Top Features to Look for in Today’s Radio Dispatch Consoles

Introduction

Radio dispatch consoles remain a linchpin for effective and efficient mission-critical communication. At their core, console systems are designed to support foundational features like Push-To-Talk (PTT), patching, paging, and instant recall, ensuring seamless interaction in crucial moments. However, as technology evolves and the demands of dispatch environments grow more complex, including nationwide staffing challenges, simply meeting these basic requirements is no longer sufficient. Today, those searching for a new radio dispatch console system must think beyond the traditional, setting their sights on a radio-agnostic dispatch ecosystem. Such an ecosystem incorporates the essential features and anticipates future needs, ensuring a solution that remains relevant, robust, and evergreen without locking you into a restrictive technology partnership. Let’s delve into the broader spectrum of features you should expect when sourcing a new radio dispatch console.

WYSIWYG

A WYSIWYG (pronounced “wiz-ee-wig”) editor stands for “What You See Is What You Get.” It is an element of some software applications that allow users to design and create content in a way that shows them exactly how the final product will look. This is in contrast to more traditional systems where you might need to write code, markup or edit a browser-based interface before rendering the final environment.  Here are some advantages of utilizing a WYSIWYG editing:

Visual Interface: WYSIWYG editors provide a graphical interface where you can format text, insert images, and layout elements without needing to write or understand code. They mimic the look and feel of the final output during the creation process.

Ease of Use: Because users can directly manipulate the design elements and see the results instantly, it is generally more intuitive for people unfamiliar with coding or design principles.

Applications: WYSIWYG editors are found in a variety of applications, including word processors (like Microsoft Word), web page design tools (like Dreamweaver), and content management systems (like WordPress when using the visual editor). This is a noteworthy advantage, as many are already familiar with the workflow and, in turn, require less training to be productive with this tool.

Advanced Telephony 

Integration of advanced telephony into radio dispatch consoles has become more pivotal than ever. Not only does it foster efficiency and seamlessness, but it also arms dispatch operators with a suite of tools that make real-time communication more intuitive and responsive. Here’s a closer look at some of the core elements of advanced telephony:

Active Directory: With the integration of Active Directory, operators have instant access to an organized list of users, complete with their contact details and roles. This accelerates the process of reaching out to the right individual or department during crucial moments. These lists can be managed within the console environment or through your organization’s pre-existing software suite, such as Microsoft Teams or Cisco Call Manager.

Soft Dial Pad: The Soft Dial Pad offers a digital, on-screen number pad, allowing operators to dial numbers directly from their console interface. It combines traditional dialing with modern convenience, ensuring quick and efficient call placements.

Speed Dials: Time is often of the essence in dispatch environments. Speed Dials empower operators to connect with frequently contacted individuals or departments at the touch of a button, eliminating the need to dial or search for numbers.

Call Hold: In multifaceted communication scenarios, the ability to place calls on hold is indispensable. It allows operators to manage multiple lines, prioritize urgent calls, and seamlessly juggle between different communication threads.

Call Queue and Priority: This feature ensures that all incoming calls are systematically queued. Moreover, with priority settings, emergency calls can be flagged to be attended to first, ensuring that high-priority situations receive immediate attention.

Call Transfers: Transferring calls is a fundamental function. Attended transfers let operators speak with the receiving party first, while blind transfers send the call directly. This flexibility ensures that calls are routed efficiently based on the situation and the need for dispatcher involvement.

Conference Calling: Conference Calling empowers Operators to connect multiple parties in a single call, facilitating group discussions and collaborative decision-making.

Flexible Deployment: On-premises or Hosted Cloud

Agencies tasked with mission-critical operations necessitate a multifaceted approach when selecting deployment strategies for radio dispatch systems. Historically, deployment methodologies have predominantly centered around a secure, air-gapped infrastructure or on-premises configurations with fortified connections to sanctioned networks. Although these traditional methodologies have been sufficient for past radio dispatch console applications, they may not meet contemporary requirements. Modern organizations increasingly seek adaptive, evergreen solutions that seamlessly integrate with emerging technologies, notably Cloud-based hosting environments. Why would an agency want a cloud-hosted radio dispatch console?

Operational Continuity: Operational continuity is a system’s ability to continue working despite damages, losses, or critical events. Operational continuity may refer to single systems, but it can also mean an organization’s ability to consistently fulfill its mission. With flexible deployment options in dispatch systems like Enlite™ Cloud Ready Dispatch, your operation can quickly recover from disruption events with the ability to connect anywhere, such as with a laptop, Android tablet or smartphone. 

