and seasoned businesspeople alike—not to mention customers themselves: "What does customer service mean to you?"

At Chicago Communications, we're in a good position to define great customer service skills, because our clients work in some of the most high-pressure customer service situations: they're first responders, educators, manufacturers, hotel and hospital workers, and more.

For many of them, providing good customer service means making a critical difference when it matters most, whether they're saving a life, teaching a child to read, building a product that consumers can depend on, or providing a weary traveler with comfortable accommodations.

Tags: Chicago Communications, National Customer Service Week, Customer Service

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During a site walk for a pre-proposal meeting with a School District, I noticed the following technologies:
  •       Analog Radio from Motorola
  •       Digital Radio from Motorola
  •       Digital Radio from Hytera
  •       Unlicensed Digital Radios from Motorola

I stopped to think about this. The School District has no money, four incompatible radios and the need to provide safety, maintenance and transportation for students and faculty. The question immediately turned into why didn’t the retailer advise the customer of the problems of purchasing a disparate systems?

Tags: Chicago Communications, Tech Talk, Education

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If you’ve received anything from us lately, or checked out our web site, you may have noticed a slight change with our logo. Instead of just our logo, you now will see that added underneath our logo is the statement, “We create the infrastructure behind mobility.” Why this change? Because we felt those six words pretty much sum up who we are and what we do.  

Tags: Chicago Communications, Wireless Communication, Pointers from the Principals, Bi-Directional Amplifiers

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Have you ever gone to use something at home only to find out it doesn’t work?  And then, when you mention to your family members that it isn’t working they look at you very matter-of-factly and tell you it’s been broken for a while?  Ugh! The frustration!

I had this exact scenario happen to me last year following a very large snowfall we had in Chicago. My husband and son were out of town so I went out to start the snow blower only to find that after several attempts it clearly was not going to start.   When I called my husband and son to ask them what I might be doing wrong while trying to start the snow blower, they of course very matter-of-factly told me it was broken.   As you might imagine, my response to this was not a pleasant one.   I hung up with them and ended up having to shovel the driveway by hand, and just for the record I have a very long driveway covered with about eight inches of very wet snow.   When they finally returned home from their trip I told them that if they just would have told me it was broken I could have fixed it, but if I don’t know it’s broken, I can’t fix it.  

Tags: Chicago Communications, Pointers from the Principals, Customer Service

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