Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System Mobile Client Data Sheet

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 the information that improves situational awareness. When time is critical, Cisco IPICS helps deliver information to the right people, at the right time, in the right format. The Cisco IPICS Mobile Client is a new component of the Cisco IPICS solution that helps smart devices join an IPICS-enabled response network.

Features and Benefits

Mobile clients are an important part of incident response because incidents can occur anywhere, anytime. Responders never know where they will be when an incident requiring their support occurs. Until recently, two-way radios were the most available means of communications. However, they are mostly limited to audio and certainly 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 multimedia capabilities is widely available, less expensive, and may receive signals worldwide. Used effectively, the smartphone can emerge as an effective complement to conventional radios. This is true 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 the on-demand solution for physical security and emergency first responders on the go. It helps 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 ultrahigh frequency and very high frequency (UHF/VHF) radios. See Figure 1.

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:

●   Video, 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 U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (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, such as 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 Cisco IPICS Mobile Client moves beyond audio to support rich media and a new generation of mobile endpoints.

●   Open standards-compatible: Built as a smartphone application, the IPICS Mobile Client will transfer to new devices as replacement technology is introduced.

System Capabilities

Table 1 shows the IPICS Mobile Client system capabilities.

Table 1.       Cisco IPICS Mobile Client System Capabilities

Licensing Information

The IPICS Mobile Client works in conjunction with an 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 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 individual user's smartphones as needed and the licensing is only based upon the number of simultaneously active IPICS Mobile Clients.

Ordering Information

The IPICS Mobile Client requires an Apple iPhone 4/4S, 5/5S, iPad, and iPhone service from a certified service provider. Note: both the iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S can view incident media, add photos, and communicate on the Incident PTT channel. The iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S additionally support 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/. “Incident” is the application’s name.

This application also requires an IPICS installation as well as one or more Mobile Client licenses on the IPICS Server; one license for each active IPICS Mobile Client. The IPICS solution and Mobile Client licenses are only available direct from Cisco Advanced Services or through select technology partners. To place an order, use the information in Table 2 when you visit the Cisco Ordering home page or contact your Cisco Account Manager.

Table 2.       Cisco Ordering Information

For More Information

For more information about Cisco IPICS solution and the IPICS Mobile Client, visit http://www.cisco.com/go/ipics
or contact your local account representative.