The bigger a two-way radio network gets, the harder it becomes to keep everything up and running at peak efficiency. A sophisticated two-way radio network contains a web of radios, repeaters and transmitters that might connect hundreds of two-way radios. As more radio owners switch to digital transmissions, they are adding their radio networks to their Internet protocol, or IP, networks. That, in turn, integrates their digital transmissions into their wider IT infrastructure. As a leading provider of two-way radio networks, BearCom has developed extensive expertise in troubleshooting problems in radio transmissions. All that comes into play with BearCom’s managed services, which allow us to monitor a customer’s network in real time and get problems solved much more quickly because a technician can fix the problem remotely rather than travel to the customer’s site. BearCom’s Network Operations Center In December 2013, BearCom announced its Network Operations Center, or NOC, would become available to customers who purchase radio networks from BearCom. BearCom was already using the NOC for its rental network operations, so it was just a matter of making those same services available to non-rental customers. “With the NOC, we can offer what we call Constant Service Presence to detect any issues, evaluate problems and even dispatch technicians if that’s warranted,” said BearCom President & CEO Jerry Denham. One potential job for the NOC: providing around-the-clock monitoring of customers’ Motorola MOTOTRBO systems. These managed services can run system diagnostics that see issues in real time and respond immediately to issues as they arise. The system can be configured to transmit alarms via e-mail for resolution. Fixes can be made by BearCom staff or on-site technicians. Ian Torok, Director of Technical Services at BearCom, says the NOC can collect data on repeater health, network latency and channel efficiencies. Once problems are detected, optimum configurations can be developed to make the entire network run more smoothly. “The most important benefit of our new Network Operations Center is the peace of mind it will give our customers,” Torok said. “They no longer have to determine outages and report them. We know about any problems, and we know about them early.” Examples of managed services Picture a utility company preparing for a major storm that is bound to knock out power across a broad region. The company will depend on the reliability of its two-way radio network to dispatch repair crews to the scenes of outages. A managed services contract would allow BearCom to monitor their networks and make sure they have enough capacity when crews come in from out of state to help with repairs. Managed services could also be structured so they kick in for short periods, like when a police department is helping provide security to a large sporting event, without saddling the client with the cost of full-time coverage. Issues for managed services Security is probably the main concern for BearCom customers, who may be loath to allow outsiders access to their IT infrastructure. BearCom can consult with customers to find the optimum mix of network security and real-time monitoring. Managed services can also generate a wealth of data on the efficiency of a communications network, highlighting peak usage times and potential bottlenecks. BearCom can help users determine the best way to mine this valuable data for profitable insights. BearCom can offer managed services a la carte or as part of a broader service package including extended warranties and service-level agreements. It’s all a matter of what’s best for the individual customer.