Maximising User Benefits with Critical Mobile Broadband Solutions
By: Nick Koiza
Head of Security Business
28th June 2018
I was pleased to speak at the recent Mission Critical Technologies event in London on ‘Developing a Strategy for Maximising User Benefits with Critical Mobile Broadband Solutions’. The key points from my presentation are outlined below:
Market Evolution
We’re entering a new era in critical communications with the market undergoing significant change. Mobile broadband is driving increased interest in data-centric approaches for fulfilling voice and data needs. The emergence of LTE-based solutions will facilitate high throughput applications.
There’s also scope to complement existing PMR solutions with LTE. Hybrid installations will benefit satisfied narrowband users desiring value-add from broadband data.
LTE also facilitates Push-to-Talk (PTT) voice replacement with equivalent data alternatives, i.e., for those users that want to totally replace their PMR systems or start from scratch with LTE.
New User Opportunities
There’s already a diversity of roles in the field within each user organisation, let alone across the many professional user markets currently enjoying PMR voice communications!
Exploiting mobile broadband will require a plethora of device options to be created, and users will need to be provisioned with dedicated applications that fully leverage high speed data services.
For the first time in the history of this market, transitioning to broadband promises high throughput applications. Users will benefit from increased safety, security and operational efficiency, as well as significant cost savings – all long-awaited!
In terms of developing a strategy for maximising user benefits, here are a few tips for you to consider:
Meet Operational Needs
In contrast to conventional voice solutions, data services place greater emphasis on understanding how end users will benefit from solutions that are right for meeting their operational needs.
Establishing mobile working practices across user groups requires a consultative approach that considers the wide spectrum of staff roles and associated use cases & operational processes, together with working environments (sometimes harsh), so that each user can benefit!
Tailor Devices & Applications to Meet User Needs
Only after establishing individual field workers roles will it be possible to design next generation products that meet key criteria such as device form factor, ruggedness, power management, wireless OS and application needs etc.
Creating your products on a custom basis provides greater flexibility and reassurance that user specific needs will be met – it’s all about giving your users the right tools for the job!
Innovate!
Exploit potential promised by mobile broadband for innovation, e.g., for in-vehicle environments, have you considered encapsulating the functionality of current multiple units within a single device to free up space?
You can also create innovative solutions exploiting hybrid technologies i.e. existing narrowband TETRA and deployable broadband LTE, so why not get the best of both worlds through an integrated approach?
Achieve Cost Effectiveness
There are ways to significantly reduce the cost of developing next generation products. You can also ensure that complete design and supply is achieved with greater cost-effectiveness than inflexible off-the-shelf-products!
Why not lower your BOM costs and accelerate time to market with readily available components such as standard LTE modules, particularly with 3GPP standardised releases?
You can manage the manufacturing supply chain to generate further savings without compromising manufacturing rigour.
Summary
Next generation devices and applications call for:
• A strong understanding of operational use cases
• Flexibility, so the needs of each individual field worker are met, regardless of working environment and operational functions
• Innovation, cost-effectiveness, component based solutions that adhere to 3GPP standards
• Giving your users the right tools for the job!
If you’ve got questions about critical communications, just give me a call. I’m always happy to chat and advise on your next steps. And hopefully, see you at the next Mission Critical Communications event!
Email: nicholas.koiza@plextek.com Tel: +44 (0) 1799 533 266
I was pleased to speak at the recent Mission Critical Technologies event in London on ‘Developing a Strategy for Maximising User Benefits with Critical Mobile Broadband Solutions’. The key points from my presentation are outlined below:
Market Evolution
We’re entering a new era in critical communications with the market undergoing significant change. Mobile broadband is driving increased interest in data-centric approaches for fulfilling voice and data needs. The emergence of LTE-based solutions will facilitate high throughput applications.
There’s also scope to complement existing PMR solutions with LTE. Hybrid installations will benefit satisfied narrowband users desiring value-add from broadband data.
LTE also facilitates Push-to-Talk (PTT) voice replacement with equivalent data alternatives, i.e., for those users that want to totally replace their PMR systems or start from scratch with LTE.
New User Opportunities
There’s already a diversity of roles in the field within each user organisation, let alone across the many professional user markets currently enjoying PMR voice communications!
Exploiting mobile broadband will require a plethora of device options to be created, and users will need to be provisioned with dedicated applications that fully leverage high speed data services.
For the first time in the history of this market, transitioning to broadband promises high throughput applications. Users will benefit from increased safety, security and operational efficiency, as well as significant cost savings – all long-awaited!
In terms of developing a strategy for maximising user benefits, here are a few tips for you to consider:
Meet Operational Needs
In contrast to conventional voice solutions, data services place greater emphasis on understanding how end users will benefit from solutions that are right for meeting their operational needs.
Establishing mobile working practices across user groups requires a consultative approach that considers the wide spectrum of staff roles and associated use cases & operational processes, together with working environments (sometimes harsh), so that each user can benefit!
Tailor Devices & Applications to Meet User Needs
Only after establishing individual field workers roles will it be possible to design next generation products that meet key criteria such as device form factor, ruggedness, power management, wireless OS and application needs etc.
Creating your products on a custom basis provides greater flexibility and reassurance that user specific needs will be met – it’s all about giving your users the right tools for the job!
Innovate!
Exploit potential promised by mobile broadband for innovation, e.g., for in-vehicle environments, have you considered encapsulating the functionality of current multiple units within a single device to free up space?
You can also create innovative solutions exploiting hybrid technologies i.e. existing narrowband TETRA and deployable broadband LTE, so why not get the best of both worlds through an integrated approach?
Achieve Cost Effectiveness
There are ways to significantly reduce the cost of developing next generation products. You can also ensure that complete design and supply is achieved with greater cost-effectiveness than inflexible off-the-shelf-products!
Why not lower your BOM costs and accelerate time to market with readily available components such as standard LTE modules, particularly with 3GPP standardised releases?
You can manage the manufacturing supply chain to generate further savings without compromising manufacturing rigour.
Summary
Next generation devices and applications call for:
• A strong understanding of operational use cases
• Flexibility, so the needs of each individual field worker are met, regardless of working environment and operational functions
• Innovation, cost-effectiveness, component based solutions that adhere to 3GPP standards
• Giving your users the right tools for the job!
If you’ve got questions about critical communications, just give me a call. I’m always happy to chat and advise on your next steps. And hopefully, see you at the next Mission Critical Communications event!
Email: nicholas.koiza@plextek.com Tel: +44 (0) 1799 533 266
