Chicomm Blog

In government and public safety, wireless communications aren’t a luxury, they’re lifesavers. Every year, the equipment and features available become even more sophisticated in their ability to ensure everyone’s safety. That knowledge is one thing, and getting the budget and funding approved is another thing.

Our teams are well aware of the challenges that government entities face, and we tailor communications systems that fit agencies’ and municipalities’ needs today and into the future.

As I’ve talked to clients and kept track of trends, here are some of the most innovative and budget friendly wireless communication solutions for government that I’ve come across.

As the end of the year approaches, how you spend your technology budget can impact not only your current communications operations, it can affect how much money is allocated to you next year. If you don’t use all of that money wisely this year, you likely won’t get an increase – or even as much – next year.

To preserve your technology budget and your ability to serve your organization, you need to make investments that show you’ve improved communications and overall efficiency. Fortunately, there are some great solutions available that serve a variety of wireless communications needs. 

Here are three savvy ways to spend your end-of-year technology budget. 

If you need to know how to install a mobile radio for an upcoming installation  – or struggling with an installation in progress – we've made a video you won't want to miss. In our latest video offering, one of Chicago Communications' expert technicians shows how to install a mobile radio, step by step.

This video joins two other recent installments, including a whiteboard video on how two-way radios work and a video on two-way radio repair. One of our main goals with these videos is to demystify products or processes that are vital to keeping everyone at your department, business or campus in constant contact. The more you understand about how your technology works, the easier it is for you to use, maintain and keep it in great shape.

Monitoring your mobile workforce wherever their work takes them – whether outdoors or indoors – just got easier thanks to TruFleet’s new compatibility with iBeacon Bluetooth technology. The TruFleet tracking system, used across industries for its ability to track MotoTRBO radios on the go, now offers seamless integration between iBeacon and GPS to locate workers as they move between vehicles and environments.

With TruFleet, workers’ location within 30-foot accuracy can be viewed in real time via a web browser on desktop computers, tablets or mobile phones. Dispatchers can “ping” radios to get an immediate update on their position, and text and status messages can be sent back and forth between dispatchers and radios for easy exchanges of information about traffic or appointment changes.

As your business, campus or organization grows, the solution can be tailored to meet your needs with easy scalability. As with any application, professional installation is your best bet, and you can expect your installation and deployment to take just a few hours.

Let’s take a look at TruFleet’s enhanced versatility:

Commercial alarm systems don’t just protect the safety and security of your staff and property, they’re an important investment in your peace of mind. The right alarm system can make all the difference when it comes to preventing, handling and reporting incidents.

When you’re choosing the right system for your business or property, keep in mind what level of sophistication and convenience you need. As you’re conducting your search for a commercial alarm system, here are some features to look for:

Whether you’re considering upgrading your facility management software or investing in it for the first time, it can be daunting to start researching software options. As with any technology investment, it's crucial to have the right information so that the choice you make results in increased efficiency and profitability.

As you’re researching your facility management software options, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind:

Full suite of features and functionality

In Chicago, logistics professional training is set to get a big boost with construction of a high-tech transportation, logistics and distribution (TDL) center at Olive-Harvey College. Work on the $45 million facility recently restarted after stalling last year amid Illinois state budget woes.

Industry Partnership to Fill Surge of TDL Jobs

The center is designed to help prepare students for 110,000 TDL jobs that are expected to come to the region in the next 10 years. The project was 60 percent done when work halted, and officials are hoping to finish construction in time for the Fall 2017 semester.

The facility is the first of its kind in Illinois and is a significant step forward for Olive-Harvey’s TDL programs, which focus on air, rail and road transportation. With a commitment to hands-on training, the program’s curriculum is being developed with industry partners and will serve an estimated 3,000 students.

There’s exciting technology news from Down Under: A newly announced pilot program in Australia by Motorola Solutions and Ericsson is looking to bring next-generation push-to-talk communications to mobile radios, starting with the quickly evolving public safety market. The project builds on the major role Motorola mobile radios and Ericsson communications technology have played in the communications marketplace.

The trial technology is a key to forging a way for traditional radio voice communications to integrate and expand via mobile broadband.

Ericsson and Motorola are working alongside Telstra, the leading telecom and information services company in Australia with nearly 17 million mobile subscribers. The trio is also collaborating on creating global standards for a solution that would meet the unique needs and requirements of public safety users.

During an emergency, seconds can feel like hours, especially when it comes to locating workers to make sure they’re safe or dispatching help when they need it. Eliminating any blind spots in your ability to track employees cuts both your response time and precious time spent looking for workers who don’t need assistance but can’t immediately be found during an accident or emergency.

The new Real-Time Location System (RTLS) Indoor & Outdoor Positioning System from Teldio for Motorola MOTOTRBO radios blends Bluetooth technology and GPS to give up-to-the-minute information on workers’ locations via a web browser that can be accessed on a computer or mobile phone.

Today, it doesn’t matter if you have a private WiFi network for your business, or, if you host a public network on a school campus or in a shopping center - your network needs to be secure. Hackers are always on the lookout for subpar security in order to quickly get in and get out with the information they came for.

Second, it is a great idea for you to become familiar with the most popular wireless networking security terminology so that if an issue comes up, you are well-versed enough to discuss or understand the problem. Here are 10 of the most common wireless networking terms: