PTT radios keep FM teams connected and safe

Issue 2 2022 Security Services & Risk Management

Facilities management (FM) covers a wide range of disciplines and services designed to ensure the efficient operation, comfort and safety of buildings, grounds, infrastructure, and property management. FM delivers and maintains the services, supplies and equipment that organisations depend on for the smooth running of their operations.

Good communications are absolutely essential for FM managers and staff to enable them to carry out their jobs efficiently and safely. Supervisors need to coordinate teams of workers who may be carrying out tasks in different locations and be in contact with staff working alone in remote areas. It is vital that FM staff can contact managers and colleagues instantly at anytime, anywhere.

If FM tasks are essential to the organisation’s operations, then a business-critical communications system such as a two-way radio network should be considered. A private Hytera Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) system allows signal coverage, capacity and the required level of network availability and resilience to be tailored to the exact needs of the organisation and its facilities.

These two-way radios deliver instant, push-to-talk (PTT) services with clear audio. DMR’s group calling capability means managers can communicate with large numbers of staff simultaneously, which is much faster and more efficient than trying to contact them all individually via mobile phones.

If the communication system is not business critical, then a Hytera Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) solution provides a cost-effective alternative. PoC provides the same PTT individual, group, broadcast and emergency calling as DMR, but over public 4G mobile phone networks. Unlike DMR there is no infrastructure investment, but coverage and network availability are in the hands of the mobile operator.

PoC has the advantage of providing a wide area network with national coverage and, unlike DMR, it can support a full range of broadband applications including video and data services. It is also possible to integrate DMR and PoC services, so DMR radio users and PoC users can communicate by voice and messaging.

PTT radios support a range of worker safety features including priority access emergency calling, Man Down and Lone Worker alarms, as well as GPS location-based services. GPS allows supervisors to track and monitor staff remotely using geo-fencing and geo-location technology, enabling them to quickly pinpoint their location should they need assistance.

PoC and DMR support status messaging, job ticketing and workflow management systems, which are widely used in FM. This helps to improve worker efficiency and productivity and enables FM departments to provide a better, more timely service to their customers.

Both technologies can also be integrated with alarms, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. It is quite common for fire alarms to be linked directly to radios, for example. As more buildings and facilities incorporate smart IoT systems, many more applications and pieces of equipment can be connected to radios as well.

This enables remote automation and control of assets such as switching machines or lights on and off. FM managers can be sent automatic temperature or humidity readings from machine or cold storage rooms or receive an alert on the radio if an air conditioning unit is malfunctioning, for example.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Risk management and compliance enforcement
Security Services & Risk Management
Having a risk management and compliance programme (RMCP) is not just a procedural formality; it is a legal requirement under Section 42 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA).

Read more...
The dangers of poor-quality solar cables
Security Services & Risk Management Smart Home Automation
Reports indicate that one in six fires attended by South African firefighters is linked to substandard solar installations, often due to faulty wiring or incompatible components.

Read more...
Growing risks for employers
Security Services & Risk Management
With South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 32% and expected to rise beyond 33% this year, desperation is fuelling deception in the job market. Trust is no longer a given, it is a gamble.

Read more...
Chubbsafes celebrates 190 years
Gunnebo Safe Storage Africa News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Chubbsafes marks its 190th anniversary in 2025 and as a highlight of the anniversary celebrations it is launching the Chubbsafes 1835, a limited edition 190th-anniversary collector’s safe.

Read more...
New law enforcement request portal
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
inDrive launches law enforcement request portal in South Africa to support safety investigations. New portal allows authorised South African law enforcement officials to securely request user data related to safety incidents.

Read more...
Continuous AML risk monitoring
Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management Financial (Industry)
AU10TIX, launched continuous risk monitoring as part of its advanced anti-money laundering (AML) solution, empowering businesses to detect behavioural anomalies and emerging threats as they arise.

Read more...
Growing risks for employers
Security Services & Risk Management
With South Africa’s unemployment rate exceeding 32% and expected to rise beyond 33% this year, desperation is fuelling deception in the job market. Trust is no longer a given, it’s a gamble.

Read more...
Managing mining physical security risks
Zulu Consulting Security Services & Risk Management Mining (Industry) Facilities & Building Management
[Sponsored] Risk-IO, a web app from Zulu Consulting, is designed to assist risk managers in automating and streamlining enterprise risk management processes, ensuring no steps are skipped and everything is securely documented.

Read more...
SAFPS issues SAPS impersonation scam warning
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) is warning the public against a scam in which scammers pose as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and trick and intimidate individuals into handing over personal and financial information.

Read more...
Rewriting the rules of reputation
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
Public Relations is more crucial than ever in the generative AI and LLMs age. AI-driven search engines no longer just scan social media or reviews, they prioritise authoritative, editorial content.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.