Based in San Francisco,

California, the Orion Labs solution delivers instant and secure voice, location, and data messaging across connected devices and applications. Their Push-to-Talk 2.0 offering includes a web-based dispatch console and mobile applications, location services, message playback and archiving, as well as AI powered technology like real-time voice translation and support for voice bots.

“Vontas is excited about the acquisition of Orion Labs as their products fit right into our integrated, modular ITS solution Vontas OnTransit,” says Peter Aczel, General Manager at Vontas. “Orion’s products help to improve our best-in-class IP based communication solution in our OnTransit product portfolio, enabling us to deliver exciting new solution modules like translation and digitalized vehicle inspection capabilities that transit agencies are looking for.”

With this acquisition, Vontas adds a module that helps transit agencies easily make individual, group, and fleetwide calls ensuring a critical layer to a fail-safe environment. Voice and data redundancy improves communication abilities and keeps lines open for mission-critical systems during unpredictable situations. In the future, Vontas plans to seamlessly integrate Orion products into the Vontas OnRoute module for computer-aided dispatch and automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL).

Aczel said, “Our first goal with this acquisition is integrating Orion’s customers and staff into our operations. We’re excited to embrace them as part of Vontas and anticipate building a strong partnership together.”

“A warm welcome to Modaxo to Orion its team and customers,” said Simon Ferguson, Senior Vice President with Modaxo. “Orion’s expertise in voice communication, powered by AI, is a strong complement to the solution offerings provided by Vontas & our other Modaxo businesses. There is great opportunity utilize Orion to digitize voice and other critical workflows within the people transportation industry.”

About Vontas
Vontas helps agencies make public transit the desired mode of transportation in their communities. Through real-time technology, we help create smart, safe, reliable, accessible, and more connected public transit experiences. Learn more at vontas.com.

About Modaxo
Modaxo is a global technology organization passionate about moving the world’s people. Working both together and independently, our collective of businesses are committed to delivering software and technology solutions that help connect people with the places they need to go for work, family, and everyday life. Learn more at Modaxo.com.

Media Contact:
Kim Emmerson, Chief Marketing Officer

PTT 2.0: The Next Evolution of Communication and Collaboration

Raúl Castañon is a Senior Analyst at 451 Research, a division of S&P Global Market Intelligence. He focuses on enterprise communications and collaboration.

[Video transcript below]

What is PTT 2.0?

RAÚL CASTAÑON: PTT 2.0 is one of the categories in our market map for cloud communications and collaboration technologies. It is a technology that has the benefits of the traditional push-to-talk that was provided by wireless cellular providers — but with all the advanced benefits that cloud computing provides such as end-to-end encryption, cloud-managed connectivity over LTE and Wi-Fi. In other words, it’s a modernized, up-to-date version of push-to-talk.

See How Orion Radically Transforms Push-to-Talk

PTT 2.0 Transforms Frontline Work

RC: Voice automation is now very common for consumers. Think about voice-enabled devices, such as smart speakers, which we now commonly use to set our thermostat or handle our intelligent TV. Now in the enterprise, it is the use cases that are driving adoption of voice automation. If you think about the type of work that frontline workers do, there are many opportunities for voice automation, for example, healthcare, like doctors and nurses, first responders like paramedics, medical technicians, firefighters, also factory line workers, and drivers and food and grocery delivery workers.

All of these have become essential workers during the pandemic. And given the nature of their work, which requires hands-free heads-up, meaning they have to be completely focused on their task, voice automation in the form of standard operating procedures makes a lot of sense. For example, for preventive maintenance, security checklists, and other procedures.

Real-Time Access to Knowledge From Anywhere

RC: Access to knowledge bases has become very common for knowledge workers, but still a very big opportunity for frontline workers, for different reasons. You have to think of frontline workers, which for the most part directly engage with customers, as the last mile for the delivery of goods and services.

Therefore, agile delivery customer satisfaction depends on how they engage with customers. Then having the information at their fingertips in real time, without having to leave the customer alone, to check for inventory, order status updates, or to talk to a subject matter expert, can be very helpful.

