February 15, 2017 by Aleksandra Ikanowicz

Analog vs. Digital Two-Way Radios: Why it Pays to Start the Migration Now

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Industries: Education Manufacturing Transportation & Logistics

Topics: Business-Critical Applications MOTOTRBO Infrastructure MOTOTRBO Two-way Radios Unified Team Communications

Does your aging communications solution have you thinking about what’s next? When it comes to unified communications, analog radios have long been a reliable option, but today, digital two-way radios offer a range of benefits that make them the undeniable next step. Here’s why it makes sense to upgrade now.

 

Next-Level Efficiency and Productivity

 

Remember when you had to carry around multiple devices, one dedicated to email, one for phone calls, and a laptop for business applications? Today, smartphones combine the best features from each device. But smartphones are not always the best solution on the job and where they fall short, digital two-way radios pick up for reliable, unified communication and collaboration.

 

With WAVE™ Workgroup Communications, workers can instantly communicate with one-button push-to-talk (PTT) access across any device ranging from two-way radios, smartphones and landlines to intercoms and PCs. So, someone using a smartphone off-site can instantly communicate with an employee using MOTOTRBO, onsite. Since data and voice features are all on one device, both management and employees can receive real-time information, the location of people and assets, and other critical data that drives much more informed decision-making, previously not possible on analog.

 

The Basics, Evolved

 

Moving to a digital two-way radio network also offers some exciting advances to core communications functionality, including better voice quality, increased radio capacity, better signal coverage, and longer battery life.

 

Just like the jump from cellular phones to the modern smartphone, the jump to digital two-way radios allows users to hear and be heard much more clearly, without static or distortion. This is because when you use a traditional analog radio, every sound that’s picked up by the microphone is transmitted. Digital offers much clearer sound, with features such as background noise-cancellation and intelligent audio. The result is extraordinary voice clarity that stays sharper, even as the signal gets farther out of range.

 

Digital two-way radio networks are also very efficient with spectrum requirements, so they can accommodate two completely separate “channels” in one 12.5 kHz channel, allowing you to double the number of devices on the same channel, without fear of interference.

 

Plus, because digital technology is more energy-efficient than analog, MOTOTRBO radios can last much longer on a single charge, up to 40% longer, so users can communicate the entire day without recharging.

 

Integrated Safety Features

 

Since radios are usually carried throughout the day and readily available, they can be a key worker safety tool. For instance, at times when reading may not be safe, MOTOTRBO can read texts out loud so workers keep their attention on the task at hand. Or for urgent communications, the Transmit Interrupt feature clears all channels to broadcast emergency messages across the entire network at once.

 

What’s more, advanced location-tracking can mean faster response times in emergencies. Digital capabilities allow MOTOTRBO users to easily sound an emergency distress call for assistance, emitting a continuous loud alarm, which along with GPS tracking, can help rescuers locate those in need of assistance.

 

Future-Proof Your Communications with a Unified Communication Platform

 

Sure, digital radios are a smart investment today, but they’re also just as smart down the road. They can leverage technology already in place, including a large variety of the equipment you already own, like towers, site antennas, power, and civil works, so you can add digital capabilities at your own pace.

 

If you aren’t ready to make a full migration, know that MOTOTRBO radios have built-in analog and digital functionality, which means you can configure a mix of channels to use on each radio while you make the transition to digital, one device at a time, workgroup by workgroup, or all at once. As your organization grows, your digital radio platform makes it easy and cost-efficient to add new users.

 

Going forward, operational costs are more predictable because your digital system gives you greater visibility over usage patterns, so you can manage infrastructure more efficiently. Even benefits like longer battery life, which mean fewer charges, can quickly add up to cost savings.

 

Does Your Business Communication System Measure Up? Get a Custom Report!

 

Want to learn more and bring your business into the future? Answer a few short questions about your current business communication solution and receive a personalized report, free. Get started today!

 

Motorola Solutions – Communication Assessment

 

 

 

 

 

 

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