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Private wireless networks - are they suitable for public safety?
Ever wondered if private wireless networks would remain viable in today's public safety environment? Think they’re too slow? Too expensive? Think public networks are the way to go when providing critical data services to your agencies? Radio IP Software from the US has a different opinion...
Questions frequently addressed concerning private wireless networks, when considering options for resilient communications are often answered with being too slow - particularly stateside and whilst in the UK for voice communications we have a resilient private radio network (Airwave) the questions can be addressed for non voice traffic and also for category 2 & 3 responders and perhaps even more importantly for the transfer of data. For instance, in the recent Virginia Tech tragedy, the cellular networks crashed with the volume of calls. Thanks to good IT planning, the emergency responders leveraged a private network to ensure critical communications were maintained.
In emergency situations it is imperative that data can be sent and received, and to do this, Radio IP Software believes that a reliable private wireless network is paramount.
For instance, Forsyth County, Georgia, has implemented Radio IP MTG to support a mobile-office initiative for its public safety and service agencies. The Radio IP MTG software, which features a secure Mobile VPN, improves the County's data transmission 100-fold by compressing data transmitted across wireless networks. Implemented in 350 vehicles, the continuous wireless connectivity solution enables officers to leverage high-bandwidth computer aided dispatch (CAD) and records management systems (RMS) over a private Motorola Integrated Voice and Data (IV&D) network and public Wi-Fi network without experiencing latency or dropped connections.
"It is paramount that our officers be able to quickly access mission-critical information from their vehicles," said Brian Converse, Radio Systems Manager, Forsyth County 911 Center.
"Prior to this implementation, it could take up to eight minutes to complete routine tasks, such as license plate checks. Now, with Radio IP MTG's unique compression features, it takes less than one minute to deliver information to a unit."
increasing productivity and response
The Forsyth County 911 Center supports the Fire Department, Sheriff's Office and the Rural/Metro ambulances, providing first responders with the tools and infrastructure needed to effectively serve the citizens of Forsyth County. To increase productivity, preparedness, and response times, the County wanted to provide its officers with a mobile-office environment that would support vehicle-to-vehicle messaging, report processing, and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) queries. In order to leverage a combination of applications, including Radio IP Software's partner InterACT MobileCAD software, over the IV&D and Wi-Fi networks, Forsyth needed a solution that would provide seamless switching and session persistence between networks as well as support the rate of data flow to and from the vehicles.
With Radio IP MTG, the Forsyth County 911 Center has seen an improvement in its overall network performance. The solution, which is transparent to the end-user, significantly boosts Forsyth County's network throughput and automatically reconnects to the network if the signal is lost. Radio IP Software's patented TCP/IP optimization and compression engine significantly reduces the volume of data being transmitted and quickly transfers files.
easy to manage and integrate
"Radio IP Software provides solutions that easily integrate with existing mobile environments so that IT managers don't need to adopt an entirely new set of applications or write new interfaces," said Mike Bourre, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Radio IP Software. "The Radio IP MTG is an easy-to-manage solution that simplifies system management by enabling IT managers to configure the system while officers are in the field."
Radio IP MTG delivers high-performance, reliable and secure data connectivity with Mobile VPN functionality between public and private wireless networks and applications. In particular, the RadioRoam functionality now enables the department to better manage the connection between IV&D, public Wi-Fi and its laptops. With a planned installation of Motorola's High Performance Data (HPD) network in 2008, Forsyth County will continue to provide support for its officers in the field so they can focus on citizen safety.
Whether agencies leverage a single private network, or a combination of network standards, Radio IP Software provides the end user with a seamless, transparent experience and significantly increases data transmission. Meeting customer needs through its own solution and its work with strategic partners, Radio IP Software improves the interoperability between wireless networks, devices, and software applications.
Radio IP MTG(tm) has also been chosen by Ohio MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications System). Ohio MARCS is leveraging 2,500 Radio IP MTG licenses to achieve continuous wireless connectivity for its public safety and service agencies on its Motorola DataTAC network. The Radio IP MTG solution, which includes a secure Mobile VPN, has enabled Ohio MARCS to improve its data flow 10-fold and reduces the amount of IT support required in the field by managing network connections and compressing data traveling over the network.
A not-for-profit network provider connecting first responders with other public safety and service providers across the state, Ohio MARCS serves agencies such as the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency with secure wireless network connectivity. These agencies utilize computer-aided dispatch, automated vehicle location, geographic mapping, and records management solutions. Many of these applications, which are data-intense, were previously unable to run on the network.
According to Ohio MARCS, the agency is now able to use applications they previously couldn't before installing Radio IP MTG on its network. The solution proved ideal for the private network and officers are now leverage reporting systems and even receive mug shots in the field. The agency is saving time and keeping its officers in the field connected to the information they need to stay safe and be effective.
Prior to using Radio IP Software's solution, Ohio MARCS experienced high latency and the amount of data agencies could send over the network was limited. With Radio IP MTG, agencies have seen a significant improvement in network performance. The solution, which is transparent to the end-user, reconnects to the network if the signal is lost while ensuring all data is transmitted automatically. With Radio IP Software's patented TCP/IP optimization and its own compression engine, the amount of data transmitted is reduced and files are transferred quickly.
Prior to using Radio IP Software's middleware, the data officers would send across the network would get backlogged and Ohio MARCS' IT department would receive 20 to 30 support tickets requesting in-car assistance each week. Each request would take up to 10 hours to resolve.
Now, with Radio IP MTG, Ohio MARCS has seen the number of support tickets drop to less than 10 a month.
The Radio IP MTG connectionware includes traditional middleware features such as Mobile VPN technology to securely connect to specified networks. The connectionware operates on both private and public wireless networks including WiFi, WiMax, Mesh and HPD (High Performance Data). Moreover, it provides the added value of managing these network connections and reconnecting without end-user engagement. With its rules-based intelligent roaming and data compression, Radio IP MTG provides agencies with a secure way to maximize private wireless network performance.
"Radio IP Software is focused on providing agencies such as Ohio MARCS with the ability to focus on their job, not their data," said Mike Bourre, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Radio IP Software.
"Ensuring Ohio MARCS could get the most out of their existing network investment means they can provide their users with the best service and keep officers connected to the information they need to stay safe on the job."
