Save time and money with a Maintenance Agreement for all of your communications equipment. The key benefits of a contracted maintenance agreement are: Reduce the chance of crippling breakdowns: It’s happened to you before: Your communications equipment has broken down at a critical time. Not only is it inconvenient but it can mean lost business,…
Radio Batteries: Maintenance, Management, and Replacement
Like most things, your two-way radio batteries deteriorate with age. Different environments, conditions, and uses can accelerate the deterioration, while following the basic storage and maintenance instructions that accompany your radio can extend the battery life significantly. That being said, they will still need to be replaced regularly to maintain your radios’ optimal performance. Luckily,…
The Importance of Continuity of Operations + IT Disaster Recovery Plans
Business operations can be disrupted in many ways, for instance in an event of a disaster. A disaster could be natural, environmental or man-made. Man-made disasters could be intentional (e.g. acts of a terrorist or a criminal) or unintentional (that is, accidental, such as train derailment or a vehicular collision). Other causes of disruption may…
Why Archives Matter: 4 Key Categories of Information
Modern radio systems are really just complex computer networks joining together groups of radios, each of which at times needs to perform as a single entity, as part of a “group” of radios and as part of an infrastructure of system of computers/radios operating under a common control system. It sounds complex because it is….
AFRRCS Service: Triple Technician Redundancy, Triple Peace of Mind
The real value of a great service provider is hard to measure, until there is an urgent need for service or the need for catastrophe response. The largest single risk to any communications network is interruption, especially if the communications are mission critical in nature. Most people do not consider the complexity and cost…
Radio Service Made Easy: The Westcan Bag Program
Radio systems are designed to allow clients to manage site communications that underpin safety, productivity and operational excellence. These systems are highly sophisticated combinations of infrastructure, user radios and system controls that interact to deliver constant communications. Each element of a radio system is a unique piece of a complex interdependent/interactive structure akin to any…
AFRRCS FAQ #3: The 23 Keys to Selecting a Technical Administrator
When a public safety agency outsources AFRRCS radio support, programming and servicing to an outside vendor, they need to enter into an agreement with an AFRRCS Technical Administrator and/or Trust Technician for those services. So what are the criteria an agency should follow for selecting a Technical Administrator? Your AFRRCS Technical Administrator and Trust Technician…
AFRRCS FAQ #2: 7 Questions Regarding Radio Programming + Enablement
The implementation of the Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System is already well underway, however many agencies are unclear as to the process and prerequisites required for AFRRCS participation. This is the second in series of three FAQ’s that provide some clarification on the key aspects of the AFRRCS application, adoption, and implementation process. The…
Considerations When Purchasing Two-Way Radios for Business
FRS/GMRS or Business Radios? Thinking about FRS/GMRS instead of UHF or VHF? There are several factors that need to be considered to ensure you’re getting the best value for your dollar, and that the products you select will meet your needs over the course of the product’s lifecycle. FRS (Family Radio Service) and GMRS (General Mobile…
AFRRCS FAQ #1: 9 Key Questions Regarding Participation
The Alberta First Responders Radio Communications System is one of the most advanced of its kind in existence. As with any complex new technology, there is a constant demand for the most current information, particularly regarding participation and implementation. I’ve created a series of 3 FAQs to provide answers to the key questions we encounter…
VHF vs UHF: How to Decide?
You’d be amazed by how many people – even those that use radio communications as a part of their daily professional life – are still unclear on the differences between UHF and VHF radios. With a little research (or by talking with a capable communications expert) the strengths and weaknesses of each can be easily…
Westcan ACS to Exhibit at AFCA Conference
Westcan Advanced Communications Solutions will be a featured exhibitor at the upcoming Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Conference & Trade Show, May 29-30, 2016, at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino in Calgary, Alberta. Westcan is an industry leading Alberta First Responder Radio Communications System (AFRRCS) Integration Specialist, and will be available to answer any two-way…
Insights from Advanced Communications Integrators 