How to Budget for Transportation & Utilities Workstations

Posted by Doug Herman on Mar 8, 2023 7:24:23 AM

Control rooms for transportation and utilities see 24/7/365 use, contain a massive amount of technology, and host employees in charge of functions that are critical to all our daily lives. As a result, these rooms need specialized workstations that are highly functional, comfortable, and built to last. These projects generally require a capital expenditure, which requires a budget request—and approval.

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Topics: Design, Pricing, Command Centers, Pre-Planning

4 Ways to Improve Morale While Updating Your Dispatch Center

Posted by Doug Herman on Feb 15, 2023 7:26:38 AM

It’s easy to say that creating a nicer workspace improves morale—but can you prove it? Tina Buneta can.

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Topics: Design, Dispatch, Pre-Planning, Brief Overview

Why a Zigzag Configuration May Work Best for Your Dispatch Center

Posted by Doug Herman on Jan 11, 2023 9:21:36 AM

Most of us think that interior designers make spaces beautiful with paint, furniture and artwork choices. In the dispatch world, however, I would say that the No. 1 function of an interior designer is to solve space problems. Unless we’re talking about new construction, most centers have space challenges, whether it’s the size or shape of the room or the placement of columns and electrical boxes.

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Topics: Design, Dispatch, Pre-Planning, Brief Overview

10 Keys to Designing a Transportation Control Room

Posted by Doug Herman on Mar 2, 2022 7:40:25 AM

After perfecting the design of 911 dispatch centers decades ago, our designers here at Xybix are increasingly applying the same principals to transportation control rooms. Whether you’re directing planes, trains or automobiles, the room you’re in and the desk you’re at make an impact on how you handle your mission-critical tasks throughout the day. We’ve worked closely with everyone from air traffic controls to railroad engineers to bus dispatchers to understand what you need and how you work. Here’s a summary of what we’ve learned.

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Topics: Installation Information, Design, Features, Utilities, Transportation, & Casinos, Command Centers, Brief Overview

Your Complete Checklist for Reviewing Floorplans, Renderings and Virtual Walkthroughs

Posted by Emily Houston on Nov 10, 2021 7:32:17 AM

Reviewing floorplans, renderings and virtual walkthroughs is generally not an everyday occurrence for professionals in dispatch, command & control and healthcare centers. In some organizations, the project manager may have two or three remodels or new builds under his or her belt, but most of the time we’re talking about a once-in-a-career project. And yet, you’re being asked to sign off on a project that runs thousands of dollars and is intended to last 10 to 20 years!

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Topics: Installation Information, Design, Pre-Planning, Brief Overview, Architecture

Preventing Eyestrain in 24-7 Operations

Posted by Cher Ice on Oct 12, 2021 7:19:04 AM

7/11. The average American spends 7 hours and 11 minutes looking at a screen each day. I venture to say it’s even worse in 24/7 operations such as 911 dispatch, security/surveillance and emergency operations centers. Add to that the increases in smoke and pollution in the air, and our poor eyes are strained. Fortunately, inexpensive quick fixes are at the ready.

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Design, Brief Overview

Keep It Clean this Cold & Flu Season

Posted by Doug Herman on Sep 21, 2021 7:36:47 AM

During this long Covid adventure, we’re finally coming to a consensus on one thing: The virus very rarely spreads through surface contact. But do you know what does thrive on surfaces—especially hard surfaces—for hours? Cold and flu viruses. Experts aren’t sure how our Covid habits will impact this year’s cold and flu season. But I’m sure that I don’t want a cold or the flu or Covid. So I looked back through the Xybix blog archives for tips on staying healthy at this time of year.

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Design, Brief Overview

Desk Treadmill Helps Jumpstart a Dispatcher’s Journey to Fitness

Posted by Amanda Schwartz on Aug 31, 2021 7:33:56 AM

When Michelle Foster shared her health and fitness journey with me, I could almost hear Tim McGraw in the background singing “Someday I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying.” In the spring of 2017, a cancer scare—fortunately, benign—inspired Michelle to commit to her physical and mental health. “For the last five years, I’ve lived every day to the fullest,” says Michelle. “I live with no regret. You can’t imagine how much better your life gets if you live like that.”

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Design, Brief Overview

One Way to Prevent the Great Resignation in Healthcare

Posted by Mike Graham on Aug 24, 2021 8:05:23 AM

Front-line workers in healthcare are simply burned out, and I don’t need to tell you why. Meanwhile, many of those in healthcare who could work from home did during the worst of the pandemic…and they’re not all that interested in going back. Experts are predicting that the Great Resignation, already alive and well in healthcare, will gain momentum in the fall.

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Design, Brief Overview

Costco Comes to the Rescue for CTS

Posted by Ken Carson on Aug 17, 2021 7:33:46 AM

It’s a happy day in my house when the Costco Connection magazine arrives. Flipping through it is like an extension of the treasure hunt that is a trip through the Costco warehouse. The latest issue had the last thing I would expect from my favorite purveyor of paper towels—some really good information on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).  

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Topics: Employee Health, Ergonomics, Design, Brief Overview