News
Vocera launches enhanced communications badge in the UK
4 March 2008
Vocera Communications has launched its latest communications badge,
the B2000, in the UK. The badge is a wearable, hands-free instant voice
communication system.
The system combines Wi-Fi, voice over IP (VoIP), and speech
recognition technologies for rapid communication in a lightweight device
that enables the user to communicate with colleagues over a wireless
LAN.
Enhancements in the B2000 include an improved wireless radio that
supports Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM), an industry standard for voice quality
of service (QoS). This means voice data packets can be prioritized over
an 802.11b or 802.11g wireless network, boosting speech quality and
reducing unclear calls. A high-performance patch antenna extends the
reach of the wireless signal, reducing the chances of dropped calls in
areas with poor wireless coverage. The design of the new badge, based on
a Linux platform, has been improved to provide better durability to
withstand harsh environments.
The outer surface of the badge and a new set of colourful protective
sleeves allowing facilities to identify teams, have been treated with an
antimicrobial agent to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and mould
on the surface.
Brent Lang, President and Chief Operating Officer, Vocera
Communications Inc. said, “Live voice carries connotation. It can calm a
patient, signal urgency in a call for help, or help a colleague
understand the next step in a task or process. Vocera delivers live
human voice conversations in the right place, at the right time, to
solve critical communication challenges.”
Jamie Allen, Telecommunications Supervisor for Genesis Health System,
a US participant in the initial beta programme for the new badge, said,
“By virtue of leveraging 802.11g, we were hopeful these badges would
improve performance and reliability, not only for Vocera users, but for
all devices utilising the Genesis wireless network. Nursing reaction has
been very positive with regard to the performance of the devices."
Since the US launch of the B2000 in November 2007, Vocera has
deployed more than 5,000 badges to customers in North America.
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