Dispatchers Today Need Communication Tools that are Diverse

Controlling costs and streamlining your fleet dispatching processes are at the core of many service-oriented companies where you have a crew in the field. The advances in communication technology never takes a break so chances are that the technology you implemented only three years ago is now old news. Today dispatch operators are reaching field personnel via digital mobile radios, SMS push notifications, cellular data transmissions and rich media packets sent via VPN’s to tablets.

Security of your communication transmissions is even more important today than it was three years ago too. Orion Systems are experts in programming encryption protocols for the voice and data packets sent via their dispatcher consoles since they have been supplying solutions to the US military for over 30 years. Our systems also offer extra features such as GPS-transmitted location services, remote monitoring, temporary disabling of devices and emergency management which can be employed for many different applications.

Real-time tracking of any asset’s location helps dispatchers better understand potential scheduling challenges and allows you to see whether staff are approaching high-risk zones or moving outside their authorized areas. Our dispatch consoles can also remotely monitor a radio’s microphone and a supervisor will be able to effectively determine a user’s safety and wellbeing.

If one of your vehicle radios is stolen or interfering with normal communications, allowing you to disable a unit while still tracking its physical location which can be beneficial especially in cases of emergency.

Boosting Productivity

When it comes to communicating efficiently with a fleet of mobile radios using VoIP radio networks, Orion Systems dispatch consoles is a wonderful addition to your communications arsenal.

One of the key benefits to your productivity is that cell phones can be integrated into a system and used to connect with both radio users and cellular devices. The solution allows you use existing digital mobile radios, properly configured Android operating systems with a PTT feature while streamlining communication channels.

Orion Systems Inc is a communications systems company in the USA proficient at radio over IP applications. Our dispatcher consoles are affordable solutions and can be customized to your specific needs. We are also experts at secure voice communications for command and control consoles.

Is Tactical LTE a Good Fit for Field Communications?

Are you interested in a long-term evolution of your tactical field communications? LTE technology has a lot to offer communication teams in military, commercial, law enforcement, municipal and similar mission critical organizations. However, whether is it a good fit and a worthwhile investment is a more complex question than the features it offers.

Is Your Operating Environment a Good fit for Tactical LTE?

Consider the weather, terrain and consistency of the operating environment. Ask yourself these questions:

• How common is intense weather such as heavy storms and low clouds?

• What are the common natural barriers such as mountains, valleys and bodies of water?

• How much control does your team have over the environmental conditions?

LTE is an excellent choice in stable, domestic settings. However, it can face challenges in tumultuous areas, regions with significant natural barriers and very remote areas. Line-of-sight obstructions may make tactical use of LTE challenging.

Nonetheless, the technology can be useful in tactical situations. The U.S. Navy began using LTE in 2012. Furthermore, when combined with satellite communication in a redundant system, LTE can be highly effective even in challenging environments.

What Are Your Alternatives?

Evaluate your alternative technologies. These may include government and private-sector satellite communications, civilian cellular networks, UHF radio communications and other similar options.

Typically, the most effective field communication solutions combine two or more alternative technologies. Relying on any single solution can be a significant risk. The security of communication networks is an important consideration. Over-reliance on private-sector and civilian networks may expose you to unnecessary vulnerabilities. A closed LTE network could be a viable answer to security concerns.

How Can Tactical LTE Be Deployed?

If tactical LTE seems like a viable solution for your circumstances, it may be time to take steps towards its application. This process is often easiest with an experienced communications systems company working to provide insight and guidance.

One key challenge is ensuring communications interoperability for radios. If you have a communication system that leans on a radio dispatch console for routing LTE, radio frequencies and satellite, you want to avoid a situation in which your users need significant technical knowledge to use the system. The ideal situation is one in which the communication needs can be routed through a command and control console, enabling the communications team to manage which networks are used when.

This approach alleviates the need for field operators to make determinations about their communication methods. It can also help you make sure your technologies are used as efficiently as possible. This is particularly important in turbulent environments such as warzones or during severe weather.

LTE can be a powerful tactical-communications tool. However, it is only effective when deployed in a thought-out and fully developed model.