Best Use of Mission-Critical Communications During a Major Event

Best Use of Critical Communications in Transport

Transport organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on effective communications systems in order to help make sure their passengers get safely from A to B in the most efficient way possible. This could include bus, tram, metro, and railway services, as well as port and airport ground operations. In this category, the judges will be looking at a range of criteria, including the size and difficulty of the roll-out, as well as level of innovation in the deployment of pre-existing technology. 

-       Size and difficulty of roll-out
-       Efficient use of resources
-       Level of innovation and inventiveness in the deployment of pre-existing technology
-       System reliability
-       Fulfilment of specific operational requirements.

Best Use of Critical Communications in Utilities

Within the critical communications sector, utilities companies exist in a space where absolutely nothing can be allowed to go wrong. The effective deployment of communications technology is integral to this, whether through the use of two-way radio or broadband by operatives on the ground, or via automated distribution processes facilitated by data. This award celebrates innovation, reliability, and above all the fulfilment of specific operational requirements. 

-         Size and difficulty of roll-out
-         Efficient use of resources
-         Level of innovation and inventiveness in the deployment of pre-existing technology
-         System reliability
-         Fulfilment of specific operational requirements.

Best Use of Critical Communications in Public Safety

Over the last few years, public safety organisations across the globe have found themselves constantly having to do more with less, thanks to a combination of perpetually shrinking budgets and ever-increasingly societal expectation. One of the ways in which this has been accomplished is through the innovative use of communications technology, both on the frontline and within the control room. This award will recognise sector-leading examples of innovation and best practice in the quest to keep those on the frontline safe.

-         Size and difficulty of roll-out
-         Efficient use of resources
-         Level of innovation and inventiveness in the deployment of pre-existing technology
-         System reliability
-         Fulfilment of specific operational requirements.

Best Use of Critical Communications in Oil & Gas

The need to maximise efficiencies while at the same time keeping operatives safe is leading to the oil and gas industries becoming ever-more reliant on digital communications technology. 

This award will be judged according to a range of criteria, including the level of challenge represented by a the roll-out, effective use of resources, as well as system reliability in often extremely challenging environments. 

-         Size and difficulty of roll-out
-         Efficient use of resources
-         Level of innovation and inventiveness in the deployment of pre-existing technology
-         System reliability
-         Fulfilment of specific operational requirements.

Outstanding Example of After-Sales Support

A key relationship in the world of critical communications is that which exists between supplier and customer, not only at the point of initial deployment but long after. This award recognises the achievements of a vendor who has gone above and beyond in support of their client, both in terms of day-to-day operations as well as during specific end-user emergencies. Each submission must be jointly written by both the supplier and their customer.

-         Technical expertise
-         ‘Business as usual’ availability
-         Level of support during customer emergencies.

TCCA Young Engineer of the Year

The level of talent and potential existing within the critical communications sector is nothing short of extraordinary. With that in mind, this award celebrates the achievements of a young engineer (under 30), rewarding in particular drive, ambition, innovation, and standing within the industry.

-         Level of achievement during career thus far, judged on position/reputation within a specific organisation, or organisations
-         Innovative/transformative work, influencing the future of the sector
-         Recipient must be under 30 years old.

Outstanding Contribution to Critical Communications

The aim of this prestigious award is to recognise those who have done the most to benefit the sector as a whole, and therefore increase the safety of users around the world. The winner will have earned the respect and gratitude of their peers across many years of diligent service, driving the direction of the industry as they go. Key qualities in this category are devotion to quality above all things, as well as relentless innovation.

-         Individuals who have dedicated themselves to driving innovation, quality and best practice within the sector
-         Palpably improved the safety of first responders/mission critical communications users.

Peripheral of the Year

Thanks to the rise of such game-changing solutions as body worn video, those on the frontline now have the ability to carry far more than just a smart device or traditional two-way radio when it comes to comms. The peripheral of the year category will reward not just the most innovative but also the most intuitive example of this kind of technology.

-         Level of innovation/’uniqueness’
-         How useful is it? How does it make life easier/safer for users, illustrated through the use of real world examples
-         Level of user involvement regarding design
-         To what degree does it help solve core problems within its operational context? Is it ‘transformative’?
-         Ease of use
-         Ease of roll-out.

TETRA/Narrowband Device of the Year

While it’s clear that broadband is becoming increasingly important to the mission critical sector, narrowband is still the default solution of choice for users working across many industries. With that in mind, this award recognises innovation in regard to what is still an incredibly reliable and resilient technology, as well as the success with which individual solutions solve core operational problems. 

-         Level of innovation/’uniqueness’
-         How useful is it? How does it make life easier/safer for users, illustrated through the use of real world examples
-         Level of user involvement regarding design
-         To what degree does it help solve core problems within its operational context? Is it ‘transformative’?
-         Ease of use
-         Ease of roll-out.

Hybrid Device of the Year

Despite the likes of FirstNet and the ESN being well on the way to full roll-out, the timescale for deployment of national mission critical broadband systems still varies considerably from country to country. This category looks at technology being developed for use across both narrowband and broadband networks, with the judges focussing on a range of criteria, from innovation, to ease of use and roll-out.  

-         Level of innovation/’uniqueness’
-         How useful is it? How does it make life easier/safer for users, illustrated through the use of real world examples
-         Level of user involvement regarding design
-         To what degree does it help solve core problems within its operational context? Is it ‘transformative’?
-         Ease of use
-         Ease of roll-out.

Best Software or Application of the Year

In recent years, the development of innovative software applications has helped to greatly improve the lives of those in the field, while simultaneously helping organisations become safer and more efficient. The winner of this award will have developed technology which is genuinely transformative, while at the same time demonstrating a profound awareness of frontline requirements.

-         Level of innovation/’uniqueness’
-         How useful is it? How does it make life easier/safer for users, illustrated through the use of real world examples
-         Level of user involvement regarding design
-         To what degree does it help solve core problems within its operational context? Is it ‘transformative’?
-         Ease of use
-         Ease of roll-out.

SME of the Year

In an industry which depends on innovation to drive it forward, there are few more important organisations than SMEs when it comes to continually challenging the status quo. This year’s winner will have clearly differentiated itself from others in the market through innovation, while at the same time integrating seamlessly within the broader critical communications sector.

-         Accurate identification of potential market
-         Ability to differentiate from competition
-         Innovative nature of product or products
-         Integration with the broader critical communications sector.

Distributor of the Year

The relationship between user and distributor has always been key within the industry, a fact which is recognised by this award. Judges will make their decision according to a number of criteria, such as - naturally - level of customer service and collaboration, but also technical expertise, aftercare, as well as empathy with the user and their requirements. 

-         Level of customer service and collaboration
-         User understanding and empathy
-         Technical expertise and quality of advice, at both pre- and post-sale
-         Range of products and resources (taking size of company into account)
-         Aftercare/ongoing relationship.

Social Media Campaign of the Year

This new category recognises effective use of social media by savvy organisations looking to increase their marketing reach. The judges will be looking for level of engagement, increase in brand reputation, quality of in-house audio/visual material and so on.

-         Most successful interaction with the industry (and the public), measured in terms of brand reputation and turnover
-         Development of innovative or unusual - but still effective - engagement strategies
-         Production and use of audio/visual material.

Industry Champion of the Year

This award will reward the individual deemed to have done the most to push the critical communications industry forward in the broader business sense.

This could be via any number of functions, such as consistently advocating for important new technologies or ways of doing business, or acting as a trusted liaison with partners from outside of the sector.