Omdia Crit Comms Circle

In this episode, we delve into the critical world of disaster management as we preview an upcoming Disaster Management Virtual Symposium. With three focused sessions on planning, response, and recovery, our guests share insights into the symposium's objectives, key topics, and expert speakers.

Discover the latest strategies, technologies, and success stories in the field of disaster management and learn how you can get involved in shaping a resilient future. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just curious about disaster preparedness, this episode offers valuable information you won't want to miss.

In this episode we're joined by:

• Alfonso de la Cruz, Principal Analyst at Omdia
• Donny Jackson, Editor at IWCE's Urgent Communications
• Michelle Havich, Editor at American City & County
• Andy Castillo, Editor at American City & County

Register for the free Disaster Management Symposium here:
https://informatech.tradepub.com/free/w_defa5134/

Date: November 8th, 2023 | 10AM- 1PM (PT)

Tune in to stay informed and make a difference in your community's disaster readiness!

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In this episode, we are joined by the Verizon Frontline team to dispel five common myths in the mission critical market which can mislead public safety decision makers.

We're joined by Cory Davis, who serves as the National Director for the Verizon Response & Public Safety Operations team, and Arshdeep Sawhney, the Director of Product Management for the Public Sector portfolio in Verizon Business Group.

The myths we cover in this episode include:
#1 There is a federally mandated public safety network
#2 Agencies are mandated to use one specific carrier only
#3 Only one carrier has "always on" priority features
#4 Wireless carriers can have 100% of their sites backed up by permanent generators
#5 Wireless carrier networks are not secure

Connect with our guests on LinkedIn here:
Cory Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corywdavis/
Arshdep Sawhney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arshdeep-sawhney-aa473027/

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In this episode, we cover a range of topics including the latest highlights from APCO, the upcoming research from Omdia, a couple of industry news items, and the call for speakers for IWCE.

We're joined by Alfonso de la Cruz, Principal Analyst at Omdia, and Donny Jackson, Editor of Urgent Communications.

Please do check out the IWCE Call for Speaker submission page, found here: https://iwceexpo.com/call-for-speakers

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In this episode, we focus on the need to scale control rooms for large events and how an as-a-Service approach can facilitate this.

We are joined by Karl Price and Bernat Elias from Frequentis. Karl is the public safety CAD manager at Frequentis, with more than 28 years experience in the emergency services sector. Bernat is the LifeX as-a-Service business manager and has over 15 years experience in the IT industry. Combined, Karl and Bernat share their thoughts on why control rooms must be able to be scaled easily.

Some key points I took away from our fascinating conversation:

• The scaling up of emergency services includes not only onsite responses but also managing overflow calls from remote locations.
• The shift to as-a-Service models enables organisations to scale up and roll back operations smoothly in the event of unplanned scenarios.
• The transition to as-a-Service and cloud-based operations requires a change in mindset from traditional in-house control room setups. This includes changes at all levels of an organisation!
• The change in mindset should involve a shift in technical, legal, and financial perspectives. On the technical side, service providers take over system maintenance and security. Legally, the terms and conditions of the contract change due to the shift in responsibilities. Financially, the budgeting model switches from a capital expenditure (CAPEX) model to an operational expenditure (OPEX) model.
• Cloud solutions offer flexibility and can accomodate workers in multiple locations, making it easier for emergency services personnel to do their jobs from anywhere.

You can find out more about the Frequentis public safety portfolio here:
https://www.frequentis.com/en/public-safety

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In this episode we explore one of the biggest challenges in incident response today: access to real-time information. We talk with Motorola Solutions about the Connected Vehicle which addresses this challenge directly by integrating multiple technologies together to provide officers with relevant information on the existing screen in the vehicle.

We are joined by Ian Williams from Motorola Solutions.Ian spent the weeks before CCW touring Motorola Solutions’ Connected Vehicle across Europe and he joins us to talk about the technology used in the Connected Vehicle itself. The vehicle serves as a hub of integrated technology, including advanced cameras, voice command systems, radios, video analytics, and body-worn integration. This integration provides officers with a comprehensive picture of both the inside and outside world, enabling safer and more efficient decision-making.

Five key benefits from the Connected Vehicle were raised in this episode:

1. Safety: The connected vehicle technology offers enhanced safety features for police officers. It allows for better communication and access to information, which can help officers make informed decisions and respond more effectively to situations.
2. Additional Information: The connected vehicle provides access to additional information that would otherwise not be possible to have. This includes real-time surveillance video, location tracking, and integration with other devices and systems.
3. Comfort: The connected vehicle's design minimizes protruding equipment in the cabin, creating a more comfortable environment for officers. This is particularly important considering the amount of equipment officers already carry, such as radios, ballistic vests, firearms, and tasers.
4. Efficiency and Covert Operations: The connected vehicle's design allows for more efficient use of vehicles. It can be used as both a covert and standard vehicle, providing flexibility for police operations. Additionally, the use of hire vehicles with installed equipment offers cost-saving benefits for police forces.
5. Future Impact: The adoption of connected vehicles is likely to increase in the future. The technology can be used to handle the increasing amount of CCTV and video data in policing, improving efficiency in processing and sharing this information.

