Industry Watch

What is the right communications solution for your business?

You need to find the best way for your company to communicate, but the options are sometimes unclear. Cellular looks like a good idea, and a phone in your pocket is definitely cool. But what about two-way radio or wide-area paging? How might the new digital services fit in your communications plan?

Our work with customers has shown that a common usage pattern emerges. Attention to a few key questions will almost certainly point you to the right communications system.

Consider these:

• What range do I need in a communications system?
• Who do I speak with most often; other employees in the field or the shop or the public at large?
• How much time do I use?
• What is my ongoing budget for communications?
• Your communications solution may include one of the following;

Cellular

Everyone knows how convenient a cell phone can be, and how expensive. But if you work alone or if a majority of your communication is with people outside of your company, a cell phone may be the best choice. If this is not entirely true for you, you may want to explore the possibility of using another option in addition to your cell phone. The choice to add a two-way radio may significantly decrease your cellular costs.

Conventional Two-Way

A private two-way radio system allows you unlimited communication within a specific range, without a recurring monthly cost. You purchase or lease the equipment, obtain your own frequency license from the FCC (we assist you with this), and you're in business. The greatest determining factor for this option is the size of your communication range. This option, when looked at over the period of three or four years, is almost always less expensive than cellular. When you assess your needs, you may also discover that a combination of conventional two-way radio and cellular is what you need.

Trunking provides private two-way radio communications within a thirty to forty mile range, and offers individual paging and phone capabilities. Unlimited Dispatch access is just a fraction of the cost of cellular, and is not metered. This allows you to know exactly what your communication expense will be month to month, before you open the bill.

The initial equipment investment for two-way trunking is more expensive than cellular, but the ongoing monthly savings makes it possible to recapture the initial cost within a short time (see cost comparison). Our experience has shown that those people who work within a defined region and speak primarily with people in their own employee group benefit most from this option. Professional contractors, transportation companies, active farmers and some manufacturers are ideal candidates. Some customers who use two-way radio trunking expand their communication range with access to more than one trunking tower. Because each company's situation is different, Integrated Communications will take time to learn about individual communication needs before making a recommendation. If you would like a wireless communication assessment, call us at a location nearest you.

Compare the cost of two-way radio to cellular

Cellular phones are everywhere, but are frequently not the most affordable option for portable communication.

Compare:

• Cost for 4 units 2-way radio (trunking) Cellular
• Cost of new equipment $2800 $500
• Monthly cost of equipment over 3 years $77.78 $13.86
• Monthly service per unit(national average) $18 $50
  
  
• Total monthly cost for service $40 $200
• Complete cost per month over 3 years $117.78 $213.86
• Total cost, 3 years $4240.08 $7698.96