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THE "PUSH-TO-TALK" (POC) ECOSYSTEM: CELLULAR, WI-FI, AND UNIFIED PLATFORMS..... (PART II)
BYOD Smartphones
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) smartphones can be used as PoC devices with an Android app installed on the device and are a popular way to deploy PoC radio systems in the security industry. Employees can use personal smartphones, company issued smartphones, or PoC radios, PoC video bodycams, or PoC smartphones for company business communication.
Companies may prefer to have some or all employees using smartphones for business communications, but there are several advantages to providing dedicated PoC devices:
< >PoC devices and service plans are less expensive than smartphones and cellular plansPoC devices ensure employees use the devices exclusively for business-related communications and reduces the distractions of personal smartphones Instant Push-to-Talk group and individual calls without launching apps, looking up contacts, or waiting for the phone to ring Rugged devices that withstand high impact (dropping), water submersion, and dustHigh power batteries that guarantee calling availability for the entire work shift Purpose built PoC bodycams record hands free continuous videoHigh audio volume and noise cancelling technology for use in noisy environments like concerts and sporting eventsOne touch emergency alarms for worker safetyCar mounting kits are available for DOT approved use inside vehicles.
Dispatching Applications
Figure 9: PoC Despatching Application
PoC systems include powerful dispatch and fleet management applications that provide tracking of driver locations and travel routes with time stamps. The dispatch application works with the GPS built into PoC devices and support Geo Fencing capabilities.
Dispatch applications support instant group calling as well as individual calling. Dynamic call groups can be quickly created with a simple list selection or geographically by selecting an area on the dispatch map. The dispatcher may stun (turn off) and reactivate a radio, receive emergency alarms, along with full call recording.
The Value of Push-to-Talk
Push-to-Talk over Cellular is creating a new market and value network that will create shifts in the market for established radio companies, products and alliances. As cellular LTE and Wi-Fi networks continue to mature, providing better coverage with more available bandwidth, the PoC market will continue to expand and disrupt the established Land Mobile Radio (LMR) market.
- PoC systems provide key advantages, including wide area coverage, rapid deployments with no radio infrastructure expenses, unlimited channels, and GPS location tracking.
- PoC devices are ruggedized for security applications and enable instant individual and group push-to-talk communications, video conferencing, data services, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Push-to-Talk over Wi-Fi leverages the ubiquity of Wi-Fi networks for quick and cost-effective deployments, and do not require frequency spectrum.
- Unified PoC networks enable centralized communications with nationwide coverage that integrates virtually all types of radio networks into a single business communications ecosystem.
PoC and Push-to-Talk over Wi-Fi radio networks provide the flexibility, low cost, and wide area coverage required for today’s security communications needs.
*All images courtesy of the author
January 26, 2021
This article originally ran in Security, a twice-monthly security-focused eNewsletter for security end users, brought to you by Security Magazine.
Mobile Systems have a selection of PoC Push-to-talk cellular here
https://www.mobilesystems.co.nz/products/c/26/Car_Phones
Keywords: Kirisun PoC PTT Push-to-talk Cellular WIFI GPS
