Communication capabilities have changed with the proliferation of next-generation IP-based technologies. Cisco® IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (IPICS) is designed to integrate traditional dispatch systems with these new technologies, making it easier to dispatch responders and provide them with information that improves situational awareness. When time is critical, Cisco IPICS helps deliver information to the right people, at the right time and in the right format. The Cisco IPICS Mobile Client is a new component of Cisco IPICS solution that helps smartphones join an IPICS-enabled incident response network.
Features and Benefits
Mobile clients are an important part of incident response because incidents can occur anywhere and anytime. Responders never know where they will be when an incident requires their support. Until recently, two-way radios were the most available means of communications. However, they are mostly limited to audio and further limited by technology and audio reception. They are also expensive and usually only carried by a small subset of on-duty responders. But the mobile smartphone with IP connectivity and rich media capabilities is widely available, is less expensive, and may receive signals worldwide. Used effectively, the smartphone can be a good complement to conventional radios especially when responders are not carrying a radio or when situations require real-time videos, pictures, and current responder status to better assess an incident. Cisco introduces the IPICS Mobile Client to address this opportunity.
The IPICS Mobile Client is a smartphone application that allows responders to interact with other incident participants. Incidents can be within a single agency or between multiple agencies. With this application, responders can perform a variety of incident-related activities, including:
• Access incident-related push-to-talk (PTT) channels to communicate between responders and radio users
• Obtain up-to-date incident status information from each responder
• Access incident-related video clips, photographs, and status either pushed to them from the dispatcher or added by other responders
• Dynamically add their own video clips, photographs, and status updates
The IPICS Mobile Client used in conjunction with the IPICS Dispatch Console provides an on-demand solution for physical security and emergency first responders on the go. It enables them to begin reviewing incident information and addressing an incident even while en route to the scene. They are no longer tied down to desktop computers, heavy laptops, or UHF/VHF radios. See Figure 1.
Figure 1. Cisco IPICS Mobile Client for Apple iPhone (three views)
Used in conjunction with the IPICS Dispatch Console, the IPICS Mobile Client enables multimedia collaboration between responders including real-time information sharing that includes the following media:
• Live video sent from surveillance cameras, Access Control gateways and mobile clients
• Access to archived videos such as Flip or YouTube
• Photos
• Alarm monitoring
• Journal and live statuses
• Website links to resources such as FEMA and hazardous material databases, standard operating procedures and maps
The IPICS Mobile Client takes situational awareness to a new level. Benefits include:
• Mobility: The IPICS Mobile Client, based on smartphone technology, moves with the user anywhere there is a wireless network, for example, Wi-Fi or 3G cellular network.
• Radio interoperability and beyond: The IPICS Mobile Client allows PTT interoperability with radio channels and talkgroups.
• Rich media: The IPICS Mobile Client moves beyond audio to support rich media and a new generation of mobile endpoints.
• Open standards compatible: Being built as a smartphone application, the IPICS Mobile Client will transfer to new devices as replacement technology is introduced.
System Capabilities
Platforms
Apple iPhone 3G/3GS
Connectivity
WiFi or 3G with active service (dependent upon Smartphone)
Assigned incidents
Up to 10 suggested for optimum performance
Live video
Up to 10 minutes
Photos
Up to 2 MB
Mobility client
1000 mobile clients per IPICS system
Licensing Information
The Cisco IPICS Mobile Client works in conjunction with a Cisco IPICS solution installation and an add-on IPICS Mobile Client license. When an IPICS Mobile Client user first activates the client and logs into the Cisco IPICS Server, a license check is made to confirm there is an available IPICS Mobile Client license; one IPICS Mobile Client license is required for each active IPICS Mobile Client. This means that the Cisco IPICS Mobile Client can be installed on as many users' smartphones as needed, and the licensing is only based upon the number of simultaneously active IPICS Mobile Clients.
Ordering Information
The Cisco IPICS Mobile Client requires an Apple iPhone 3G/3GS and iPhone service from a certified service provider. Note: Both the iPhone 3G/3GS can view incident media, add photos, and communicate on the Incident PTT channel. The iPhone 3GS additionally supports video uploading.
The IPICS Mobile Client is available for download free of charge from the Apple App Store. Visit the Apple iPhone website at http://www.apple.com/iphone/apps-for-iphone/. The application name is "Incident".
This application also requires a Cisco IPICS installation as well as one or more IPICS Mobile Client licenses on the IPICS Server, one license for each active IPICS Mobile Client. The Cisco IPICS solution and Mobile Client licenses are available direct from Cisco Advanced Services and through select technology partners. To place an order, visit the Cisco Ordering Homepage or contact your Cisco account manager.
Table 1. Cisco Ordering Information
Product Name
Part Number
Mobile Client IPICS License
CIS-MC
Mobile Client IPICS License 100 Units
CIS-MC-100
For More Information
For more information about the Cisco IPICS solution and the Cisco IPICS Mobile Client, contact your local account representative or visit: http://www.cisco.com/go/ipics
