Grand Rapids, Mich., selects Exelis C4i radio dispatch console system for its emergency communications centers
HERNDON, Va.– –Dec. 5, 2013— Exelis C4i, a business unit of Exelis Inc. (NYSE: XLS), has been selected by the City of Grand Rapids, Mich., to provide its radio dispatch console system to the Grand Rapids and Kent County emergency 911 call centers.
The Exelis radio dispatch console system, called SwitchplusIP®, will enable both call centers to support emergency calls even if one of the centers requires an evacuation. The system will use a fiber link between the two centers enabling communications access to each agency’s radio systems. Establishing this critical network provides additional disaster recovery options for both agencies in the event of a necessary evacuation of either facility. Together, the Grand Rapids and Kent County call centers receive and process 911 emergency calls and dispatch police and fire services for a population of more than 600,000.
"Our system is ideal for public safety dispatch because its flexibility provides customers with opportunities for tailoring and growth of the system to meet future capacity and safety requirements," said Brad Kay, general manager for the Exelis C4i business in North America. "From large scale government communications networks to deployable command and control solutions, we are experts in secure communications networks."
SwitchplusIP is used in 911 emergency call centers, other command and control applications, and mobile command centers. The system uses VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol) technology to integrate legacy and modern communications equipment. SwitchplusIP allows an operator to access multiple radio assets, telephone calls, and other inter-site communications from a single headset and user interface. Thus delivering advanced conferencing capabilities when system reliability, rapid response time and comprehensive interoperability are critically needed.
SwitchplusIP is fault tolerant and has network redundancy at every end-point. The backup design allows for continuous operations in severe weather that may eliminate systems or radio sites.
The Exelis C4i business is based in Herndon, Va., and Melbourne, Australia, and provides advanced communications software that supports mission-critical communications for a range of applications including public safety, air traffic management, defense, mining and homeland security. C4i Pty. Ltd. was acquired by Exelis in January 2013. This reflects the Exelis commitment to extend leadership in the strategic growth area of critical networks enterprises.
About Exelis
Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense, information and services company that leverages a 50-year legacy of deep customer knowledge and technical expertise to deliver affordable, mission-critical solutions for global customers. We are a leader in timing and navigation, sensors, air traffic solutions, image processing and distribution, communications and information systems, logistics and technical services; and we are focused on strategic growth in the areas of critical networks, ISR and analytics, electronic warfare and composite aerostructures. Headquartered in McLean, Va., Exelis employs about 19,000 people and generated 2012 sales of $5.5 billion. For more information, visit our website at www.exelisinc.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.