Real-Time Communication Remains Critical for the Frontline Workforce

RC: Real-time communications and collaboration proved their criticality during the COVID-19 pandemic, thinking about the delivery of goods and services during the lockdown period, even more for the frontline workers who engage directly with customers. For many organizations, digital communications and frontline workers were the critical elements for business continuity during the lockdown period.

Now, even as the lockdown measures are phased out, we have already seen irreversible changes in consumer behavior. According to our Voice of the Connected User Landscape, one out of two respondents are digital converts. This means consumers have tried new digital experiences for the first time during the COVID-19 quarantine and will continue their usage post-pandemic. This means that real-time communications for the frontline workforce will continue to be critical for operations in the post-pandemic era.

[End transcript]

Learn About Orion’s PTT 2.0

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The Orion team had a high profile presence in this year’s Samsung Developer Conference (SDC 2019) at the San Jose Convention Center on October 29. Over 5,000 enterprise developers and technology executives came to Savon Jose seeking to learn more about the latest in mobile technology and productivity solutions for teams.

Orion CTO and Co-founder Greg Albrecht presented on two panels at SDC 2019: “Partner Showcase: Creating Business Apps Optimized for Samsung Devices” and “Samsung’s Mobility Platform: The B2B App Development LaunchPad”.

Albrecht discussed insights from Orion and the discoveries made supplying high tech solutions for mobile and deskless workers. Presenting alongside Orion were technology leaders like LibreStream and Orion partner RapidDeploy. Samsung showcased Orion’s newest enterprise solutions in the SDC exhibit hall for attendees to learn more.

Several trends crystallized  at SDC 2019 in the mobile computing and enterprise voice space:

Orion leads: team collaboration solutions are key to enterprise growth

Orion’s purpose is to enable team collaboration. The importance of this was confirmed in session after session, as executive presenters highlighted team collaboration software solutions as a  driver of enterprise growth. Two factors trigger the enterprise need for collaboration solutions:

1. Many enterprise devices are reaching end-of-life and businesses are looking at technology upgrades, new software solutions, and device refresh options.
2. Enterprise companies are moving away from equipping their teams with radios in favor of smart devices that support platform solutions and automation for greater productivity. The new enterprise device model is the multi-function smartphone, not the walkie talkie or other single-purpose devices.

Voice Bots and process automation are central to enhancing enterprise efficiency, safety, and compliance. Enterprises increasingly depend on automated management and team collaboration solutions. The industry trend fits squarely with enterprise team collaboration solutions that Orion provides to enterprise customers today.

Samsung chooses Orion as the killer app for new devices

Samsung announced the release of two new devices, featuring Orion as a key partner for enterprises looking to use those devices: the Samsung Galaxy FieldCover Pro and the Samsung Tab Active Pro. The Galaxy XCover FieldPro and the Tab Active Pro are both designed for durability, reliability, and security. Orion is the killer app to make these powerful devices into high-grade tools for mobile teams. Because of their rugged design, both devices are ideal for transportation workers, field service technicians, workers in heavy industries, and anyone who works in a harsh environment. To make collaboration even easier, the XCover Field Pro is equipped with a physical push-to-talk (PTT) button that workers on Orion can use to communicate in real-time, without looking away from their work.

Samsung proudly showed their partnership with Orion by demonstrating our communications and workflow capabilities on the Tab Active Pro at the Samsung Mobility Solutions booth.

Want to learn more?

If you’d like to learn more about how Orion enables teams to be more efficient and collaborative, contact our Solutions Team by emailing hello@orionlabs.io.

Related articles

• Field teams turn to software over devices: IACP 2019 show recap
• Greg Albrecht, Co-Founder and CTO of Orion Labs, Inc., Speaks on Enterprise Business Integrations at Samsung Developer Conference 2019
• [Samsung] Orion Labs Is Taking Push to Talk Into the Smartphone Era

As a hospitality organization with an enormous property, Belle Haven Country Club is continuously looking for better ways to get everything done. Delivering an exceptional guest experience requires maintaining seamless employee communication to deliver high-quality service every day.

