Motorola Solutions updates Nebraska call system

Douglas County, Nebraska, officials were faced with the same public safety communications challenges as many other communities across the country - how to do more with fewer resources while efficiently using taxpayer dollars.

When it came time to replace an old 9-1-1 computer-aided dispatch system that handles approximately 600,000 calls each year, Douglas County chose to have Schaumburg-based Motorola Solutions' PremierOne CAD deployed on a virtual platform, allowing dispatchers simple access to centrally shared resources, saving time and money.

A virtual platform centralizes the dispatch system hardware and software resources, creating virtual workstations within the dispatch center where all existing dispatch positions can use the same resources. This setup resulted in a 67 percent reduction in equipment costs for Douglas County.

Instead of purchasing expensive equipment for each of the 32 dispatch positions, the virtual platform allows technology, such as high-end video cards and data processing applications to be stored on one server and shared between multiple users and dispatch centers.

"As we've migrated through the technology and virtualized Motorola Solutions' software, the cost savings and ability to share resources has been exceptional," said Mark Conrey, communications director of Douglas County. "Instead of installing a $2,000 computer at every CAD operator's workstation, the county can spend $400 on a virtual machine and get better technical capabilities and performance while saving taxpayers' money."

Call takers and dispatchers using PremierOne CAD are able to access the system from any virtual workstation running the software, helping save time in an emergency. Having consistent user configurations requires less set up and management for each workstation, making it easier for support staff to manage each position. The virtual platform also provides a boost to Douglas County's network by giving users access to high-speed Ethernet connections that may have been too expensive for the county to purchase on its own.

"The three dispatch centers using Motorola Solutions' PremierOne CAD in a virtualized environment have seen an immediate improvement in collaboration between agencies," said Tom Guthrie, vice president, Motorola Solutions' Smart Public Safety Solutions. "For the dispatcher it means a quicker response to callers, access to information from virtually anywhere and seamless integration with surrounding county systems."

At the same time, Douglas County officials added additional Smart Public Safety Solutions by integrating Prem