3 Quick Cable Management Hacks You Can Implement Now

Posted by Kathleen Utley on Sep 27, 2017 11:45:56 AM

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Cable management (or the lack thereof) is a HOT topic for public safety professionals, especially 911 dispatchers.

“Ugh, our cables just hang down.”

“ We end up unplugging things, and we can’t use our height-adjustable tables.”

These are sentiments I’ve heard time and time again. Poorly managed cables can be a recipe for disaster, even for the cleanest of Comm Centers. This can lead to stress in an already stressful environment. In recent years, several dispatch console manufacturers have made improvements to their cable management. While this is a step in the right direction, you’re probably wondering what you can do NOW instead of having to resort to purchasing new furniture.

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Topics: Features, Cleaning & Sanitation

It’s Electric! Boogie Woogie Dispatch Workstations

Posted by Maria Teruel on Sep 8, 2017 12:34:38 PM

ElectricBoogie.gifDon’t pretend like you don’t remember the song! Unlike this catchy tune, discussing dispatch workstations electrical requirements can be forgotten about until  a few weeks prior to installation. When you’re  discussing dispatch workstation requirements during initial meetings with your sales manager, it’s important to have IT personnel present, as doing so  will help to make sure you review cabling or electrical requirements. While it might seem too soon to discuss electrical components, especially if you’re in the beginning  phases of budgeting for dispatch workstations, it’s still important to start turning the gears now. Ignoring these questions upfront could incur unwanted costs later in the event you make room changes or need to bring in an electrician.

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Topics: Features

Dispatch Console Furniture Trends at APCO 2017

Posted by Ken Carson on Aug 23, 2017 11:56:27 AM

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I usually like to do a review on all of the competitors and highlight what was new at APCO 2017. I was busy this year (busy is a good thing), so I didn’t really get to check everything out this year.  

That being said, I still took notice of overall trends that will affect what your dispatch console furniture will look like in the next few years. Here’s my two cents on what to expect in the near future:

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Topics: Features, Pricing, Dispatch

Is your 911 Comm Center Ready for the Future?

Posted by Ken Carson on Jul 27, 2017 2:33:38 PM

Large 50in Monitor.jpgTechnology is pushing the 911 industry forward. Technological advancement is an important element of helping emergency responders and dispatchers be efficient at their jobs, and because of this, it is always a challenge to keep up with new emerging technologies. Of course the private sector gets the latest in new developments first, and then they work their way into public safety market. What similarly seems to happen is that the digital side of the product pushes the envelope, and afterwards, the hardware side is left to catch up.

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Topics: Features, Dispatch

Buying A New House vs Buying New Dispatch Consoles

Posted by Kathleen Utley on Jul 14, 2017 3:31:25 PM

NewHouseDispatchConsoles.jpgIf you have ever bought a new house, you know that the house comes basically as a shell. Without knowing it, this probably means that you'll be getting carpet in your kitchen and laminate flooring throughout. As for the carpet, you'll get the choice a hideous shade of gray or an even worse shade of what they call "beige" and a lackluster carpet pad that might as well be non-existent. Anything that would be included and installed as “standard” is often the cheapest of the cheap. You'll have to expand your budget or subtract some common features if you’re even going to start thinking about doing things like changing the paint color or adding hardwood floors. All the sudden that dream home you'd visioned is looking a bit more cloudy.

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Topics: Features, Pricing, Dispatch

How Do You Measure Quality in a Command Center Console?

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on Jun 22, 2017 2:01:43 PM

Quality.jpgThis time of year, many organizations are planning to remodel, upgrade or build a new command center. If this is happening for you, the amount of decisions you need to make for success of the project can seem enormous. One of the decisions may include new consoles, desks and furniture for the project. Now is the time to go for it! The budget approval for your new consoles may be relatively small as compared to the million dollar or so project at hand, but, how it can help your operator’s daily lives is huge.

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Topics: Features, Command Centers, Pre-Planning

Stress at Work for 911 Dispatch: 4 Ways to Improve Your Work Area

Posted by Kathleen Utley on May 9, 2017 6:00:00 AM

We all know by now that stress can be a huge issue for those in 911 dispatch. But, what if you could eliminate some stress with a few helpful suggestions, would you? Well, what about something as simple as improving your work area? Yes, the place where you spend a significant amount of time at during your work day. Think it’s worth a try to reduce stress and dissatisfaction? I do. So here are my tips for improving your work area:

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Topics: Employee Health, Features, Cleaning & Sanitation

Increase Operator’s Performance: 1 Key Leadership Trait to Start Today

Posted by Gail Gerlesits on May 1, 2017 8:56:33 AM

Leadership.jpgAs Chief, Supervisor or Head Operator of a Command Center, you want your people to bring their "A Game" everyday. So, what can you do on a daily basis to make a difference for your people and improve their performance? The April edition of SUCCESS magazine, in an article titled, “The ROI of Compassion,” leadership guru John C. Maxwell sums it up:

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Features, Command Centers

4 Types of Lighting in a 911 Dispatch Center

Posted by Ken Carson on Apr 27, 2017 1:57:26 PM

4 Types of Lighting in a 911 Dispatch Center.jpgThere are four types of lighting in a 911 dispatch center. There isn’t a right or wrong way to go about it, and each center utilizes a different approach when it comes to illumination. Similarly, each shift will use lighting differently based on the preferences of dispatchers and the time of day. Heck, even each dispatcher will have a different opinion on which lighting option is best for them.

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Topics: Features

Dispatch Consoles, Cable Management and Birthdays?

Posted by Ken Carson on Mar 16, 2017 3:27:25 PM

Cable Management.jpgMy oldest son’s 17th birthday was on March 2nd. As many of you know, it’s incredible how kids change and grow by that age. As all parents feel about their children, I am so proud of him and what he has done so far in his life that I cannot say enough good things.

This brings me around to a Xybix installation job that I visited which installed in 1999. This means it was shortly before my son was even born. Just like my son has changed, how we build our dispatch consoles and even how we run the business at Xybix has transformed as well.

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Topics: Installation Information, Features, Dispatch, Pre-Planning, Customer Service & Troubleshooting