When Radios Failed, They Turned to Texting

Management initially set up a two-way radio system and issued walkie-talkie handsets to staff. However, radio handsets proved too fragile for long-term use, and investing in better quality radios would have been cost-prohibitive. Additionally, the system exhibited problems typical to traditional radio systems, such as missed messages due to limited range.

Out of necessity, managers and staff turned to the other communication tool they had available: their personal smartphones. However, common apps like texting and calling didn’t work for Belle Haven staff either. A groundskeeper making repairs might make multiple phone calls to locate specialty tools and fail to hear back quickly. Group texting was time-consuming for managers and teams. Sometimes managers needed to reach a staff member and discovered too late that they didn’t have that individual’s phone number.

Belle Haven recognized that old methods were failing the team and chose the Orion voice platform to solve their operational difficulties.

Transforming Hospitality Communications with Push-to-Talk, Language Translation, and All Call Workflow

Belle Haven Country Club replaced the radio and cell phone processes with the Orion Pro service. Employees connect through Orion’s unified platform using a mix of devices: Orion Onyx smart walkie-talkies, Orion DaaS devices, or personal smartphones running the Orion Push to Talk app.

Because Orion works over local LTE networks and the club’s Wi-Fi, staff stay in touch anywhere on the entire 150-acre property, an area much greater than was possible previously with radios. Orion eliminates time-consuming calling and texting — now, everyone is available via group push-to-talk as well as direct, one-to-one communication.

Belle Haven’s Orion talk groups are active throughout the day. Every morning, managers and staff log on to their Orion device when they arrive at the club. Employees instantly join their Orion group and monitor for messages or report that they’re ready for work.

To further enable collaboration, the club activated two Orion AI Workflows to streamline communications further. First, management uses Orion’s All Call workflow to reach every worker with a single voice message. All Call workflow makes it easy to distribute safety advisories and essential announcements.

Second, the club activated Orion’s real-time Language Translation workflow to ease communication with staff who speak Spanish fluently but are varyingly proficient in English. Management uses Language Translation during morning meetings, helping team members feel confident that each of them knows exactly what managers expect that day.

With Orion push-to-talk services and AI Workflows, Belle Haven is providing better guest service than ever.

Read the whole story

To learn more about how Belle Haven Country Club improved its daily operations with Orion, read the complete case study.

Related articles

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• Case Study: Summit Hospitality Group
• A Day in the Life of a Hotel Using the Orion Voice Platform
• Voice-Enabled Workflows (and Why Your Team Needs Them) Part One: Workflows for Team Effectiveness – See #4 to learn more about All Call Workflow
• Orion Solutions for Hospitality

Compliance and standard procedures often matter most where they’re most difficult, with a mobile workforce operating in busy environments. Effective procedures keep your staff focused on strategic goals, help operations run smoothly, and save your organization from fines and lawsuits.

Orion is a leader in voice-activated compliance automation.  Orion’s procedure workflows simplify the compliance and regulatory process for your mobile and frontline workers at each facility and globally. Procedures that required human intervention are now automated, and the accompanying documentation is produced and distributed to every stakeholder who needs it.

These three workflows enable executives, compliance officers, and HSE officers to ensure that procedures are being followed and documented.

This article is the third in a three-part series about Voice Workflows. Did you miss Part Two: “Workflows for Safety”? Read it now.

1. Make it safer and easier for workers to complete checklists

Making sure safety procedures are followed consistently and knowing they are being followed is a challenge. Moreover, making sure your workforce knows the procedures and that they are always followed is vital to maintaining a safe work environment.

Orion’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) workflow enables you to automate safety procedures. Instead of carrying paper worksheets or opening electronic forms on tablets, your worker simply uses their voice to answer a series of prompts (“Do you have eye protection?” “Yes”). If the worker gives a negative reply (“Do you have a respirator?” “No”), they will be instructed to not proceed with the job until they get one and complete the SOP workflow. Checklists are transcribed and emailed. Managers will instantly be notified whether all documentation has been turned in and if not, they will have it filled out immediately.

