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Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) is another step closer to moving into its new premises in Exeter after awarding the building and refurbishment contract to local firm Hindsight Construction. PCE bought the new much larger premises in Bittern Road last year to accommodate its ambitious growth plans. The new building is just a short journey from the two-way radio and in-vehicle communications specialist’s current premises in Osprey Road, also on the Sowton Industrial Estate, and has been redesigned by another Exeter-based company TFQ Architects. Karen Langley, PCE’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We were determined to buy local when it came to the redesign and reconstruction of our new premises. We are excited by the new designs and cannot wait for Hindsight to get started on the building work, so we can move in this autumn.” The new 0.8-acre site, formerly known Almond House, has been renamed Premier House and will include office space, a showroom and workshop accommodation.

Schools and other education settings are increasingly using two-way radio to ensure they are able to communicate between teaching, administrative, maintenance and management staff. As you may already be aware, there are many benefits including increased operational efficiency, enhanced site security and no reliance on network connectivity. This article will take you through the tangible benefits of using two-way radio in schools, and how they can effectively be integrated with other on-site systems, such as fire and intruder alarms to effectively support rapid lockdown and emergency evacuation procedures. Large-scale supervision Two-way radios can aid and assist with the supervision and management of large groups of people, coordinating efforts to keep track of groups across a large area, which leads to one of their more common uses: playground supervision. When watching playgrounds and playing fields, it is quite possible that a single teacher might not be able to see the whole perimeter, or all the children playing, from one position. Having a number of staff spread around, able to communicate with each other quickly over distance, helps keep track of an entire school’s worth of children. Quick and effective fire evacuation Schools can often be large, sprawling sites with many different rooms, departments and buildings; a fire marshal’s nightmare when it comes to emergency evacuation. With multiple fire marshals sweeping a building, two-way radios allow instant communication so each area cleared can be called in. If a child is missing from a particular mustering point, the fire marshal sweeping that area can be informed in order to make them extra vigilant to the potential presence of a child separated from their group. These uses can shave precious seconds off an evacuation, meaning the pupils can be safely accounted for in a fast and efficient manner, or an alarm swiftly raised if they are unaccounted for. Supporting rapid lockdown procedures Although relatively infrequent, pupils and staff need to know how to respond to lockdown procedures. Should a suspicious individual be observed near the school perimeter, staff members can be informed and a description passed quickly and efficiently. In a more serious scenario, if there is an intruder alert, radio equipped staff members can coordinate efforts to keep children safe. Not just a walkie-talkie Want your radio communication system to work harder for you and your school? Integration with your existing on-site fire and intruder alert can enhance all your emergency and incident procedures. Your staff can be provided with accurate incident location data, send messages or emergency alerts at the push of a button and even deliver messages from a building management system to help avoid expensive reactive maintenance costs. Third party system integration with your radios offers increased security, operational efficiency and the confidence to more effectively manage both day-to-day operations, and one-off incidents alike. No phones policy? Two-way radio could be the answer So why use two-way radios and not mobile phones in schools? Other than the fact that radios can send a message out across a whole team with one push of a button instead of making individual private calls like a mobile, more and more schools these days are adopting a ‘no phones’ policy on the grounds that smart phones can take videos and photographs, which has obvious implications when the subjects of those videos and photographs are likely to be children. Two-way radios give effective, team wide communication with no option to record video or images, making them a more professional choice for a school environment. Don’t have two-way radio in your school but keen to explore the benefits? Got a radio communication system but want to understand how it can work even harder for you? PCE has provided two-way radio solutions to schools, colleges and universities – all with a variety of budgets. View our case studies to read how radios improved on-site communication, safety and security, or contact our team for an obligation-free chat. #digitalradio #Education #twowayradio

