Remote - Spring 2014 - (Page 10)

Feature Article Unified Push-to-Talk: The Future of Remote-Site Communications James Mustarde, Senior Marketing Manager Twisted Pair Solutions Every remote-site manager understands the difficulty of coordinating operations that span multiple locations or a large geographical area. With staff spread over various sites, coordination among groups of workers is a daily challenge. Efficient operations requires effective communications between distributed teams at remote sites, headquarters and everywhere in between. Yet many organizations do not approach their remote communications in a smart way. Land mobile radios (LMR)- long trusted as reliable and rugged devices for teams on the move, are often the mainstay of push-to-talk communications for remote and mobile teams. LMR handsets are useful in many instances, but their role in a unified, enterprise-wide push-to-talk solution cannot be unlocked until organizations find ways to incorporate them alongside newer, highly flexible communications devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptop computers. Commonly, organizations have all of these types of communications solutions in place throughout their organization, with teams in different locations each using its own, often disparate systems and devices. Telephones and laptop computers, for instance, are used in back offices while mobile managers rely on smartphones, and teams at various field sites may employ disparate types of radio systems. The exclusivity of these systems creates a divided communications environment across the larger enterprise, wherein workers using different devices or networks struggle to communicate seamlessly. For remote operations, such roadblocks to communication prevent effective collaboration, which in turn slows responsiveness and productivity. A growing number of organizations have sought to address this communications gap by adopting a single type of system or device for enterprisewide communications, equipping all employees with a specific smartphone, for example. But this strategy locks organizations into one type of system and excludes all sorts of communications devices already in use, including LMR systems, that are still highly effective and valued by their users. These factors lead many remote operations managers to look for a smarter way to communicate. This does not mean simply replacing the old with the new, but involves connecting whatever devices are already in place and extending their compatibility to newer systems. Operators can be smarter about their communications by creating an environment that welcomes all device types, LMR, smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs, laptop computers and more. Bringing all system types into their network lets organizations eliminate barriers to communications and achieve universal push-to-talk. Enterprises across a variety of industries have begun to reap the benefits of this interoperability. By freeing voice communications from restrictions of device or network type, all user groups across an enterprise, workers or maintenance crews in remote field locations, corporate office teams and even third-party 10 www.RemoteMagazine.com vendors and partners, can connect in real-time. Oil and gas production companies are a great example. With exploration and extraction operations typically spanning large and remote areas, it can be difficult for teams at different sites, or managers overseeing them, to talk to one another. We commonly see entirely disparate communications systems in use at various sites within the same company. Making interoper ability the standard lets these enterprises connect all of the systems already at play across these locations. Importantly, it gives teams the option of implementing a variety of device types suited for particular situations, namely radio handsets at drilling sites where intrinsically safe devices are critical. Advanced interoperability eliminates the need for workers to carry multiple handsets and instead lets them connect using the devices they already carry. A manager, for example, can join a push-to-talk channel while off-site using his or her smartphone, helpful especially in emergency situations when they need to dial in. With instant access to timely information, remote managers can monitor operations accurately from any location. Since LMR handsets remain critical tools for many organizations, they will continue to be deployed where their specialized capabilities are most needed. But many of these same organizations want to give workers more flexible handset options. Software can connect LMR systems to these newer device types, giving organizations complete network and device flexibility so they can achieve universal PTT and make the most of their communications capabilities. Thanks to a simple interface, adding in additional users and devices is as easy as installing an application on a smartphone or tablet. This type of customizable strategy lets remote-site managers get smarter about enterprise communications. LMR and smart devices are useful systems on their own, but only when you bring them together can you establish a fully capable communications network. This all-inclusive environment enables remote teams to connect and collaborate with ease, no matter the device or distance. Twisted Pair Solutions provides push-to-talk over broadband solutions for secure, real-time collaboration on any device over any network in any location. The company integrates to LMR and provides voice communications with text messaging, location, presence and other data so that essentially all devices (smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs and two-way radios) can talk to each other. For more information visit www.twistedpair.com. Are You an A, B or C? Your subscription to Remote magazine may be about to expire. Check your status in the colored box located in the mailing label on the front cover. Subscribe online at www.RemoteMagazine.com http://www.twistedpair.com http://www.RemoteMagazine.com http://www.RemoteMagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Remote - Spring 2014

Editor's Choice
Top 10 Security Tech Trends for 2014
Facility Realities: An Inevitable Trend - Centralized Facility Management (CFM)
Unified Push-to-Talk: The Future of Remote Site Communications
Using PAS 55 to Manage Oil & Gas Assets
Wireless Field Area Communication Networks for Digital Oil & Gas Fields
100 Tunnels Under Control
Unique Spacer Cable System Powers Renewable Energy Plant Pipeline
Internet of Things North America
SCADA
Networking
Security
Onsite Power
Industry News

Remote - Spring 2014