Simultaneously, the completed form is filed to your electronic SOP archive, updating your records in near real-time. With the Orion SOP workflow, the act of filling out the form becomes the act of distributing it, which becomes the act of archiving it — without taking valuable time away from your compliance teams.

Your workers will love Orion SOP Workflow because they will be able to complete Standard Operating Procedures more easily. You’ll love Orion SOP Workflow because it will mitigate risk while saving your workers and managers time because important processes are always followed.

2. Speed up and improve compliance documentation processes for HSE officers

Compliance documentation becomes critical at the most challenging times, and poor quality documentation puts your business at risk.

So it’s important to record your efforts in a timely manner. Yet, documenting day to day compliance efforts frequently becomes time-consuming and burdensome. Filling out forms can feel like a distraction, especially for high-performance industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and transportation, where workers are racing to meet deadlines.

Compliance Documentation Workflows expedite the task of documenting work. Instead of having to stop to deal with a screen or find the right paper form, a worker activates the workflow by saying the name (for example, “shift report”), then answers the questions asked by the workflow. The answers are transcribed and then sent to your enterprise data store, and copies are emailed to all relevant parties.

Your HSE Officers will love Compliance Documentation Workflows because your teams will painlessly generate the correct documentation your organization needs to satisfy legal requirements, while saving time for your staff to focus on more strategic concerns of your business.

3. Instantly convert voice to text for searching and archiving

Speed and accuracy are often at odds in fast-paced environments where performance is measured in seconds. Workers continually balance the organization’s short term need to produce daily work with the long-term benefit of logging information. Do you need to have a transcription of all your staff communications? What if your documentation was produced automatically? And saved to a secure cloud-based document that managers can review any time?

Orion’s Voice-to-Text Workflow enables documentation to become part of the routine instead of disrupting the routine. It uses advanced speech recognition and speech to text technologies to turn your workers’ spoken phrases into a readable and searchable archive.

Information is logged to a secure document and made instantly accessible to dispatch and compliance teams.

It’ll be easier than ever to review and recover group communication. No need to pay for transcription or to sort through recording archives. Just search or review your archived documents and see exactly what was said, and when. Say goodbye to the vaulted rooms with binders full of reports- and say hello to a searchable, up to date instantly accessible database.

You’ll love Voice-to-Text Workflows because you’ll finally have up-to-date records of your team’s activities and best practices, making it easier for you to report performance to management and resolve issues across your organization.

Learn more about Orion AI Workflows, Automation, and Voice Alerts

Voice-driven workflows ensure regulatory and process compliance by making documentation easier, faster, and searchable.

Curious about how Orion AI Workflows can fit into your business? Learn how Orion can help you transform your enterprise with guidance from our Solutions Team by emailing hello@orionlabs.io. You can also visit Orion’s Workflows page for more information.

Related articles:

• Voice-Enabled Workflows (and Why Your Team Needs Them) Part One: Workflows for Team Effectiveness
• Voice-Enabled Workflows Part Two: Protect Workers with Automated Safety Procedures
• How a Global Energy Corporation Streamlined Communication and Automated Workflows with Orion

Safety is a top priority for every company. Accidents and injuries not only hurt team members but also slow down an organization by increasing absenteeism and turnover, and reducing productivity.

Seek to create a safety culture within your organization with powerful new tools available today. Voice-enabled workflows allow for deep implementation of safety practices and automate procedures that previously required human intervention.

With voice-triggered alerts, automatic check-ins, and geofenced instructions, you can take care of workers who perform jobs where they face hazards or are at increased risk of harassment and abuse.

Read on to learn about three of the most effective workflows for protecting your employees and why you’ll love using them.

This article is the second in a three-part series about Voice Workflows. Did you miss Part One: “Workflows for Team Effectiveness”? Read it now.

1. Use voice alerts to improve response times during emergencies

No matter how well leaders prepare, emergencies happen. Responding quickly is critical to minimizing workplace injury or property damage. Rapid response starts with a powerful alerting system that gets actionable information out to your entire team.

