IEN: What are the major safety/security concerns facing the industry? How can they be addressed?
Access Spectrum: Safety concerns range from operations to employees. There are many different applications for enhancing safety for corporations today. While post-9/11 communications budgets have not necessarily increased to address solutions to enhance safety, cost-effective solutions do exist. For example, the core communications systems of many companies run on a common carrier system. During a major, widespread crisis, systems become overworked and access, consequently, becomes limited. For this reason, many companies are returning to private communications networks that they control and own. In the case of an industrial plant, critical communications to employees can be maintained during a crisis with a private system.
IEN: What innovations are in store for users in protective products, ergonomic design, safety/security equipment and systems, environmental equipment, software, training, and other areas?
Access Spectrum: Wireless surveillance has heightened interest. With transmitters and data feedback to a central location, a company can keep track of everything going on in a building or office campus. In terms of new applications, there are new data devices that can monitor water.
IEN: Will wireless technology play an increasing role in safety/security? If so, how?
Access Spectrum: Absolutely. Effective monitoring requires flexibility, and wireless technology is flexible in its application and location.
IEN: To what extent can companies integrate safety and security technologies within the industrial enterprise?
Access Spectrum: First alert devices, ruthless preemption on radio devices, emergency messaging, and top of the queue immediate communications devices are all technologies that play a critical role in industrial enterprise security. They can be targeted to an entire enterprise or a specific group. And they can be tailored to specific environments. Enterprises operating on private communications systems are showing great interest in these communications options, as a means to creating more secure environments for their employees and communities. (Common carrier systems cannot offer such devices.)
IEN: What additional issues do you see for industry?
Access Spectrum: Each industrial enterprise should develop or refine its crisis communications plan with involvement and input from local EMS, police, and fire units. It would be wise to have interoperable communications devices. Plus, local EMS, police, and fire organizations would welcome this type of proactive call.