At Berrien County 911, dispatchers strive every day to make their community a better and safer place to live. The county in the southwestern corner of Michigan’s lower peninsula is home to nearly 153,000 people, who are served by 50 different police, fire, and EMS agencies.

The 911 center is staffed by 34 call takers and dispatchers with 5 to 10 on shift at a time. The employees exhibit incredible pride in the rewarding job, especially the sense of purpose it brings and the opportunity to help the community.

The Autauga County 911 dispatchers in central Alabama serve the 60,000+ residents of the City of Prattville and unincorporated Autauga County through voice calls and texts. The dispatchers work 12-hour shifts and manage thousands of calls, including 9,200 calls for the county sheriff’s office alone. Recently, the center replaced their old desks with modern Xybix consoles equipped with all the latest bells and whistles—personal fans, heaters, LED lighting, and more. The consensus: The customization options make their long shifts just a little bit better.

Updating dispatch furniture is no small task. After all, it’s a process that happens only once every 10–15 years, and for good reason! The coordination required between teams, vendors, and timelines makes it more like orchestrating a symphony than a quick shopping trip to IKEA.

How to Choose Between RFPs and IFBs When Buying Furniture for Your 911 Center

When it’s time to purchase new furniture for your 911 center, many city or county agencies rely on their purchasing departments to determine whether the acquisition should go out for competitive bidding or can be made directly. But what does "going out to bid" actually mean?

When Should You Start Planning Your Dispatch Furniture Proposal?

The short answer: it depends. Each state, and even each communication center, has its own purchasing process, which can greatly affect the timeline for acquiring new dispatch consoles.

How Much Does Dispatch Furniture Cost in 2025?

Let’s start with the basics. Asking, “How much does dispatch furniture cost?” is a lot like asking, “How much does a car cost?” It depends on your needs and preferences. Do you want the essentials, or are you looking for premium features? Three primary factors influence the cost of PSAP workstations:

How to Plan and Manage the Timeline for Your New Dispatch Furniture Project

Achieving a goal such as launching, expanding, or remodeling a control center starts with setting a realistic completion date. Without a clear target and supporting milestones, it becomes challenging to stay on track or remain accountable. Your timeline will be as unique as your project, typically ranging from 4 months to 2 years.

The Tompkins County 911 Center serves the 100,000+ people who live in this Upstate New York county. Although much of the county is rural, the County Seat of Ithaca is home to Ithaca College and Cornell University. The dispatch center handled nearly 140,000 calls in 2024 alone.

After installing new consoles at the center, Susanne Lottie, Director of Dispatch Sales with Xybix, discussed the process and the results with John Halaychik, Assistant Director of the Tompkins County 911 Center. Watch the interview here and check out the highlights below.

It’s a common question: "What’s the average lifespan of dispatch console furniture?" Potential customers often raise this question, which calls to mind advice shared by a real estate agents during house-hunting: should buyer's ask why sellers are selling? "No, they won’t give you the full story anyway.” It's a fair point. No one’s likely to admit, “The neighbor’s dog barks all night and drives us crazy.“ When questions about console furniture durability arise, it’s tempting to make a remarks like, “It lasts a thousand years!” But the topic is important. Everyone wants to know if the furniture will endure or if unexpected replacement costs will crop up in just a few years. Here is an informed and detailed perspective on what to expect.

Highlights

• Thorough Space & Needs Review
  More than measuring walls — Xybix assesses your layout, equipment, workflows, and future needs.
  
  
• Custom Ergonomic Design
  Designers craft a personalized plan covering desks, monitor placement, lighting, and comfort.
  
  
• Clear Prep & Next Steps
  Get a roadmap for accurate measurements, tech specs, and smooth installation.

A "Meet and Measure" with Xybix is much more than just pulling out a measuring tape and jotting down wall dimensions. It’s the first step in creating a workspace that’s custom designed to your needs. Think HGTV-style renovation, but for your dispatch center! Here’s a  guide to help you prepare and know what to expect during this crucial first step in the process.