March 2012           Issue 4

Message from CEO Header

Greetings!  

 

EFJohnson started this year on a high note. Last month, we introduced the next generation of EFJohnson's portable radios - the Viking™ VP600 portable radio - to serve the needs of police, fire, EMS and other mission critical users. This value-packed, high-quality radio is designed for outstanding performance, ruggedness and reliability.

 

In keeping with our promise to listen to our customers and incorporate their suggestions into new product development, the Viking VP600 was designed based on direct feedback from end users. The result is a portable radio that is durable and easy to operate. It is specifically designed to address the unique needs of first responders, with advanced audio and visual features that make communication effortless in even the most hazardous conditions.

 

The Viking VP600 not only addresses the immediate needs of first responders - it also incorporates features to make the radios adaptable for future use. Each radio is compatible with Project 25 (P25) Phase 2. This means that Viking radios are not just interoperable, but they also have the capability to upgrade to P25 Phase 2 capability through a software option upgrade of the VP600 radio. This affords the capability to increase the number of conversations shared on the same radio channel through use of the time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme.

 

The launch of our Viking VP600 is more significant to EFJohnson than simply listing a new radio option in our catalog. It is a nod to our earliest days, when EFJohnson produced and sold the Viking line of amateur radio transmitters, which are still collected and used by vintage radio enthusiasts. Even though newer technologies eliminated the demand for Viking transmitters, the company and the product retained their reputations for value, durability and performance. These qualities are the hallmarks of the new Viking line.

 

The Viking VP600 is also significant because, when combined with our ATLAS™ P25 Systems Solution, it solidifies EFJohnson's position as a one-stop resource for P25. By delivering smarter engineering and system design, EFJohnson is showing its customers a smarter way to P25 and is paving the path for next-generation products.

 

The Viking VP600 was introduced at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas February 22-23, 2012 and was so well received that we have already received our first order. I look forward to introducing each of you to the Viking VP600 so you may learn more about its capabilities.

 

Sincerely,

 

Andy Adams, CEO

EFJohnson Technologies

 

EFJohnson dealers received a preview of the company's new IMPACT Partner Program during the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas February 22 - 23, 2012. The program, which will officially launch in June 2012, is designed to strengthen dealer relationships and optimize profitable growth for the company and its partners.

 

"The IMPACT Partner Program is a structured, results-driven program with highly competitive incentives and new tools that will drive sales and make it easier for dealers to do business with EFJohnson," said Tom LaHoda, vice president of channel and partnership development. "We greatly value our dealer partnerships and want to enhance these relationships by offering a robust program that rewards commitment, hard work and sales performance."

 

For more details about the IMPACT Partner Program, please contact Tom LaHoda at tlahoda@efji.com or 214-995-4561.

 

At the end of 2011, EFJohnson invited customers to participate in a survey as part of our ongoing efforts to deliver superior service and high-quality, cost-effective solutions. We received an outstanding response to this survey and appreciate the time you spent sharing your honest feedback.

 

We were pleased to see that a majority of our customers continue to be very satisfied with the quality of our service. Customers of EFJohnson systems are also highly satisfied with the value and quality of our communications solutions. However, it is clear from your responses that we have room for improvement in other areas, and we want to assure you we are working diligently and quickly to resolve those issues.

 

If you did not get to participate in our survey, or if you have additional feedback you would like to immediately share, please contact us at customerservice@efjohnson.com. All requests will be acknowledged and addressed as soon as possible.

 

 

On March 1, 2012, the Wisconsin Interoperable System for Communication (WISCOM) was awarded its final acceptance by the Wisconsin Statewide System Management Group. Final acceptance was granted based on testing by the State Patrol Bureau of Public Security and Communication, the Office of Justice Assistance and by L.R. Kimball, the architecture, engineering and communications technology firm that developed the initial concept for the statewide communication system.

 

Over the past few years, EFJohnson has been working with the Wisconsin Statewide System Management Group and other entities to build a common statewide system that will allow responders to seamlessly communicate during an emergency. This system, which is shared with statewide law enforcement, fire services, EMS and emergency management agencies, is designed to operate with existing radio systems and will be expanded over time through local upgrades. By leveraging WISCOM, local agencies have an unprecedented opportunity for long-term cost savings by sharing infrastructure costs and avoiding equipment duplication.

 

In order to receive final acceptance, WISCOM went through comprehensive regional and statewide testing. The final acceptance designation opens the way for WISCOM to be fully deployed across the state so it may be available to participating agencies and counties.

 

The Wisconsin State Patrol, Taylor County, Iowa County, Kewaunee County, Sawyer County and the City of Fond du Lac have also contracted with EFJohnson to develop new communications systems that will leverage WISCOM.

 

EFJohnson recently promoted Jim Green, senior vice president of operations, quality and engineering, to chief operating officer. In this new role, Green will be responsible for oversight of engineering, quality, field service, training, program management, product development and manufacturing.

 

Green joined EFJohnson in 2010 with over 25 years of experience in product engineering, sales, marketing, finance and manufacturing. Throughout his distinguished career, Green has also refined his skills related to lean manufacturing, total quality management and Kaizen manufacturing techniques.

Prior to his role with EFJohnson, Green served as vice president of the industrial products division for Flextronics, an international Fortune 500 electronics manufacturing services provider to OEM customers. He has also served in executive leadership positions with Digital Lightwave Corporation, Trillium Industry, Matco Electronics, Memorex Telex Corporation and Atari Corporation. Green earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

 

Should you have any questions or want to share your comments about EFJohnson's products or services, please contact Green at 972-819-2304 or at jgreen@efji.com.

 

 

In This Issue
Message From Our CEO
EFJohnson Introduces IMPACT Partner Program
You Spoke, EFJohnson Listened
WISCOM Receives Final Acceptance
Jim Green Promoted to COO
EFJ Expert Insight - Certifying Land Mobile Radios for Use in Hazardous Locations
Upcoming Events

 

Certifying Land Mobile Radios for Use in Hazardous Locations

 

For many years, public safety and mission critical communication users have required certification of certain portable two-way radios for use in hazardous environments. Hazardous environments include those where the presence of explosive chemicals is likely to occur. These chemicals are often explosive mixtures of various gasses, but can also include various explosive mixtures of fine dust. They can occur in various places, including factories, petro-chemical plants, warehouses, and other such locations. Even those not directly associated with an occupation in such locations may occasionally be exposed to these environments. Examples of this are police, firefighters, or paramedics who may occasionally be called to respond to situations at these locations. It is, therefore, important that radio users who may be exposed to these hazardous environments have radios that are certified to not cause ignition of potentially explosive mixtures.

 

See Full Article... 

 
  
Upcoming Events

You can learn more about EFJohnson products at these upcoming trade shows:

   

 

Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) 

 April 19-21, 2012

Indianapolis, IN

 

National Sheriff's Association (NSA) Annual Conference 

 June 18-19, 2012

Nashville, TN 

  

Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International Conference & Expo

 August 19-22, 2012

 Minneapolis, MN

 

 National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) General Conference & Exhibition

September 10-12, 2012

Reno, NV

 

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference

Sept. 29 - Oct. 3, 2012

 San Diego, CA

  

 

 


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EF Johnson Technologies, Inc.  |  1440 Corporate Drive  |  Irving, TX 75038