VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- October 29, 2007 -- CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), a wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation and leading source of Information Technology (IT) solutions to governments and educators, today announced that it equipped the Red River Regional Dispatch Center (RRRDC) in Fargo, ND with 42 NEC monitors -- including both standard LCD and customized touch-screen models. The new monitors provide dispatchers with constant and immediate access to critical information, helping to ensure that regional first responders have the most accurate, up-to-date information when responding to emergency calls across a more than 2,800 square mile area spanning North Dakota and Minnesota served by the RRRDC.
Rather than simply replace old monitors with new ones, the RRRDC called on CDW-G for advice on the type of display that would best fit the demanding needs of the center and interoperate with existing infrastructure. Considering the RRRDC's history of success with NEC monitors -- using them in a six-screen set-up since opening the dispatch center in 2003 -- and ability to customize NEC's newer models with touch-screen capability, the RRRDC selected the Multisync LCD 1900 sXP model. This 19-inch screen provides dispatchers with an increased viewing area yet requires little additional space thanks to the monitor's streamlined design and thinner border.
"A 24x7 operation, the Red River Regional Dispatch Center cannot afford even one minute of downtime associated with technology evaluation, purchase, delivery or integration," said Renee Lura, desktop and business services manager for the City of Fargo. "CDW-G identified the best-fit solution for our technology refresh and, critically, delivered it within the tight timeframe we required. With CDW-G's expert advice and services, RRRDC's staff of 28 dispatchers was ready to respond to the up-tick in emergency calls we typically receive in the late summer and early fall months."
The RRRDC serves a regional population of nearly 175,000 residents across North Dakota and Minnesota -- a geographic footprint twice the size of the state of Rhode Island. Managing fire, police and emergency response across state lines, the RRRDC provides emergency communication services for six police departments, two sheriff's departments, two city fire departments, 27 rural fire departments, six rural emergency medical services (EMS) providers and the Fargo-Moorhead community-oriented ambulance service.
"Visibility and the rapid relay of critical information lies at the heart of emergency dispatch operations," said Jim Grass, CDW-G senior director of state and local sales. "As a result, display technologies are a critical and empowering technology for the EOC. The RRRDC's new monitors provide dispatchers with simultaneous access to GPS and other mapping capabilities -- equipping dispatchers with a better understanding of available resources, as well as enabling more rapid dispatch and ability to provide on-scene responders with up-to-the-minute situational awareness."
CDW-G partners with leading IT companies to deliver more than 100,000 products featuring top IT brands from more than 1,000 manufacturers, providing state and local government customers with best-in-class products and solutions.
About CDW-G
A wholly owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation, ranked No. 342 on the FORTUNE 500, CDW Government (CDW-G) is a trusted technology advisor to federal, state and local government agencies, as well as to educational institutions at all levels. CDW-G offers best-in-class technology products and services from top-name brands such as APC, Acer, Adobe, Apple, Cisco, EMC, Fujitsu, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Panasonic, Quantum, Samsung, Sony, Symantec, ViewSonic and Xerox.
For more information about CDW-G product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1.800.863.4239, or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com.
