Chicomm Blog

Digital communication decisions often seem complicated. Technology is always changing, from hardware improvements to software updates to larger system overhauls. These changes often lead to misconceptions about digital communications technology - which can get in the way of your business or agency making the right decision about acquiring new technology or updating what you’ve got.

Being aware of these misconceptions can simplify your digital communications decisions and help you break down barriers to getting the technology your business or agency needs.

Here are 5 common misconceptions about digital communications technology:

When public safety agencies respond to an emergency, they are able to arrive at the scene of the event and deal with the emergency in mere moments. They are able to effectively communicate with their own team, different departments, the media, and even the general public, all without causing any delays or issues. When you stop to think about it, it seems like an incredibly daunting task to accomplish all of that in such a short period of time.

For them, it all starts with having an effective, comprehensive emergency communications strategy in place. This strategy typically includes everything from the types of equipment they will use in the dispatch center and in the field, the 10-codes they will rely on, and general best practices and procedures that they will follow.

Creating and using these communication strategies is just part of the job for those in public safety, but it isn’t always as top-of-mind for those working in other industries. For example, if you own a hotel or are part of the IT admin team at a school, or if you lead the night crew at a warehouse, chances are you aren’t always thinking of how you will communicate during an emergency.

If you look at your smartphone right now, how customized is it to your liking as compared to when you took it out of the box? Chances are you have installed countless applications on your device, ranging from weather apps, sports news, games, and social media. The majority of these applications didn’t come out of the box with your phone, but now that you have them, your experience is more tailored.

This is exactly how it is with digital two-way radios, too. While the device itself is incredibly useful and powerful, technology today is not about a “one size fits all” approach. It is now about using powerful hardware and software to get the job done, but relying on custom applications to really streamline the process - and provide an even better user experience.

Even with the rate of which we all download and use mobile apps on our personal devices, there are many two-way radio users who simply turn on the radio and move forward without ever considering adding on an custom application or two. Again, two-way radios don’t need apps to be useful, but they need them to be customized.

From the “Friday Night Lights” of high school football to the Super Bowl, sports draw people in. They serve as a fun escape from everyday life, and in many cases, represent some of the biggest passions in people’s lives. This is showcased by the incredible volume of fans, stadiums and sporting venues across the world see on a weekly basis.

When these sports-crazed fans file into the stadium, field, or arena, their focus is typically on whether their favorite team can bring home the win or not. What they don’t realize, however, is all of the work outside of the sports team that goes into making their experience safe, fun, and worth their money. We’re talking about the operations and communications staff in the venue.

As part of an event or game day crew, you have a tough job: ensure everything runs smoothly and on schedule, answer questions for the fans, and most importantly, keep everyone safe. Thankfully, the technological advancements over the past decade have provided innovative tools for those in this field - one of the best being digital two-way radios.

For those currently using Intrinsically Safe two-way radios approved to the FM3610_88 standard, there are some changes being made by Motorola Solutions that will directly impact you.

The FM3610_88 may only be manufactured through the end of December 2015 - at which point the switch from FM to UL will begin. To help you understand this transition and what it means for you, here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the change.

What does “Intrinsically Safe” actually mean?

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), “intrinsically safe” is an equipment design protection method for Division 1 which encompasses hazards that may be present under normal operating conditions - or,  frequently present during repair or standard maintenance work.

This term is especially relevant for those who operate in what are known as “hazardous locations.” These locations are areas where fire or explosion hazards may exist “due to flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings,” according to the NEC.

The moment your assembly line stops, profitability goes down. Even a small pause in work can cause delays throughout the chain, which in turn causes losses. This is why manufacturing managers across the world spend much of their time researching and implementing new ways to limit downtime and improve efficiency.

One of the best ways that manufacturers are improving their efficiency is by improving their communications through the use of digital two-way radios. To illustrate how these radios can make such a difference, here are two scenarios - the first one without two-way radios, the second one with.

We live and work in an era that will most likely go down as a time where we all became more connected than ever. Think about it – smartphones, tablets, and computers have completely changed the way in which we communicate with each other. Not only do we personally benefit from the ability to connect with friends and family across the globe in a matter of seconds, but we all benefit professionally, as well.

Business-critical communications have evolved over the years and are now at the point that mobile workers can connect with others regardless of their physical location or even their network. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of our work.

The technology is readily available for organizations to adopt, however, corporate infrastructure and IT spending is constantly under pressure. So, the challenge for decision makers is no longer “how do we connect our employees?” – the challenge is now “how do we most effectively and affordably connect our employees?”

It seems that most organizations have at least some degree of emergency preparedness ready to go. This can include an evacuation plan, alarm systems, or a detailed list of who is responsible for what. As the very nature of an emergency is that it is unexpected or unplanned, how you respond to it needs to be based off of a clear and effective plan. This all starts with being prepared.

One of the most common emergencies that can impact any and all industries, is a weather emergency. You know the kind: storms, hurricanes, high winds, blizzards, fog, etc. All of these natural events can cause delays and safety issues to some extent, and they can all impact you in a major way.

Using a digital two-way radio is pretty start forward. You go the the docking station and grab a handset. From there you turn it on and make sure that you’re on the right channel to begin or join a conversation. After double checking the volume and receiving a message, you hold the Push to Talk Button while you share your response.

The first time that you used a two-way radio, you probably didn’t need detailed instructions to operate the device. Although using this system is simple and doesn’t require any technical training, understanding the science behind the technology is slightly more intricate.

Radio Frequency

Over the past decade, companies from every industry have made advancements in making their organization more eco-friendly, or "green." This push for clean business practices has made great strides recently, and there are even opportunities to be found in the telecommunication market. 

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