In less than ten years, technology has completely overhauled how we communicate and share information. However, this revolution has yet to reach the back-ends of many hotel properties, facilities and warehouses that still rely on the same paper and radio-based legacy systems they have been using for decades for team communication.
Making the switch to a new system can be a daunting task. Here are five questions to ask to ease your experience:
1. Why make the switch?
Traditional systems are limited by range, limited in audio quality, limited in channels and simply don’t meet increasing demands for more efficient, well-managed, well-integrated operations.
Range:
LINX is a cellular broadband/WiFi alternative to traditional two-way communication making coverage nearly infinite when supported by a strong wireless 3G/4G/LTE infrastructure. IP connectivity ensures your accessibility and reachability under even the worst conditions and environments, stretching coverage to nearly all areas worldwide.
Audio Quality:
Reliable communication is crucial when every second counts—whether you’re up against a project deadline, tight delivery schedules or more importantly if an emergency arises. Approximate sub-second call setup and minimal latency with LINX PTT allow you to easily select your contact or group and start speaking right after you push the talk button. It’s that fast. LINX superior voice quality means you connect with your team instantly from virtually anywhere as quickly and clearly as if they were in the same room.
Channels:
Moving communication forward requires breaking the chains of olde. Limitations of how many users or groups that can operate at one time on a network severely restricts true team connectivity and collaborative capabilities. In addition, capped systems will never scale or have the capacity to support your company’s growth. LINX boasts an unlimited number of users and an unlimited number of groups, making channel limits a thing of the past.
What’s more, when using paper or radio-based systems, businesses also miss out on a significant amount of data that can be captured and analyzed to automate systems and improve efficiency; switching to smartphones and mobile applications like LINX instantly expand all enterprise critical capabilities.
2. Have you tested your wireless infrastructure?
Every property varies—some have a designated IT team to oversee work with tech vendors while others rely on vendors to guide on-site engineers, who may or may not have any tech background. Fortunately, LINX requires minimal resources to get up and running and SafeMobile provides support throughout the entire process to get you up and running in a day, not weeks.
What the cloud brings is scale, flexibility, mobility, and advanced communication features that are easily accessible from anywhere at anytime. Research shows that 75 percent of on-premise Unified Communication deployment initiatives fail. If you have a strong wireless infrastructure, LINX will do the rest.
3. Does your property have special requirements?
At SafeMobile, we recognize that every property has a unique set of challenges, needs and requirements that cannot always be fulfilled by a “one size fits all” solution. That’s why LINX was built to support custom development and integration-the system itself is built modularly allowing users to choose which features and functions are right for their business case. We understand that you will have to adapt to a new product, which is why your solution should adapt to your needs too.
4. How will you manage devices?
Before making the switch from a legacy system, teams must decide what to do about new devices. Whether your company is providing devices or leaning toward a BYOD policy, an organized system for managing teams regardless of their device type is crucial. LINX simplifies the process with an easy-to-use Administrative Dashboard that facilitates mobile user management and over-the-air device programming, while the Dispatch Dashboard provides asset tracking and monitoring in real-time. Defining a protocol for new device management is challenging, but implementing policy up front ensures a smooth transition when handling a mix of devices.
5. Can we afford the switch?
By enhancing and utilizing existing WiFi networks and providing low-cost, hand-held devices (or relying on a BYOD policy) for employees, new technology has significantly brought down operating costs. Expensive cabling, wiring or installation is no longer needed in order to operate a professional communication system. No IT department, third-party technicians, complicated equipment or big-budget servers are required either.
LINX also saves you money by providing everything you need to run your operation safely and efficiently in one platform instead of paying individually for high-priced software programs such as wearable employee safety devices, time card applications, workflow and job ticketing, and fleet tracking solutions. Because your data is stored and accessible via a secure cloud system, setting up and managing your LINX network can be done easily, quickly and at a fraction of the cost of traditional communication systems. The connectivity, safety, management and oversight tools that will make your workforce more efficient than ever are also the most cost-effective via a low monthly subscription.