Efficiency, Safety, and Security Can Be Significantly Improved with Two-Way Radios, Repeaters, Base Stations, and Video Surveillance

July 31, 2014: Dallas, TX — BearCom, a nationwide provider of wireless communications equipment and solutions, today issued advice to K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities on how they can use wireless technologies to improve communications and address concerns around efficiency, safety and security. “To increase student and staff security, many school systems are enhancing their communications systems,” said Hugh Johnston, Product & Purchasing Manager at BearCom. “Adding wireless options that are independent of landline and cellular networks can help equip your district and school campuses for the most critical safety challenges including intruder alerts, mobilizing responders, handling severe weather, medical emergencies, and more.” Johnston added that tragic incidents of violence have drawn attention to the need for timely and reliable communication on school campuses in the case of an emergency. Whether coordinating a campus lockdown or response to a natural disaster, two-way radios allow educational staffs and safety personnel to mobilize emergency response plans instantly and efficiently in situations where seconds matter. Schools can turn to one of the most popular two-way radios ever released, the Motorola CP200 from Motorola Solutions. The CP200 is lightweight, durable, and easy to use. It is now available in a digital version, the Motorola CP200d, which retains the radio’s simplicity and durability while delivering all the advantages of digital technology. Another option is the Motorola BC130, an economical, easy-to-use radio available exclusively through BearCom. Durable design, lightweight, low-cost, and user-friendly operation makes this model ideal for schools. The Motorola XPR7550 digital radio is perfect for maintenance departments. This two-way radio seamlessly integrates voice and data. It has enhanced, easy-to-use features and offers advantages such as integrated Bluetooth and Intelligent Audio to improve communications. Vertex Standard manufactures several radios ideally suited for education. With a durable design and affordable price ideal for education, the BC95 from Vertex Standard boasts features including a textured push-to-talk button, two programmable buttons, and follow-me scan. The high-value Vertex VX-231 two-way analog radio provides four scanning options, wide band coverage, excellent signaling features, and improved ergonomics. An affordable and easy to use digital two-way radio, the EVX-531 offers 32 channels, two groups, and three programmable keys. The EVX-534 model features a full display with 512 channels, 32 groups, seven programmable keys, text messaging, and Auto-Range Transpond System. Repeaters and base stations add enormous power and flexibility to a two-way radio network. Repeaters help keep staff reachable with voice and data wherever they go on campus. A base station allows an organization to coordinate radio communications at a single site. Base stations are perfect for organizations that have fleets of vehicles (such as school buses), or any radio network with large numbers of people who need to be supervised. The presence of IP video surveillance has been shown to deter criminal activity. Cameras can immediately notify security officers of any strangers in the school hallways. Wireless cameras don’t require extensive cabling, just a power source. These systems can be monitored remotely, even from mobile devices. They can provide recordings as well as live viewing. Images can be used to spot dangerous activities and prevent them. Call boxes placed strategically around your campus also deter crime and improve security using the emergency-alert function built into most two-way radios. When the push-to-talk button is depressed, an alert goes to staff or security personnel who can respond immediately. “Student safety is of the utmost importance in a school setting,” Johnston said. “Education personnel need access to instant one-to-many communications to manage both routine and extraordinary situations on campus.”

About BearCom

BearCom provides a broad line of high-performance wireless communications products, services, and complete mobility solutions. Founded in 1981, BearCom is America's only nationwide dealer and integrator of wireless communications equipment, serves customers from 28 branch offices located throughout the U.S., has several affiliated offices around the world, and employs approximately 400 people. BearCom is headquartered in the Dallas, Texas area. For more information, visit http://www.BearCom.com and http://www.TodaysWirelessWorld.com. For assistance with Sales, contact BearCom at 800.527.1670; for assistance with Rentals, 800.541.9333; for assistance with Service, 800.449.5695. MOTOROLA, MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS and the Stylized M Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola Trademark Holdings, LLC and are used under license. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2014 Motorola Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. Vertex Standard is a trademark of Vertex Standard LMR, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2014 Vertex Standard LMR, Inc. All rights reserved.