You can find out more about the Connected Vehicle here: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_xa/products/connected_vehicle.html

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In this episode we welcome Jan Petter Lie, President for the European Business at Cyviz, a solutions provider for dynamic control rooms in mission-critical environments. With his extensive experience in creating flagship innovation centres, collaboration spaces, and customer-facing environments, Jan Petter offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of control room design.

Unlike traditional technology vendors, Cyviz takes a holistic approach, integrating subsystems at a hardware level to create control rooms that are more than just the sum of their parts. We delve into the limitations of the traditional approach to control room design, emphasizing the need to align design with operational requirements rather than starting solely from a technological standpoint.

The conversation explores the impact of digitalization on control rooms and how organizations are adapting to handle increased data consumption and dynamic workflows. Jan Petter emphasizes the importance of involving control room operators and stakeholders early in the design process to ensure the space meets their operational needs and enables better decision-making.

We highlight some of Cyviz's past projects, including the Special Olympics World Games 2019 Master Operations Center, the Acute Medical Command Center in Alesund, and the Renewable Energy Control Room for Tronder Energy. These examples demonstrate the value of future-proof, standardized control room solutions that can adapt as needs change.

Discover how embracing innovation and fostering a culture of change can transform control room environments, enhance efficiency, and empower operators. Whether you're interested in secure control rooms, digital transformation, or the future of control room design, this episode provides valuable insights from an industry leader.

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In this episode we share some of our key highlights from CCW 2023, product announcements that caught our eye, and what we learned from the show this year.

The theme this year was "Success in Cooperation", reflecting the fact that five nations - Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Estonia - acted as hosts. This theme was further emphasised by the increased number of organisations participating and the cooperative effort seen througout the event.

A major topic of discussion from the event was the transition from narrowband networks to broadband networks for mission critical communications. This transition is complex and time-consuming, requiring strategic alignment among different stakeholders. The timeline for this transition that emerged from the presentations seems to be set, perhaps optimistically, for the early 2030s.

We also discuss some of the ICCA award winners, some of the devices we saw, the demos, and the sessions attended and hosted.

CCW 2024 will be held in Dubai between the 14-16th May. See you there!

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In this episode we talked with Airbus DS SLC about Europe's transition from narrowband to broadband critical communications, and how best to bridge the gap.

We are joined by Marja van der Kruk and Eric Davalo from Airbus DS SLC.

• Marja van der Kruk is Key Account Manager Public Safety and Strategic Sales at Airbus Secure Land Communications (SLC) and responsible for next generation mission critical communications & situational awareness solutions.
• Eric Davalo joined Airbus in 2004 and has been in charge of various positions in Secured Communications, Intelligence and Cyber Security markets including strategy, marketing, portfolio management, standardization, regulation, business development, general management and technology initiatives. He is now in charge of sales, program and services delivery in Europe for Airbus Secure Land Communications portfolio.

In the evolution towards broadband mission critical communication networks, we are at an inflection point in the market, with multiple initiatives ongoing. Airbus DS SLC has many years’ experience managing large scale narrowband networks, and has been selected as a key industry partner by countries like Finland and France to help lead their transition towards a nationwide broadband network. It is clear that a strong customer-focus will be key in successfully bridging the gap here.

You can find out more about Airbus DS SLC here: https://www.securelandcommunications.com/

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In this episode, we are joined by Benoit Vivier and Freddie McBride to hear about the highlights and key messages to take away from the recent EENA 2023 conference.

Key discussion points included:

1. Cloud-based solutions and cybersecurity: EENA 2023 further highlighted the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions. Components of NG112 and AI chatbots are now being provided through the cloud as SaaS-based services. Cybersecurity has become a major concern for emergency communication services, driving the shift towards technology as a service.
2. Call taker well-being: There is a need to discuss and address the emotional and psychological well-being of call takers working in high-stress environments. We talk about one session in particular at the conference, led by Dr. Michelle Lilly from the University of Illinois, which emphasized the importance of proper leadership and a supportive work culture.
3. The 2G/3G shutdown: EENA 2023 featured discussions on the challenges posed by the 2G/3G shutdown and the transition to packet-switched technologies. The European Accessibility Act sets deadlines for real-time text and total conversation capabilities, requiring member states to submit roadmaps detailing their plans for updating their emergency communication systems.

A huge thank you to our guests today, Benoit Viver and Freddie McBride for giving us some insight into EENA 2023 and the fantastic work the organisation continues to do for the European critical communications industry.

There is an upcoming event in Brussels on the topic of implementing the regulatory requirements discussed in this episode, happening 19-20th September 2023. Visit eena.org for more information.

EENA 2024 will be in Valencia, Spain, April 24-26th, 2024. See you there!

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In this episode we talk with STREAMWIDE about how the utilities sector is looking at changing communicaiton solutions within their organisations.

We are joined by Loren Zimmerman, Director of Sales for National Accounts at STREAMWIDE. Loren joined STREAMWIDE towards the end of 2020 with a career that has spanned market research, business development, and marketing roles.

Our key takeaways from this conversation:

• Utilities industry is still in the early stages of digital transformation
• Scalability and flexibility are crucial for adoption
• Collaboration and integration are key to driving innovation and enhancing security

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