Cloud-based communications offers virtual solution

On demand, ‘virtual’ technology could hold the answer to coping with the increased volume of data being generated in today’s digitally-enabled policing environment.

Cloud computing is probably driving one of the biggest changes in the public sector communications arena, according to Mark Swift, product manager at Motorola Solutions.

“There is an opportunity for the move away from on-premise solutions to ‘cloud-based’ to provide additional business benefits to not only the end user and operators, but to each organisation as well,” he explained in his latest ‘Think public safety’ blog.

“For example, current on-premise deployment of equipment brings with it a physical limitation to certain aspects, namely capacity and flexibility. By running applications such as command and control systems and ICCS (integrated communication control system), etc, for daily business operations on virtual machines, these provide the scope for instantaneous increases (and reductions) of capacity upon demand.

“This is important not only for spate conditions and business as usual operations, but especially when facing spontaneous incidents; whether they be of a disaster-type situation, such as fatal rail collisions, industrial incidents such as the Buncefield oil depot fire in Hertfordshire, public order situations like the riots of 2011 across the UK, or criminal acts of terrorism, which require a multi-agency response of a significant nature for some considerable period of time.

“The virtual machine within the hosted environment will easily absorb not only the increased volume of traffic being generated but can instantly provide additional ‘seats’ for additional application users to be connected.”

Not only will the capacity provide the additional numbers requiring access to the systems, but it will also absorb the volume of voice and data traffic without affecting the speed of response.

And while the security of the cloud is often cited as a reason not to move into that environment, Mr Swift says hosted locations are often “more secure than on-premise solutions” – either the physical security of the building or the IT firewalls and access within existing systems.

“Where organisations are either seeking or considering areas of greater collaboration with partners, whether within their own vertical of police, fire or ambulance, or with multi-agency collaborations, ‘cloud’ provides an easier method of utilising shared hosted environments,” explained Mr Swift. “Not only will this provide a reduction in costs through economy of scale, but also provide an easier road map for application collaborations and improved data sharing going forward.”