Affordable: With cloud deployment, agencies can significantly reduce capital expenses associated with traditional hardware setups. Instead of investing heavily in physical infrastructure, they can leverage cloud services, which Enlite offers in an annual subscription model.

Scalability: As your agency grows, it should be simple to scale your radio dispatch console to the operation’s needs. With Enlite, adding an additional console position is as easy as purchasing an additional license, with no commitment to buy more backend hardware or accessories. 

High Availablity: High Availability server architecture is an IT infrastructure design that aims to ensure mission-critical services remain operational and accessible even when hardware, software, or network components fail. This type of architecture is crucial for agencies that rely on the availability of their servers and services to conduct their operations, such as a public safety answering point (PSAP).

Now that you understand some of the benefits of choosing a cloud-hosted dispatch deployment, how is such a system architected? Below, you will see some of the flexible ways in which cloud dispatch can be deployed in the field:

Enlite Cloud Hosted / DCS Hybrid Deployment

The diagram below shows an Enlite Cloud deployment with a hybrid connection to the InterTalk Dispatch Console System (DCS), InterTalk’s traditional On-Premises console system. This showcases the ability of current InterTalk customers to run Enlite dispatch in parallel with their DCS system.

Enlite Enterprise On-Premises With Full High Availability

This diagram showcases an on-premises deployment of Enlite with a server cluster to achieve the benefits of high availability. To ensure operational continuity, if one server experiences a failure, the other two are able to continue the functionality of the console system with no disruption to the dispatcher or their environment.

Enlite Enterprise On-Premises With Hot Standby

The diagram below showcases an on-premises deployment of Enlite utilizing a traditional redundant hot standby server architecture. In case of a server failure, the previously active server switches to the other to ensure efficient failover. When this takes place, there is minimal disruption to the dispatcher as the next server becomes active.

Radio Agnostic Manufacturer

Today, more and more organizations are recognizing the value of not being tethered to one radio provider or system. Enter the era of radio-agnostic dispatch console manufacturers like InterTalk. But what does “radio agnostic” mean, and what are the benefits of this approach? 

Unparalleled Flexibility: At its core, a radio-agnostic system is designed to work seamlessly with any radio brand or protocol. This means proprietary constraints no longer limit organizations. They have the freedom to select, integrate, or switch radio systems based on what’s best for their unique needs, not what’s dictated by the console provider.

Cost-Effective: Being tied to a particular radio brand often means being subjected to their pricing model and system updates. A radio-agnostic approach allows organizations to shop around, potentially finding more cost-effective solutions without compromising the integrity of their dispatch console.

Future-Proof: Technology changes rapidly. By choosing a radio-agnostic dispatch console, organizations protect their investment. As new radio technologies emerge, or if there’s a need to shift to a different system, the console can adapt without necessitating a full overhaul.

Integrated Communication: A radio-agnostic console allows for an integrated communication environment. It can bridge the gap between different radio systems, ensuring smooth communication even if different departments or partners use disparate systems.

Vendor Independence: Organizations get the benefit of not being overly reliant on a single vendor for support, updates, or expansions. This independence can lead to better negotiation capabilities, quicker response times, and a broader selection of features.

A radio-agnostic dispatch console manufacturer like InterTalk offers a modern solution for communication challenges. It places the power back in the hands of the organizations, allowing them to dictate their communication needs rather than being steered by a specific radio brand. In a world where adaptability is key, this approach is not just beneficial—it’s essential.

Conclusion 

The imperative for adaptable and efficient radio dispatch consoles has never been greater. From the intuitive capabilities of WYSIWYG editors in platforms like Enlite™ Cloud Ready Dispatch to the integration of advanced telephony features, the modern-day dispatch console is leagues ahead of its predecessors. Furthermore, the flexible deployment options available today, whether on-premises or cloud-hosted, offer unparalleled operational continuity, affordability, scalability, and high availability. The benefit of utilizing radio agnostic manufacturers, like InterTalk, that champion flexibility, cost-effectiveness, future-proofing, integrated communication, and vendor independence. Organizations today, more than ever, need a console system that not only meets but exceeds their current and future communication needs. By prioritizing these features and advancements, agencies can ensure a robust, seamless, and adaptable communication backbone that stands the test of time.