Alerts Workflow warns security teams when workers speak an emergency phrase (“help help help” for example). They can trigger this alert from anywhere, on any device. On-duty security staff receive alerts on the channels they already monitor: Orion groups, two-way radio channels, and even individual smartphones or pagers. For management or Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) executives, Alerts Workflow also logs incident reports and sends email notifications. The notification includes what the emergency is, where it occurred, and who activated it.

The video below shows how Alerts Workflow works when combined with indoor positioning services for pinpoint location response.

Everyone in an organization who needs to know — from upper management to frontline staff — is alerted in a way that helps them respond most effectively. This creates unprecedented visibility so that each emergency receives an appropriate and actionable response. Workflows enable a completely new paradigm of crisis management, one that is holistic and timely.

You’ll love Alerts Workflow because you’ll know your entire team can always call for help, no matter where they are.

2. Protect solo staff by automating voice check-ins

So Alerts Workflow can hasten assistance to teams when they call for help. But what happens when your team member becomes incapacitated and can’t call for help?

Teams are more distributed than ever: staff may move between sites and work by themselves in a wide variety of situations. For some organizations, management may also be remote, with only minimal time and attention monitoring mission-critical routine work. Solo workers may be working with significant security risks, and it’s important to know you’ll be automatically alerted of a work site emergency in those critical moments where your staff can’t alert you themselves.

To address gaps in protections for solo staff, Lone Worker Reminders provide automated management and safety checks at any distance. Operating like a “dead man’s switch”, Lone Worker Reminders check-in with solo staff periodically. For example, Orion might ask the worker every ten minutes, “Are you ok?” to which the worker must reply “yes” to avoid triggering an alert to management. If the worker fails to reply after a certain amount of time or a number of attempts, Orion will contact backup team members through multiple communication channels such as spoken alerts, phone calls, and text messages.

Lone Worker Reminders also serve to remind workers of required recurring tasks such as cleaning or security rounds. Managers request confirmation of completed tasks and be alerted if no confirmation comes through.

You’ll love Lone Worker Reminders because they reduce response times, maintain vigilance, and automate routine management. You’ll know if anyone is in trouble, and you’ll have enough time to intervene effectively.

3. Issue instant instructions when workers arrive onsite

Some work sites may include dangerous working environments: power stations, manufacturing floors, underground mines, or construction sites. To prevent accidents, management creates procedures that must be followed when workers enter hazardous locations. Voice workflows can increase compliance with these procedures by providing contextual feedback as workers move between worksites.

Geofencing Voice Alerts provide real-time location-triggered guidance, notifying any staff member crossing into a specific area of any associated rules for the area. Managers concerned with HSE procedures can simply specify a geographic area and add a message or checklist that auto-plays when a worker enters that area. No one will forget the risks of a specific work zone or miss the required steps to follow to avoid mishaps.

Beyond safety, Geofencing Voice Alerts can also sync with IoT sensors and smart appliances to respond to the presence of workers. Make sure that people are in the right place at the right time and receive an alert if a worker’s post has gone unfilled.

You’ll love Geofencing Voice Alerts because you’ll know your staff will have the information they need every time they enter a space. Your workers will be reminded automatically of important information without intervention from your managers and supervisors. You’ll also love that you can deeply integrate your people and your machines for truly seamless interactions.

Learn more about Orion AI Workflows, Automations, and Voice Alerts

These three workflows scale up and strengthen procedures without requiring additional staff time. Voice workflows help create a safety culture within an organization by seamlessly integrating into their day-to-day work.

Want to know how the Orion Voice Platform can help you automate your standard operating procedures, protect your workers, and make your operations even more efficient? Explore ideas with our Solutions Team by emailing hello@orionlabs.io. If you currently have an Orion subscription and would like to add workflows, contact your Customer Success Manager or send us a note here.

Next, read Part Three: Workflows That Enhance Compliance.

