So, you’ve been put in charge of rolling out a two-way radio system and you have no prior experience with this type of project. Not to worry, we’re here to help! 

Rolling out a new two-way radio system will provide your organization with a lot of great benefits, but it can also be overwhelming. As a platinum Motorola radio dealer, we have decades of experience with radio system deployments. We’ve summarized the tips and best practices from our team to help make your launch successful, and help you be the hero for coordinating a complex system with multiple demands and levels of users. 

Pre-deployment Process

Throughout selection and implementation, here are best practices we recommend to make your deployment as smooth as possible. 

• Calibrating budget
  When your organization leaders or your project’s stakeholders ask for a solution that is wildly over (or under) your proposal budget, take a pause to review expectations. It is possible an alternative can be put together at a different price point, but could lead to more risk, poorer performance, unneeded or confusing equipment, and a lesser experience overall. Encourage them to look at the overall cost of ownership along with the satisfaction of users and stakeholders, and how they want the system to perform in the long run. Your system’s users will never complain about the price paid for a radio, but they will complain–and potentially not be enabled to navigate a crisis–if it doesn’t work as expected.
• Start your RFQ from the beginning
  Even though you or someone else at your organization thinks you know the system or equipment you would like to implement, start at the “beginning” with each organization with whom you request a quote or bid. They may come up with different recommendations based on what you are trying to accomplish, or identify gaps (or unnecessary components) in the requested system. An experienced dealer will either confirm or provide valuable insight when going through a discovery process for your quote.
• Get radio and IT staff on the same page
  When deploying IPSC (IP Site Connect) or LCP (Linked Capacity Plus) type systems, it is important for your organization’s IT person to be in touch directly with your dealer’s radio technicians. Sometimes your radio system PIC does not have as in-depth of a technical background and will be in a position to relay information back and forth between the dealer and your IT group, potentially resulting in networking requirements getting lost in translation. Consider inviting IT to the table when planning and implementing the project.
• Demo and testing
  It is common to demo some radios prior to selecting your final model(s).  If you already have an FCC license, it is important to program these demo radios to your organization’s licensed frequencies when testing.  Interference and coverage can be better determined and addressed before rolling out the entire new system.  It is also helpful to have a detailed plan for all the tests you are performing during the demo, so you can compare models and have a more scientific approach.
• Keep it simple
  Don’t provide your end users too many options when it comes to radio devices and accessories. Helping your organization narrow down to one or two models of radios is recommended; for example one lightweight and one rugged, is a good example of a selection to cover different types of users and departments.
• Staging
  Staging your system before deployment can help identify issues and allow for time to resolve them, and ends up saving time–and aggravation–in the long run! Have your equipment staged and tested in the Motorola radio dealer’s shop whenever possible prior to deployment. 

For navigating your two-way radio deployment, we’ve put together this handy checklist for ensuring your entire project goes smoothly from bid to deployment. We’ll also be providing additional posts and resources to help with your deployment process… stay tuned for additional tips and best practices.

Is your dealer providing the best support and training for your new two-way radio system? As a leading Motorola dealer, we pledge to help you get the best deployment possible. If you’re not receiving the assistance you need with your current dealer, contact us to find out more about our maintenance programs. 

View our Motorola Two-way Radio Offerings