| Catalyst Solutions Why would you want to use a PC to get access to your radio system? There could be several reasons:
Back-up Dispatch Interfacing your system to your computer network can dramatically increase the alternatives for back-up dispatch locations. Not only could you set up in virtually any area of your building, but virtually any location with internet access could act as dispatch or command and control, even in the next town, county or state. PSAPs could not only back each other up answering 911 calls, but also provide direct radio communications to each other’s agencies. Hospitals could back up each other’s communications too <back to top>
Remote Access Your radio is out of your coverage area but you still need to communicate.
When a radio isn’t within the coverage area of its network, it might as well be a brick. You can’t talk or monitor traffic. Have you ever had an emergency pop-up at work while while you’re out of town? Sure, you have phones at your disposal, but you can’t monitor what’s happening across the radios, much less talk to them. Some emergencies may overwhelm the cellular networks, preventing you from reaching anyone away from a working landline phone. What if it was impossible to gather some people into your Emergency Operations Center and they need to participate remotely? Radio will be your primary means of communicating. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for these people to participate, no matter where they’re physically located? <back to top>
Consolidated Dispatch Consolidated dispatch may be more feasible because the dispatch center does not have to be within the coverage area of the radio system. The Forestry Service utilizes consolidated dispatch covering extremely large landmasses without the need for expensive, dedicated leased lines. Security and maintenance operations of hospitals and businesses could function the same way. Utilities often have multiple dispatch centers and cover large geographies. Consolidated operations are often considered when evaluating ways to improve service and efficiency. <back to top>
Back-up Multi-siting Users of multi-site, wide-area radio networks rely upon a centralized switching site that interconnects the sites. When connectivity is lost between any site and the centralized switch, users on that site lose communication with users on all the other sites. Integrating your systems across a computer network can provide a back up means of wide-area communications between users. A computer can patch together sites without going through the centralized switch. <back to top>
Eliminate Dedicated Leased Circuits Some entities may be able to eliminate dedicated leased circuits that are used to connect to radio systems based at other locations. Instead, existing computer networks can be used. This technology is applicable to hospital networks, utilities, the DNR, Public Safety and many other types of radio users.
Radio-computer integration is also a widely used approach to interoperability across different radio systems, bands, brands and geography. In the May 2004 Issue of “The 9-1-1 to the 9-1-1” you’ll find a brief introduction to interoperability using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). That issue can be found at http://www.racom.net/newsletter0405.htm <back to top> |
