Connecting workers with smart communications

In a highly competitive business environment, where production lines need to move seamlessly, output needs to be maximised and issues need to be resolved quickly, every second needs to be used as efficiently as possible.

Any breakdown in communication can, therefore, wreak havoc.

While the need for businesses to become faster and more efficient is widely understood, it is often the need to provide workers with the smart, connected devices for efficient communication which is overlooked.

Legacy communication systems are not up to the challenge.

The new world of business is faster and increasingly digital, and on that basis, employees need to be equipped with advanced communication solutions that are reliable, robust and sophisticated if productivity and efficiency are to improve throughout the operation.

Modern communications for the modern enterprise

Complete, end-to-end communication is integral to modern business activities – but while every business understands the importance of communication, many fail to recognise the value that sophisticated, digital communication solutions can provide.

Employees using mobile phones, for example, are entirely dependent on whether or not mobile signal is strong enough to connect a conversation; in the event it’s bad, audio clarity will be poor and therefore, important information can be missed.

Similarly, mobile phones only allow for one-to-one communication, not at all practical for large-scale operations such as those in manufacturing, construction or retail where time is often of the essence, and mobile devices cannot be integrated into a wide-area communications network as they are not configured to do so.

To actually compete and be successful, businesses need to take a smarter approach to their communications – a connected approach. The point at which all business communications are in real-time and enterprise-wide is the point at which activities can be streamlined and communication unified.

Taking a SMART approach to end-to-end communication

Smart technology, like digital two-way radios, can help to connect employees and activities across an operation. For example, instead of having to return to a central command point in a warehouse or manufacturing operation for more information, a worker on the floor could instantly communicate with his or her manager on a group-wide channel for more information.

At the same time, that information would also be uploaded or messaged to that employee’s personal digital assistant (PDA) – or handheld PC – to help them track their current activities. Also, as each individual employee is equipped with a digital two-way radio for real-time communication and GPS tracking, managers always know what’s going on, where and when, allowing for immediate remediation, accident/injury response and operation-wide updates.

Furthermore, as these solutions are all capable of internet connectivity and don’t require a mobile signal to work, businesses can further expand their communications and tracking network to the cloud, with two-way radios operating as the central pillar to help facilitate communications. All communications could be fed into a central hub for managers to oversee activities and in a retail or warehousing environment, for example, could organise logistical efforts to streamline picking and packing activities.

Another benefit of digital two-way radios is that they are simple to use and typically have an intuitive interface and some programmable buttons, so no need for learning a complex operating system.

And let’s not forget that these solutions are also capable of instant messaging, so if the surrounding environment is too noisy for a conversation, employees can send messages in real-time to other colleagues or channel wide.

Building a communication network for the future

Indeed, businesses today need a host of interconnected solutions to help drive efficiency at every communication juncture – whether that’s voice communication, the uploading of information to an employee’s PDA, or simple announcements that are distributed in real-time. All of which legacy solutions and mobile devices cannot provide.

Digital two-way radios lay the foundation for effective communication. These devices last considerably longer than mobile devices, are rugged and durable, deliver various business/enterprise functions for specific applications, can be incorporated into an existing communications network (or used to build an independent one) and much, much more.

Businesses and organisations need to invest more time (and money) into the acquisition of effective communication solutions; solutions designed for the future – and that’s where we can help.

How can we help?

At DTS, we provide some of the most sophisticated digital two-way radio solutions on the market – and in addition to providing them, our specialist engineers can also configure them to meet your business’ or operation’s specific requirements.

As well as the radio devices, we can help with equipment and infrastructure, helping you to build a wide-area communications network that is reliable and highly effective.

If you want to learn more about the services we provide and how we can help, please click here.