At Xybix headquarters, our team of engineers are continually improving upon our product with new ideas and options. End users are some of the most important people to use our product. If it weren’t for you, we might not understand the importance of individual heat and air control at a workstation, or even the need for individual lighting.

Over the years, our engineering department has listened to you, your ideas and your concerns. They have taken this feedback and come up with some great ideas to enhance your comfort at your workstation in a communication center. Antimicrobial worksurfaces and bias lighting are just a couple of items that Xybix has introduced over the past two years. This year, we are introducing acrylic shrouds. Now you’re asking, what are acrylic shrouds?

There’s an ancient proverb that reads: “For want of a connector the shelf was lost. For want of a shelf the cabinet was lost. For want of a cabinet the workstation was lost. And all for the want of a shelf connector.” Or something like that.

Our customers who have received new bookshelves, storage or CPU cabinets in the past month may have noticed something a little different about their adjustable shelves. Our venerable locking shelf connector has been discontinued by the manufacturer, so we needed to find a new solution. There are dozens of fasteners we could have used, but we wanted something simple, reliable — and better.

Does the thought of buying dispatch furniture make you want to run screaming and clawing your way out of a nightmare? For some people it does. The thought of talking to a sales person, researching options, submitting an RFP, dealing with quote comparisons, not to mention the stress of getting it all right; no wonder you’re feeling like you’re in a nightmare. Trust me, I get it! What we’ve learned from our customers is that transparency means everything. Therefore, we want to lay all our goods out on the table and let you do the deciding. Unfortunately not all dispatch furniture companies are as open and honest. So put on your detective glasses, you’re going to need them.

When you are looking to purchase a new automobile do you run out and sign papers without seeing or driving the car? No way! You go to the dealership, take a look, and then take that puppy out for a spin. Am I right?

When you want to purchase a new house… Do you send over the offer letter to your agent without seeing the house? No way! Who would do that? You schedule a meeting with your agent to visit the house, take a peek, make sure everything is just right and then once you determine it’s a fit you sign the offer letter.

Ok, now that I have everyone thinking about new purchases, let’s focus on dispatch consoles for your dispatch center. 

We’ve seen a lot of hospitals put radiologists into small, weird-shaped rooms, with no thought of who is actually working in that room and how they’re going to use it. Radiologists don’t just sit (or better yet, stand) at a desk with one computer. Most Radiologists have multiple computers and monitors and they need to be in a dark, quiet room to work. They also need control over the room’s light, climate and noise. Together, these factors present a complicated environment for radiologist to work in.

When you start thinking about your 911 Comm Center and those little things you'd really like, you might start to come up with a wish list. Let's face it, everyone has a wish list! The focus is usually on the basics: height adjustable workstations, monitor mounting, cable management, and CPU storage. You've been good all year, right? So ask yourself - what about those little extras on your wish list? What do you really 'want for Christmas?'

As I was browsing my news feed on Facebook one night, I came across a post from a friend of mine who made a statement about Text to 911 in his area. However, the local radio station had stated that all university campuses in his area were now Text to 911 capable. But the radio station went on to urge people NOT to use this service, rather dial 9-1-1 on their phones. This seemed contradictory to me, with this new service available, why would you not use it? So I decided to find out the facts of Text to 911.

Are you the newly appointed project manager for your center’s new layout and design? If so, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. When these projects land on your already full plate, there’s a way to ensure everyone is happy, the project goes smoothly, and everyone gets what they need. You’re not only going to come out of this project safely, but with an incredible sense of accomplishment under your belt.

One of the most exciting parts of designing a comm center or building a new 911 dispatch center is working on the layout. Everyone has ideas on how they can make it better. And why not? Sitting at the consoles for hours on end does give you time to think. Often time it is 'well that is stupid, why did they put that there?', or 'why am I sitting underneath an air conditioning vent?'. 

What do you need to look for and what do you need to ask to get it done right?  How do you get the best room design for you?  How do you know if they are just “selling you” or actually helping you out?  Will you meet ADA?  When the furniture shows up will it fit and will your equipment fit. 

With Turkey Day upon us, it’s hard not to get caught up in the mess of things. “Last chance” this, “30% off” that, the ultimate “Black Friday” door-buster deal…

When the mall crowds pick up, people start frying turkeys, traveling to grandmas, and families come together, inevitably there will be an increase in 911 emergency calls. Lest we forget that there are several people who don’t get to spend the holiday(s) with their families, friends or loved ones. Yes, 911 dispatchers!