Important Technology, Mobility and Vehicle Options Every First Responder Must Know for 2019

Robert Gronenthal
7 min read

Integrated Technology Solution Provider, Island Tech Solutions (ITS), IDs Upcoming End of Life (EOL) and End of Sales (EOS) Information Affecting Tools and Equipment for the First Responder Community

As 2018 ends, it brings a series of goodbyes for some technology tools, mobility equipment and vehicle types that have become go-to favorites among first responders. To assist its first responder customers, Island Tech Services (ITS) (www.itsg.us.com), a leading provider of advanced technology, mobility and vehicle solutions, is providing information about upcoming End of Life (EOL) and End of Sales (EOS) for products and services that first responders should know. The company has also launched an EOL & EOS Support Service for customers to get quick answers to their EOL and EOS questions, available at https://itsg.us.com/eol-support-service.

“First responders trust tried and true technologies, equipment and vehicles that provide them the critical support they need when serving their communities,” says Robert Gronenthal, CEO and Partner at ITS. “Our team has assembled some of the information that customers will need when making a decision about what comes next for some of their favorite tools. And our EOL & EOS Support Service can answer specific questions first responders might have about the tools in their work environments.”

TECHNOLOGY CONCERNS: Windows 7 EOL

For first responder desktops and laptops, Microsoft Windows 7 has been the go-to operating system. The Windows 7 operating system (OS) reached mainstream EOL as of Jan. 2015, with EOS in 2018, and extended support will end as of Jan. 2020. Since patches and security updates will no longer be available for Windows 7 after the extended support date, the operating system has increased vulnerabilities, so we recommend upgrading to Windows 10 for greater stability, functionality and security.

“Nobody likes to change, but here are a few thoughts for this upgrade to Windows 10,” says Robert Dougherty, Director of Network Support Services, ITS. “Now is the time to consider whether your devices are Windows 10 capable. You want to check if your current hardware supports Windows 10 or if you will need to purchase new devices.”

“We also recommend reviewing the applications that you are running on your Windows 7 systems to ensure they function as needed on Windows 10,” says Tanya Morrison, CBDO and Partner at ITS.

Windows 10 Pros and Cons

Windows 10 offers many improvements over Windows 7 that first responders will appreciate, including greater performance, a consistent user interface across desktops, laptops and tablets, additional security and easier network and internet connectivity. It also offers the ability to capture voice commands through Cortana which can help with hands-free searches and operations.

“The major cons are the upfront cost to replace hardware and a small learning curve for users,” says Dougherty.

MOBILITY CONCERNS: 3G EOL

While the most popular wireless service among first responders is 4G, which enables faster data and voice communications, 3G wireless service remains in place for older deployed equipment. In addition, 3G is often in use for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) information which is a control system architecture in use by power companies and public utilities that deploy IoT devices.

Many first responders who currently have both 3G and 4G modems in their routers and gateways will lose the ability to fallback to 3G as various carriers move toward 3G EOL. In general, mainstream 3G support will go away for most carriers by the end of 2019 and all carriers will have ended support by the end of 2023.

“Many first responders ask why they are being forced to buy new equipment because 3G works fine today. It’s a fair question. However, older 3G technology offers slower data throughput and lower peak upload and download rates,” says Rick Miller, National Sales Manager, ITS. “Both 4G and 5G technologies offer much higher speeds which enables a greater diversity of services for the first responder community.”

Today, first responders should consider 4G LTE Advanced Pro (Cat 12) modems which includes AT&T FirstNet-capable modems. The 4G LTE Advanced Pro modems increase the downlink and uplink data rates available for the user. The AT&T FirstNet Service provides LTE data rates and network priority and preemption when they’re needed.

The need for higher data rates has become increasingly important due to the growing amount of combined voice, text, images, video, data and equipment (M2M) communications in use by the first responder community.

VEHICLE CONCERNS: Ford Vehicle EOL

In 2011 the most recognizable law-enforcement vehicle in America, the Ford Crown Victoria, was replaced by the faster, sleeker Police Interceptor Sedan based on the Ford Taurus. Now the Police Interceptor Sedan will EOL at the end of 2019 with end of production in March 2019 and most ordering already closed.

“Many law enforcement customers have asked us why the Police Interceptor Sedan is going away and what will replace it instead,” says Wendy Parenti, Vehicle Specialist, ITS. “The overall declining popularity and sales of sedans in the retail market has caused a ‘phase out’ in the police market. In 2019, Ford is delivering SUVs and trucks for the retail market as well as the police market.”

The Ford Hybrid All-Wheel Drive Utility SUV and Ford F-150 truck are both pursuit-rated by the Michigan State Police Department and will be the new “cars” that many law enforcement agencies begin rolling on the streets they serve.

“The Ford Hybrid All-Wheel Drive Utility SUV is the new standard police forces will get if they order an SUV. If a police force wants a traditional non-hybrid version, they must make sure they specifically request one,” cautions Parenti.

New SUV Pros and Cons

While the new SUV offers greater performance and reduced energy consumption, it comes at a price of as much as 30 percent higher that current SUVs. That can cause “sticker shock” for some departments as Ford moves toward greater electrification of its vehicles.

Additionally, police stations, lots and barracks will need to have the capability to charge the new vehicles. In many cases, electric vehicle (EV) charging units will need to be installed.

Departments buying hybrids that then require upfits for lights, cages and push bars, as well as computers, radios, routers and gateways, will want to make sure they work with vehicle upfitters whose technicians are educated in electric vehicle upfit and dealing with batteries – not every installer is ready for the changeover.

“We train our techs on hybrid vehicles to understand what is necessary. Both our in-house and on-site crews are familiar with supporting hybrid technology,” says Parenti.

“With a steep price increase, some departments may wonder why they are looking at a hybrid. They may need to look at the total lifetime cost over the initial purchase,” suggests Parenti. “Improvements in fuel economy reduces waste from vehicle engine idle time as first responder units sit by the scene of an accident or crime with lights and motors running.”

Four Steps to Assess Tech, Mobility & Vehicle Migration

“In all these cases, we recommend a simple, four-step process for assessing the EOL, EOS and migration to newer technology tools, mobility equipment and vehicle types,” says Gronenthal.

  1. Audit. Perform a comprehensive audit of your existing technology tools, modems and vehicles and their capabilities. What do you have in use today in the office, in the field and in your vehicles? When are you due for a planned upgrade?
  2. Evaluate. Understand your needs and operational requirements. Is there a mix of older and newer tools in place? Would your team benefit if you were using the same set of versions?
  3. Future-Resilient. Make sure you are deploying for long-term usage and newer capabilities in your offices and on the road. What are your current and future computing, communication and vehicle requirements?
  4. Partner. Select a partner that can walk you through the process of understanding your needs and build a plan for migration and device obsolescence. Look for a partner that understands the integration of technology, mobility and vehicle solutions and how they affect your working environment.

Want to Learn More?

About Island Tech Services

Island Tech Services (ITS) (www.itsg.us.com), is a leading provider of advanced technology, mobility and vehicle solutions to business professionals, first responders and public-sector employees throughout the country. For more than 20 years, we have helped customers incorporate technology in their work to increase performance, efficiency and security. Our comprehensive and integrated technologies and services span from headquarters, to field techs, to command vehicles. For more information about ITS, please contact us at 888-614-2770 or visit http://www.itsg.us.com/