Radio communication experts Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) has come to the aid of coaching staff at Plymouth Albion. Albion’s Head Coach James Shanahan was keen to use a secure radio solution on match days to prevent others, including opposition teams, listening in to his instructions and conversations with other members of the coaching team. PCE’s Chief Executive Karen Langley, whose son Rob has a dual contract with Plymouth Albion and Exeter Chiefs, said: “We had dealt with situation before with other rugby and football. Analogue radios have their place but not in situations where the users want to keep their conversations private.” When Exeter Chiefs were promoted to the Premiership, PCE provided the club with a digital radio solution. A similar solution has been delivered to Plymouth Albion. Mrs Langley added: “A digital solution not only provides enhanced voice quality but is totally secure from scanners so James can be confident that his messages will reach his coaching staff straightaway without being overheard by third parties.” Sales and Marketing Director Louise Uncles said “We are immensely happy that PCE have come on board this season. The private communication between coaching staff is absolutely paramount and having a secure system in place further enhances the professionalism of Plymouth Albion. We would like to thank PCE for their association this season.” PCE also provides the radios to the referees, medics, catering staff, car park and safety stewards at other rugby clubs including Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park where they use different frequencies to ensure the coaches, referees and match day staff do not interrupt or overhear each others’ conversations. #twowayradio

Premier C The Cyber Essentials scheme has been developed by the UK Government and industry to provide a clear statement of the basic controls all organisations should implement to keep their systems safe against a cyber-attack. It also allows a mechanism for organisations to demonstrate to customers, investors and insurers that they have taken these essential precautions. The certification complements the ISO 27001:2013 standard which puts emphasis on the organisations security protocols for information and security and the prevention of risks in an ever-expanding and mobile IT infrastructure. PCE customers working secure industries such as government or defence now have reassurance that their secure information and data is in safe hands. View our Certificate of Compliance here > #Cybersecurity

Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) has been recognised by a new accreditation scheme that promotes professionalism in the installation of on-site radio communications systems. The new FCS1331 Site Accreditation Scheme from the Federation of Communication Services (FCS) aims “to provide customers with a selection of technically competent, high quality professional providers that install a radio communications system in a proper manner”. PCE, in Osprey Road in Sowton, Exeter, is one of just six providers to be awarded the accreditation in England and is the only accredited provider in the south west. FCS Chief Executive Chris Pateman said: “Customers who engage the services of participants in this scheme are therefore provided with a level of assurance of overall success which has never before been available in the UK. PCE is an excellent ambassador for this new accreditation scheme.” The FCS1331’s code of practice demands providers perform their work safely, check the radio system works properly  and does not affect existing solutions, and that any deployment is tailored to the needs of the site. The guidelines also address the customer’s need for suitable long-term maintenance and the need to adhere to relevant regulation and UK law, including the purchase of correct licences. PCE Director Andy Trout said: “We have installed and maintained numerous on-site radio solutions for a range of customers in the education and health sectors, tourism and transportation industries, and emergency services. We already have the experience and expertise, and are therefore delighted to have been recognised by this new scheme in addition to the FCS accreditation we already hold for the installation of communications equipment into vehicles.” #Accreditation #Industrynews

With the ski season in full flow, families and groups of friends like you will be packing their goggles, gloves and sunscreen to head to the slopes. But how are you going to stay in touch while you are out there? While roaming charges have come down, there is no guarantee that your mobile phone, or those belonging to other members of your party, is going to have any signal. And do you really want to take your shiny smartphone out on a black run with you and risk it being lost or damaged? For many skiers, licence-free two-way radios, or walkie-talkies, are the answer but you need to make sure they are both rugged and all-weather proof to cope with use in the harshest of environments. Pricing of walkie talkies will depend on the range you can use them in – between 4km and 10km are the most common. However, be warned, even the best mobile phone or licence-free radios may sometimes struggle when there are a few mountains in the way! But as a cost-free way of calling other members of your skiing party to agree a location for lunch, let them know you are heading back to your chalet, or if you should need to raise the alarm should one of you party have a small accident, then walkie talkies remain the best option as they provide superb audio quality, a long battery life and a robust casing to survive a drop or fall. We specialise in serving business customers and sell single, licence-free, radio handsets for use in hotels, schools or retail stores, but we have recently added more cost-effective twin-pack walkie talkies that are suitable for leisure use, such as a skiing holiday. See here Andy Trout PCE Director #twowayradio

Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) has been awarded ISO 27001:2013 certification to recognise the company’s best practice competence in managing assets, such as financial information and intellectual property. The ISO 27001:2013 is a family of stringent standards from UKAS that also cover employee details and any information entrusted to PCE by a third party, such as a customer. PCE has been recognised for its information security diligence when supplying, installing and maintaining communications equipment to businesses and public sector organisations, such as the blue lights services. CEO Karen Langley CEO Karen Langley said: “Not only does the ISO 27001:2013 mean that have the recognised ability to identify any potential risks within our information security management system and can put controls in place to manage or reduce them, but we can also gain the trust of potential customers in that they know their information and equipment will be safe with us. “The latter benefits means that we can demonstrate compliance, meet more tender expectations and therefore be able to gain status as a preferred supplier. This will become more critical for our growing business as we strive to deliver more communications solutions both the private and public sector.” #Accreditation #Industrynews

Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) Ltd launched the CBRN Communication Vest at the Ambulex event in Coventry on 10th/11th July 2013. Our representatives Natalia and Paul welcomed the attendees to their stand. PCE supplies, installs and maintains portable and vehicle mounted communications and electronic equipment for the emergency services, associated public sector departments and private sector customers. Our core areas are: Lights and Sirens, Overt and Covert Installations Two-Way Radio Equipment: Airwave and TETRA, land mobile, PMR, Business Radio Solutions both Licensed and Licence-Free Vehicle Electronics equipment: Journey Data Recorders, Bespoke Vehicle Installations, Vehicle and Asset Tracking Equipment Lone Worker Solutions Rite-in Customised CBRN Communications Vest

Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) first female installation engineer apprentice, Libby Daymond, aged 17, was chosen to represent South Devon College as an ambassador for International Women in Engineering Day 2018 (INWED18). INWED18 took place on Saturday 23 June 2018 and is an international awareness day to support, inspire, celebrate and raise the profile of women in engineering. It is an opportunity to draw attention to the careers in engineering for girls and young people and to celebrate the achievements of women engineers. Libby is currently studying an NVQ Level 2-3 Electrical Engineering and Maintenance course at South Devon College. Libby spends one day at week at college and the rest of her working week getting hands-on experience at PCE, supporting a team of engineers with installation projects for the blue and amber light sectors. South Devon College marked INWED18 on Friday 22 June with a number of events and activities to encourage girls into engineering careers. As well as being on hand to answer questions from the students, Libby presented to 60 year 9 and 10 female students about her choice of career, her apprenticeship with PCE, and her aspirations for the future. Libby said she hasn’t looked back since choosing a career in engineering: “I was very proud to have been chosen as South Devon College’s female engineering ambassador and fly the flag for all the females working in this industry. I hope my involvement motivates other girls to join me in this exciting and varied industry. We need more girls! I’ve had nothing but encouragement from my colleagues, teachers and peers on my journey so far!”. Karen Langley, PCEs Chief Executive is thrilled to have a Libby on the engineering team and hopes her role in INWED18 will encourage more female engineers to apply to PCE in the future: “I completely understand the pressures and concerns of females entering this industry and I really want to break the stereotypes. With just 11% of the engineering workforce being female and only 6% applying for apprenticeships, it’s time to address the gender imbalance. We are very proud of Libby and we look forward to seeing more female applicants from South Devon College in the future!”. #Apprenticeships

Premier Communication Electronics (PCE) has won the Federation of Communication Services’ (FCS) Installer of the Year award for the fourth time. The Exeter-based radio and mobile communications specialist won the industry award for its work in installing radio equipment and 360 degree covert lights and sirens into a South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust officer’s car. PCE has previously won the award, which recognises good workmanship, proven knowledge and practical ability in providing quality and safe installations of electrical communications equipment into vehicles, on three other occasions. PCE’s Chief Executive Director Karen Langley said: “We are delighted to have won this award again. We pride ourselves on our high level of workmanship and skill and, in this instance, our innovative approach in finding solutions to particular needs. “Ambulance officers’ cars are often dual purpose so any lights, sirens and radio equipment needs to be easily accessible to aid a swift attendance at the scene of an emergency but also hidden from view during off duty periods. Our solution successfully meets both on and off duty needs.” PCE was also shortlisted for the Apprentice of the Year Award on the first year of entering the category. Tom Virgin was named as the runner-up with BT claiming first and third place. Mrs Langley added: “We are really proud of Tom’s achievement. BT is a huge company with a comprehensive apprenticeship scheme. It is huge honour for a company of our size to have one of our apprentices chosen among the finalists.” #Industrynews