Can the use of IP-based PTT platforms allow for a more profitable, secure and efficient working environment in the security space?
The global security industry is growing at a rapid pace. More professional and coordinated operations across disciplines and geographical borders among criminals is one of the drivers of the increased demand for advanced security services. This calls for more intense surveillance and security, according to the Europol “Serious and Organized Crime Assessment Report.” Gartner puts the global security market at $86 billion, with annual growth of close to 9%, citing the “growing complexity of attacks.”
At the same time, the security industry finds itself in a consolidation phase, adapting new technologies with a strong focus on digital services and offers of security-as-a-service. Intense competition in the industry also is squeezing profits, forcing security companies to focus on more logistically efficient solutions, cost savings, and smarter and safer interactions among security staff.
Outdated communications routines
An important factor for safe and efficient security monitoring is the successful coordination and interconnection between guards and security control centers while patrolling, especially when covering large areas such as shopping malls, hotels, airports, event venues, logistics centers, etc. However, most security staff around the world still uses traditional and outdated two-way radios with a momentary button to switch from voice reception mode to transmit mode when communicating. Building radio networks and then programming and providing two-way radios is complicated and time-consuming. This is ancient and inefficient communication technology, not suitable for an industry with low margins that also needs to be in the technological forefront, aiming to be secure, flexible, efficient and profitable.
Until now, development and deployment of efficient communication tools have been very costly and complicated. In some cases the technology has become outdated before it has been completely rolled out. For smaller security companies it has not even been an option. For them it has been virtually impossible, for economic reasons, to get a modern communications solution with a good geographical coverage.
PTT technology improves security company’s competitiveness
This is about to change since there is huge potential to improve communication among the members of the security staff with more modern, yet simple and user-friendly technologies. An increasing number of security companies tend to abandon the ancient walkie-talkie communication solutions, replacing them with more modern communications solutions based on digital models such as the push-to-talk cellular phones, a service that enables subscribers to use their phones as walkie-talkies with unlimited range over the existing mobile networks. PTT has several advantages:
· Enables simple and safe communication between employees through the push of a single button;
· It is a cost-efficient cloud-based solution that allows communication directly through the users’ smartphones – and tablets/laptops;
· It is secure;
· It uses existing mobile networks, with no need to build and maintain your own network;
· The sound is much clearer than walkie-talkies, which reduces the likelihood of misunderstanding;
· The administrator easily controls the number of users, PTT groups (known as “channels” when using walkie-talkies) and user access;
· The solution can include push-to-talk accessories such as acoustic headsets, etc.;
· Use of Bluetooth-based PTT buttons in combination with smartphones for instant voice communication;
· It is fast, taking just takes hours to rollout a cloud-based PTT service to companies with thousand of users;
· It is easy to connect different organizations with PTT;
· The flexibility to control who receives panic alarms and the routing of voice communication is “game-changing” in relation to how traditional two-way radios and alarm solutions are working;
· The new technology-based smartphones can be easily integrated with existing communication radio systems so companies can benefit from the investments already made; and
· With an IP-based PTT solution, services are no longer geographically limited. Now PTT services can communicate across borders and globally, as well as with users at sea and in aircraft.
Many companies in the security industry have come to appreciate the flexibility in a solution that could be used on different staffing sizes, without having to make major new investments in communication systems. Being able to link staff in a communications network provides them an opportunity to share information and resources in a way that they have not been able to do with their previous traditional communications systems. This is a solution that not only gives the user an integrated panic alarm in the service, but it saves them money compared to purchasing separate personal alarms for each on the staff.
‘Substantial savings’
Big security companies have the resources to be in the forefront and adopt new communication solutions, and most of them are already rolling out smartphone-based solutions. Interestingly, with the cloud-based PTT services, the barrier to use the new solutions is virtually gone for companies of all sizes and the small/medium business segment is a fast mover to leverage these solutions to get a competitive edge.
A real-life example of this is Norwegian security company, Telemark Sikkerhet, which in 2016 wanted to improve communication among the staff and make it more secure. The result can only be described as fantastic. The solution has improved communication in the working process for Telemark Sikkerhet with results such as:
• Improved security surveillance;
• Improved competitiveness;
• Reduced cost; and
• Dedicated staff and improved work environment.
Smartphones are used to share information and status by both voice and text in order to improve accuracy, traceability and efficiency in communications. Text-based communication adds traceability and clarity to PTT, creating an unbeatable combination. Automated machine-to-machine communications also is gaining popularity as a supplement to PTT, in the airline industry, for example, providing status updates like boarding and refueling completion in aircraft turnarounds. Security companies can use status messages when they arrive at a destination, enter a specific area, have completed a task, etc., to keep guards and the dispatch staff at the security control center up to date with the latest status.
Time limited and defined project tool
Security is perhaps one of the industries that can draw the most obvious benefits from the new advanced PTT group communications solutions. But PTT also has gained interest from organizations in other industries in which instant group communications are instrumental, such as aviation, construction/infrastructure, energy and retail.
An increasing number of companies appreciate the fact that the new solutions are cost-efficient, scalable and flexible, and allow staff of various sizes to communicate without having to make major new investments in communication systems.
Being able to link people working together in what can be described as “time limited and clearly defined short projects” in a user-friendly communications network gives them an opportunity to share information and resources in a way that they have not been able to do with their previous traditional communication devices.
PTT solutions based on standard smartphones and tablets/laptops make group communications faster, more flexible, secure – and, not least – more cost-efficient. It might be the single most efficient and beneficial measure that the security industry can implement as the solution in their quest for improved packaged services and lower costs.
Magnus Hedberg is founder and CEO of the Nordic tech company GroupTalk and CEO of Satpoint. GroupTalk is a Swedish leading provider of enterprise push-to-talk group voice communications services. Hedberg is a serial entrepreneur with decade-long experience of founding and managing tech companies and an expert in software, technical development and communications solutions. He was one of the founders of Marratech, a Swedish company that produced software for e-meetings, later sold to Google. Hedberg has an MSc from the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden.
Editor’s Note: The RCR Wireless News Reality Check section is where C-level executives and advisory firms from across the mobile industry share unique insights and experiences.
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