Push-to-talk with guaranteed 4G network access: Flash SmartCom

Business-critical communications

We speak of business-critical communication when it is essential to the business process and a communication failure could cause damage. Examples include security, emergency response teams, water boards, city wardens, large event organizations and public utilities.

Mission-critical communications

Mission-critical communication means communication is essential to people’s safety: a failure could have fatal consequences. In this area, our solution is often used within transport and logistics, industry, (petro)chemicals, and public order and safety. Customers frequently combine it with mobile device management software to secure mobile devices, and integrate it with the control-room application for alarm follow-up.

Communication within a large geographical area

Finally, some customers use Flash SmartCom for communication across an area so large that local resources alone are no longer sufficient.

Situations where Flash SmartCom is the answer

In the following situations, Flash SmartCom is an ideal communication solution:

1. Reach all employees inside and outside the company at the touch of a button.
2. Managing drivers nationwide.
3. Short-term events where direct communication is needed for security.
4. Providing regionally working home care workers with a smartphone app that allows them to communicate with a single tap.
5. Field service workers who can communicate and alert in remote areas at the touch of a button.

The three key benefits of our PTT solution

1. Security: always a good connection

With Flash SmartCom, you have guaranteed network access with priority on Odido’s network, which is the best network in the Netherlands in most independent tests. The network priority ensures flawless communication, even when the network is busy, for example.

Almost 100 percent availability

Thanks in part to the large number of sites (>5000), the Odido network has national coverage of nearly 100 percent, a large data capacity and both high availability and speed. Because the network has multiple overlapping base stations, if one base station fails, coverage is taken over by another. In addition, T-Mobile has a backup power supply of at least three hours per site. Result? Nearly 100 percent availability of (data) connections.

Advantages over traditional walkie-talkies

Mission-critical push-to-talk has significant advantages over traditional walkie-talk: you can use many more (data-based) functionalities and you do not have to deal with geographical limitations.

User levels

We also offer security through user levels, which can be defined and managed at the customer level. An emergency room operator, for example, has a higher user level so that he can override ongoing calls to ensure that messages always get through.

Fallback: second provider

Do you want even more security? Then you can opt for our fallback service, which gives you a second network provider for maximum availability.

2. Flexibility: move with your needs

Flash SmartCom exudes flexibility in everything. For example, it is a complete service with no restrictions on the number of users or groups. As a system integrator, Flash Private Mobile Networks (Flash PMN) also provides a large number of services, which you can purchase modularly. For example, we can link existing systems, including walkie-talkie networks and paging and alarm systems, to our push-to-talk service.

3. Full service: from device to on-site support

As a complete service, Flash SmartCom includes mobile devices (including accessories) with push-to-talk application, SIM cards with priority, network connections and other applications if required. Flash PMN installs the applications as well as configures, manages and maintains the devices. Thanks to mobile device management, we can do a lot remotely, minimizing the management burden for you, the customer. We also offer customization and on-site support. Are you taking the plunge with us? Then you are not just taking on a service partner. On the contrary: we also like to think along – proactively or not – about the optimal implementation of all your communication wishes.

Applications

The main application within Flash SmartCom is the push-to-talk app, which is designed and built to industry standards. The solution can be expanded to include the following three applications:

LoneWorker Protect

The LoneWorker Protect mobile application provides protection for lone workers performing high-risk work. With the emergency button, immediate alarms can be triggered, with the position automatically transmitted to the monitoring center. Adjustable sensors allow you to set up automatic alarms, such as fall detection (“man down”) and inactivity. After an alert, both the alarm center and any colleagues are immediately notified so that quick action can be taken.

Flash SmartAlert

With the Flash SmartAlert app, employees can send notifications directly to the Flash SmartAlert dashboard from any location. And vice versa. Because it efficiently and effectively informs the right people about an incident, it is a suitable FAFS app. The application includes functionalities such as emergency calls with location indication, setting presence, a chat function, displaying procedures, and anywhere, anytime insight into alarms.

Control room application

The Control Room application is dispatcher software for PCs that allows you to remotely monitor and control all walkie-talkie users and groups from a central point. Functionalities such as dynamic groups, GPS location of users on the map and geographical sector classification guarantee effective emergency communication and ensure that you act quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. The application also allows devices to be managed remotely.

Own applications

As a Flash SmartCom customer, you can also use your own applications on the devices. Examples include apps for event information, user instructions or mobile payments. Flash PMN facilitates maximum availability of the applications on the devices, including by (remotely) rolling out operating system updates.

Modular services

Not only Flash SmartCom, but the entire service spectrum of Flash PMN is modular. You decide what you purchase, and scaling up or down is always possible. Within Flash SmartCom you can choose from the following modules:

• The mobile applications LoneWorker Protect and Flash SmartAlert.
• The Control Room application for PCs
• Mobile device management, or a management environment for mobile devices
• Management reports

Flash SmartCom in a nutshell

• Push-to-talk application, SIM card with guaranteed network access, network connection and devices (with accessories)
• Unlimited number of users
• Unlimited number of groups
• Nationwide coverage through Odido’s network
• Local and regional communications also possible
• GPS for location determination
• Fast call set-up of up to 0.5 seconds
• Built according to 3GPP standard
• Ready for connection to both existing (walkie-talkie) networks and new private LTE systems and for migration from 4G to 5G

Rent radios (and accessories)

Part of the flexibility of Flash SmartCom is the ability to rent (smart) devices and other accessories. Flash PMN has a rental fleet of more than 36.500 (ATEX) walkie-talkies, mobile phones, base stations, smartphones and tablets. Renting is a particularly attractive option for events, maintenance stops or (construction) projects, for example. We take care of everything: from pre-charging and checking the devices and providing the correct programming to issuing the devices and 24/7 support in case of malfunctions.

Read more about mobile phone rental

FAFS app: Flash Smart Alert

Flash SmartAlert is a mobile application that ensures that your FAFS organization is quickly alerted to emergencies and can act appropriately. Alarms can be raised manually or automatically, for example through the fire alarm system. The alarm messages arrive as push messages to the emergency response workers. The alarm sounds at a fixed volume (ignoring the phone profile) and stops only after the user has read and dealt with the message. The central dashboard provides overview and facilitates tight direction during emergencies. Finally, geofence ensures automatic registration of FAFS officers.

Knowledge Platform Flash Forward

Even the very best equipment becomes worthless when used incorrectly. Things like not charging the battery properly, not turning on the walkie-talkie or not activating the man-down function can even lead to incidents (fatal or otherwise). This is why we have developed Flash Forward. With this platform, we want to transfer and exchange knowledge via informative content, workshops, user training, an electronic learning environment, internal training courses and our annual partner event, among other things.

About Flash

Flash has over 25 years of experience in mission-critical communication solutions. We like short lines of communication and provide optimal support. We listen carefully to your needs, deliver what we promise and are happy to go the extra mile. Because of this trinity of expertise, experience and customer focus, we have grown from pioneer to market leader and can offer stable, customized solutions that are trusted by companies such as Shell, Waternet, Bayer and various universities and municipalities.