South Yorkshire boosts network performance
South Yorkshire Police has improved the performance and reliability of
its network, freeing up resources for frontline policing instead. The
force is using a troubleshooting system called Observer from networks
specialist Network Instruments that it says has saved thousands of
pounds in phone bills, mixed-up radio waves and site-to-site transport
and enabled manpower resources to be focused on the needs of the public
rather than on communications.
South Yorkshire Police has improved the performance and reliability of its network, freeing up resources for frontline policing instead. The force is using a troubleshooting system called Observer from networks specialist Network Instruments that it says has saved thousands of pounds in phone bills, mixed-up radio waves and site-to-site transport and enabled manpower resources to be focused on the needs of the public rather than on communications.
The unified network and application monitoring platform can track 90 sites from one location and has been helping to monitor the impact of new applications prior to deployment, such as the forces voice over Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone rollout.
The system also ensures 24 hours-a-day access for staff to essential applications on the police local area network (LAN) and connection to the national Criminal Justice Extranet (CJX) police network.
Observer continually monitors the network which links 11 major sites and the forces regional HQ in Sheffield for faults and provides feedback and analysis, highlighting areas where performance is impaired or where failures are likely to happen if left untreated.
The deployment of Observer is the latest new technology to be used by South Yorkshire Police. Last month it began to roll out a bespoke BlackBerry application to identify disqualified drivers using false details in an attempt to evade conviction.
All smartphones currently being issued to officers include the application, which has been developed in conjunction with Airpoint, a partner supplier to South Yorkshire Police.
Prior to the application and smartphones deployment, officers had to carry out police checks using their Airwave radios, which would provide only a verbal description of the suspect and not a photograph. By using the new application, officers are now provided with more accurate and instant information.
Its great news that the device is already benefiting frontline officers, explained Sergeant Simon Davies, who project managed the initiative at South Yorkshire Police.
We also plan to add forms to the BlackBerry, which will have a vast impact on the efficiency of policing. For example a stop and search form currently takes an average of five weeks to enter into the database; this will become a matter of minutes on the device.
Should the device be lost or stolen it is automatically locked and password protected.
Once it has been reported missing, South Yorkshire Police can remotely kill the device to prevent abuse or breach of data.