Press Releases
Children's Hospital Staff Now Using Space-Age Walkie Talkies Westchester.com
Friday, 11 November 2005
Valhalla, NY - Beepers, voice mails and cell phones aren't being used as much these days as they used to at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center. The reason is doctors, nurses and key staff members have been given a Vocera Communicator. 
This device is no bigger than a highlighter and can hang around a person's neck. When someone wants to make a call, they just press a button and say that person's name. does the rest. It locates the person, relays the call and allows the two people to speak anywhere in the building. This voice recognition system allows two people to talk without the use of their hands so a nurse or doctor can continue caring for a patient if they get a call. Dr. Michael Gewitz, Executive Director/Physician-in-Chief, Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, said "These devices are incredible. They've allowed us to respond to patients quicker and more effectively. We no longer have to worry about returning a page, which may or may not be important. If someone needs help for an emergency, they can get a colleague right away by just calling them on Vocera."
This new system was installed with the help of Westchester-based IBM. The computer giant, along with IBM wireless supplier VPN Systems (Rochester, NY), helped install the proper software and wiring throughout the new MFCH facility so that the system can work properly. "Westchester Medical Center is in the forefront of harnessing wireless technologies for the benefit of their clients," said Diana Hage, director, wireless services, IBM. "Their innovation will dramatically improve both hospital efficiency and patient care."
This isn't expected to be the only use of this new wireless technology. IBM and WMC are developing ways to use it for tracking equipment throughout the building and helping improve the Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) system.
Wireless Access for Syracuse City School District Students and Staff
August 2005
When IBM Global Services was contracted by the Syracuse City School District to work with Cisco and Bluesocket to create an expansive and secure wireless network, VPN Systems was called in as a strategic partner to perform site surveys, and configure and install 300 Cisco Access Points. The end result will be high-speed Internet access for approximately 23,000 students and 2,000 teachers, administrators and staff.
The Syracuse network is active in 20 schools, with another six expected to be online by May 1. Students are now using Wi-Fi-enabled laptops for hands-on access to the broadband wireless network, including access to digital video programs offered direct-to-the-classroom by a local public TV station. The new network will also serve administrative purposes including grading systems, purchasing, and payroll, with enough bandwidth to support videoconferencing, video streaming and Voice over IP (VoIP).
To make the project work, considerable new construction was needed. Much of the $80 million budget was spent on building modifications, including space for the servers and adequate air conditioning and ventilation.
State and federal grants provided most of the funding, including No Child Left Behind (NCLB) grants, reading and curricular-related grants, and a $3.6 million grant that will be used for teacher training and development to help faculty and staff get the most out of their new equipment.
"We competitively secured money," says Spaulding. "For teacher access, for equipment, for everything. We are terming it here as 'a convergence of events.' A lot of different things have gone on that we've been able to coordinate and facilitate in a way that makes sense." The project leaders see it as expansive in its scope and thorough in its execution. The result will be a major change for students and educators in the Syracuse school district.
"I don't think anyone expected it would get off the ground," admits Spaulding. "A lot of people are surprised. We were a district that didn't really have anything, now all of a sudden you can get to a WAN with a significant amount of bandwidth. And we've implemented a lot of applications with this project: portable distance learning carts, a new e-mail system, active directory, all types of remote maintenance devices, and different VLANS to support the applications. We went from a limited network with limited connectivity to a state-of-the-art sophisticated network."
The entire project is expected to be completed sometime in January of 2007.