This first day of the new year seems like the perfect time to look back at all that happened at BearCom during 2013, a year that brought new products and solutions, an award for our BC130 two-way radio, a revamped online magazine, and a potential game changer from Motorola Solutions. It was just last month that we announced the opening of the BearCom Network Operations Center (NOC), which can monitor customers' Motorola MOTOTRBO systems around the clock. It provides system diagnostics, real-time visibility, and proactive response to any issues that arise. With the NOC, BearCom can offer our Constant Service Presence to detect any issues, evaluate problems, and even dispatch technicians. "Using the NOC allows us to collect metrics on such things as repeater health, network latency, and channel efficiencies," Ian Torok, BearCom's Director of Technical Services, said in the announcement. "Not only can we detect problems, the NOC gives us the visibility to optimize systems in a way that maximizes efficiency." The news about the NOC came less than a month after BearCom launched its Preventive Maintenance Plans, which help keep organizational efficiency high and equipment lasting longer. "A communications system is only as strong as its weakest link," BearCom President & CEO Jerry Denham said in announcing the new offering. "With a Preventive Maintenance Plan from BearCom, our customers can avoid outages and unexpected repair costs, while ensuring their equipment is operating at peak efficiency." In August, we introduced of a new line of audio accessories that will carry the company name: speaker-microphones and surveillance kits designed for Motorola Solutions' XPR3300 and XPR3500 digital two-way radios and the EVX-531 and VX-450 Series models from Vertex Standard. But BearCom is no stranger to company-branded products. We even have a line of BearCom-branded two-way radios, the most popular of which is the BC130, manufactured by Motorola Solutions. This past fall, the Motorola BC130 was recognized in the Contractors' Top 50 New Products awards made annually by Equipment Today magazine and ForConstructionPros.com. The awards are based on reader interest in earthmoving, road-building, lifting, demolition, transportation, and technology products. The Motorola BC130 was among just four technology products honored. In October, it was we who were honored to serve alongside Motorola Solutions as lead sponsors of a great event that raises money for two Dallas-area charities helping injured servicemen and women. The 2013 AUSA Wounded Warrior Golf Classic raised $43,000 for Heroes on the Water and Operation Once in a Lifetime. The tournament's donation will help Heroes on the Water purchase more kayaks, paddles, life vests, and fishing equipment. Operation Once in a Lifetime is looking to open a third store location and would like to set up an emergency fund for the charity in the face of a steadily growing need for assistance. Among the other highlights from 2013 were an acquisition that expands BearCom's presence in Florida and the re-launch of our online magazine, TodaysWirelessWorld.com. But the biggest news of all in 2013 may have been the introduction of the digital version of one of the most popular radios in Motorola's long and storied history. Digital technology brings improved audio quality and clarity, enhanced coverage, greater efficiency, and longer battery life. The Motorola CP200d has all that, while retaining the simplicity and durability that have helped make the Motorola CP200 so popular. The form factor is virtually the same, and the new model is backward compatible, so it uses the same chargers, batteries, and speaker-microphones. It is also being made available in a digital-capable version that can be converted later from analog to digital operation. In the announcement of the CP200d and new MOTOTRBO models, Motorola Solutions Vice President & Senior Director Hal Herron said, "As we lead the revolution in digital voice and data communications for enterprises, we remain committed to driving the innovation of our two-way radios and accessories to help our customers be their best in the moments that matter." That sure sounds like a company on the move! Onward to 2014!