If your organization’s success relies on fast, dependable communication, your team could benefit from the advances two-way radio technology has experienced over the last decade. While businesses have depended on push-to-talk radios for security in the past because of their durability and reliability, today’s technological advances – the leap from analog to digital brings more options, flexibility, and features to the communications table.
Whether your company is exploring different communication options, are updating your present infrastructure due to new communication styles because of COVID-19, or are considering analog to digital migration, you may be hesitant to make a move. To find out why it makes business sense to switch now, here are some of the misconceptions about making the analog migration.
Is Two-Way Radio a Dying Technology?
Now that everyone has a smartphone, it might seem difficult to understand why two-way technology is superior for different applications and industries. There is a reason ambulances, garbage trucks, law enforcement, construction and security personnel continue to rely on two-way radios rather than smart devices. Two-way radios are more reliable and much faster than a traditional cell phone. Picture an emergency situation, Joe is new to the team and didn’t get everyone’s cell phone number. He’s completely unable to alert his team. With two-way radios, he’s able to inform everyone quickly at the push of a button. Digital two-way radios empower team communications in real-time with the push of a button in a way that analog two-way radios and smartphones can’t. Right now, digital two-way radios are an effective solution for social distancing industry requirements – your team members can have instant communication while keeping themselves safe and your business running smoothly.
Aren’t Smartphones the Best Communications Option?
Smartphones may offer some of the best applications and features for everyday consumer use, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best tool for the job for many businesses. The same digital technology powering our smart devices has been combined with the reliability of push-to-talk digital radios. Smartphones are generally less reliable with their coverage, have a shorter battery life, can be dangerous to use in some work environments, are less secure than two-way digital radio, and are often more expensive. Digital technology allows your company’s team members to communicate across networks through PCs, landlines, and multiple smart devices from various locations for:
- Personnel Tracking
- Fleet Management
- Alarm Management
- Work Order Management
- Dispatch Console
- Email/Text Gateway
Don’t Two-Way Radios Have Poor Sound Quality?
Analog radios are reliable radios that feature intelligent audio and background noise-cancellation, however they are limited in the distance of use. On the other hand, digital two-way radios benefit from the same sound quality but with a further distance of use.
Aren’t Two-Way Digital Radios Expensive?
When your organization focuses on upgrading your communications systems, the cost is often the leading consideration. However, investment in digital two-way radio is often a more efficient and cost-effective option than other communication technologies. Two way radios have an estimated lifespan of five to seven years, have a longer battery life, and yet offer the features your business needs. Additionally, digital two-way radios can double your existing 12.5 kHz channel immediately, reducing licensing costs, increasing your currently licensed spectrum’s flexibility, while lowering your bandwidth imprint and costs. When investing in a two-way radio, be sure it is not a grey market radio, as that will be more expensive in the long run.
Isn’t Analog to Digital Migration Hard?
While it might seem like a complex process, switching from analog to digital radios is easy. You can proceed in stages – no need to rip out and replace everything at once. You can also integrate the use of your existing analog units with your new digital units and use them simultaneously. You get to decide when you transition your entire team, a business department, or even just one person. This flexibility allows you to determine the pace of your migration.
Takeaways
In short digital two-way radios are:
- An advanced communication technology that offers many benefits
- Better than smartphones for communication for some industries and applications
- Offer great sound quality
- A cost-efficient communication system that lasts
- Easy to implement to at your own speed
If you have questions about how the switch to digital two-way radio will enhance your organization’s communication and efficiency, give us a call today at Altech Electronics. We’re your go-to source for advanced radio communications systems from Motorola Solutions in New York City, NJ, Long Island and Westchester County areas.