So far, 2021 has seen APD launch its latest product – known as Stream – which is a brand-new software application that enables a control room operator to send a link via SMS or email to an individual who needs assistance in any location, allowing them to open up the camera and instantly present their visual back to the control room.
Stream has the potential to help the public engage with many different organisations, businesses and sectors to overcome the need for some home visits, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst delivering a world-class service.
Mike Isherwood, Managing Director of APD Communications
APD Stream puts the control room on the scene instantly. In a nutshell, it’s here to help call handlers quickly gather vital information, optimise their emergency response, and ultimately save more lives.
Mike Isherwood, Managing Director of APD Communications, said: “Stream has the potential to help the public engage with many different organisations, businesses and sectors to overcome the need for some home visits, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst delivering a world-class service.
“For users, there’s no need to download an app and for organisations they can engage effectively with the public and make records of incidents and investigations, including footage and conversations in multiple languages which can be revisited at a later date.
One of the show-stopping features of Stream is its built-in language translations for voice and text messages, removing the language barriers so often experienced by control rooms.
This feature allows both the control room and members of the public to use their native language freely and without hesitation – as the software, which has over 40 languages in its library – will automatically translate.
Language translation will without doubt increase productivity and efficiency within the control room, as it removes a once difficult problem to overcome. It also plays a critical role in supporting inclusivity within the community, making it easier for everyone to engage in the services they need support from.
APD Stream is built for control rooms, by control rooms, with the teams at APD having consulted and worked alongside some of the UK’s largest emergency services control rooms when developing and testing the software.
APD Stream is built for control rooms, by control rooms, with the teams at APD having consulted and worked alongside some of the UK’s largest emergency services control rooms when developing and testing the software.
This identified how crucial it was to create a tool that would work without any pre-downloaded content, i.e., so that the member of the public doesn’t need to download any software onto their device to be able to use Stream. While this seems like a small design element, it has the power to remove problems related to phone storage or incompatibility – both of which could be catastrophic in managing an ongoing emergency incident.
Whilst the live streaming is the main functionality of Stream, APD has also built-in further features that further enable speedy and accurate emergency response. One of these features is its location and street view windows, which means that operators now don’t need to switch screens or use Google Maps separately.
Mike explains “Stream enables organisations to use Google Maps within the application, including location and Street View, allowing someone to be dispatched to the person in need, should the need arise.
“We understand the extreme challenges and pressures operators face when deploying resources and Stream can play a vital role in informing them to make the right dispatch decisions faster than ever before.”
And to complete the circle of Stream aiding better decision making and speeding up response times, it can also act as court ready evidence. This is because Stream automatically records visual evidence to create a secure digital footprint and enhance evidence-gathering. Streaming data can also be shared with other agencies, not only in coordinating multi-agency responses, but also in court should it be needed.
APD Communications is working with control rooms to showcase the abilities of Stream and demonstrate how it can help and support their operations. and is currently offering free trials and demos of the software. It’s also going on tour around the world at a host of online events.
Since 1 July 2021 APD Communications, is now NEC Software Solutions, please visit https://www.necsws.com/
