Cutting-edge graphic data software that allows en-route firefighters to wirelessly access images of building layouts using a laptop computer is just one mobile remedy offered by a new Motorola Inc. business.
Motorola’s RadioWare Software Solutions are made possible through alliances between Motorola’s Land Mobile Products Sector and software solution providers.
The firefighting software, called WaveSoft-Fire, is in alpha testing and should be commercially available during this year’s third quarter. The software package eliminates the use of bulky maps and manuals, offering firefighters graphical displays on mobile computers that outline the location of fire hydrants, gas lines, hazardous materials and other information needed to manage emergency situations.
“Software is quite likely the fastest growing segment for mobile data vertical markets,” said Bill Blandford, operations manager for RadioWare. “I don’t think any one company can write all the software that customers would like. Rather than replicate what they’ve done, we partner with them and invest our resources in things only Motorola can do,” Blandford said.
WaveSoft Document Management is a RadioWare product now in commercial use and also being used internally at Motorola. Mounds of paperwork can be scanned into a data base and original drafts as well as color annotations or overlays can be preserved.
WaveSoft can accommodate drawings up to 11 feet by 11 feet, decompressing the image so each section is a computer mouse-click away. “Construction workers can review updated blueprints and utility technicians can evaluate power system schematics, all in a fraction of the time it takes to retrieve and review hardcopy files,” Blandford said.
Other RadioWare solutions include automatic vehicle location, computer-aided dispatch, message switching, mobile terminal messaging, records management, report writing and text emulation software.
“The relationships we’re forging mean a host of new products and services uniting two-way information communications and cutting-edge computer technology,” said Michael Lightfoot, director of the RadioWare Software Alliance Program.
Motorola reports four current partners in the program. OCS Technologies Corp., Pleasanton, Calif., designs law-enforcement and emergency services specific software.
“OCS systems currently support more than 800 police, fire and ambulance agencies,” said Raymond Foucault.”
Westinghouse Electric Corp. is meshing its StreetLINK law enforcement software with Motorola’s two-way radio expertise. StreetLINK allows officers to search databases from their vehicles and instantly transmit reports; dispatchers can pinpoint the patrol vehicle’s location using electronic maps.
“StreetLINK minimizes voice radio traffic, increases officer productivity and informational security,” said Dave Beck, general manager of Westinghouse’s security systems division.
Impact Solutions Corp. of San Diego, Calif., is matching its Xpediter Mobile Computing software with Motorola’s data radio systems to improve information accessibility and reduce time spent on paperwork. Xpediter is known as “The Force Multiplier,” said George Leonard, Impact Solutions sales and marketing manager. “The platform operates on today’s familiar, Windows-based computer environment. Because of this easy operation, departments are cutting traditional paperwork by more than 50 percent. This increases an officer’s street time by 20 to 25 percent with no increase in manpower cost,” Leonard said.
Tusk Inc. of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., brings its Field Solutions Integrated Software into the Motorola software alliance. The package provides utility companies with wireless, remote records management. `When more than one software is needed for a solution, they are hooked together by the “Magic Pipe” interface, a technology developed by Motorola, said Blandford. “Magic Pipe is a general solution, what they now call middleware. We use it to do WaveSoft Fire, where four softwares are tied together,” Blandford said.
RadioWare products ultimately will convey data, image and voice, Motorola
said.