Having the right tool can make all the difference between a challenging experience and an easy one. Imagine trying to build a table using an orange for a hammer. Or peeling an orange with a pencil. Tools have a purpose, and you need to choose wisely.

Selecting the correct communication tool for your team members is no different. It’s important to consider their roles and the circumstances under which they work. Are they in a quiet environment or a loud one? Is the device likely to encounter heavy use? Are they walking around your facility or driving a vehicle? Will your worker be client-facing? Do they have access to Wi-Fi or LTE? Will they be wearing gloves?

Most organizations will have users in a variety of roles. One of the advantages of Orion over traditional communication tools is its ability to bring your entire organization onto a single platform. Orion is device agnostic and can be accessed through smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, web browsers, and even traditional radios.

In this article, you’ll learn about all the device options your team has when they connect to Orion, so you can choose the most useful device for each team member. You can use any or all of them, in whatever combination best suits your team.

Mobile devices worn by workers and frontline employees to keep them heads-up

Orion Push to Talk app

The most popular option for accessing the Orion platform is the Orion Push to Talk app, available for both iOS and Android devices. Its easy-to-use native application experience allows for both direct messaging and group communication with a virtual push-to-talk button. It’s also compatible with tablets. Orion Push to Talk is perfect for team members that already use a smart device in their daily work and can safely engage with a device.

Orion Device as a Service

Orion Device as a Service (or Orion DaaS) isn’t just a device. It’s an all-inclusive program from Orion that provides everything needed to start using voice services, without shopping for devices or data plans. DaaS enables your team to use Orion right away.

Orion DaaS is perfect for roles that need a simple walkie-talkie-like experience with a tough device. It’s great for maintenance engineers, construction teams, and crews operating in rough environments. Even some of Orion’s biggest hospitality customers use DaaS; learn how Marriott Buckhead Atlanta uses DaaS to deliver premium guest service.

Orion Onyx

Orion Onyx is a wearable voice badge that connects with compatible smart devices. Onyx is perfect for mobile and frontline workers because it enables them to remain eyes-up and hands-free in a busy workplace.

While wearing Onyx, staff can remain in communication without having to pull out devices or take their attention away from the job at hand. And for teams who aren’t allowed to use texting and other messaging apps, Onyx is a perfect solution. Learn how transportation organizations and large medical centers make the most of Onyx.

Integrations with your existing tools for continuity of service

Orion Radio Bridge: Ease your transition from the traditional

Lots of businesses feel stuck with the use of traditional two-way radios. Enter the Orion Radio Bridge. As your radios break, don’t replace them with another radio. Start to transition to powerful, cloud-based communications from Orion, while allowing both worlds to stay in touch. Users on a radio channel can seamlessly communicate with an Orion talk group while both systems are operational. Then, when the time is right, make the full transition to Orion.

Orion Radio Bridge gives your radio users unlimited range by allowing channels on your radio system to interoperate with Orion talk groups. If you wanted to, you can press-and-talk on your radio and you would be heard halfway around the world in your Orion talk group. Reach radio-equipped staff from anywhere, expand radio reach without needing to add hardware. Learn how a global energy and mining firm extended their reach and range in this case study.

Which Orion devices are right for your teams?

Want to know more about Orion-enabled devices and solutions that can help your organization? Curious what would work for you but don’t know how to choose devices? Contact our Solutions Team at hello@orionlabs.io to understand your options.

Related articles:

• Read the Voice in the Workplace Report to understand common problems that leaders face when they choose communications tools for their teams.
• What Is Orion Device as a Service (Daas)? – Go in depth with the details.
• A Day in the Life of a Hotel Using the Orion Voice Platform – Discover examples of how drivers, cleaners, and groundskeepers use different Orion devices.

Organizing your groups effectively will help you get the most out of your Orion subscription. Groups determine who team members can and can’t talk to. So how you choose to set up your groups will dramatically influence your team’s productivity.

In this article, we’ll share some tips for setting up your groups based on how our most successful customers use the Orion Voice Platform. We’ll go over how many groups an organization should have, how to talk to multiple groups at once, and how to utilize advanced settings.

If you don’t have an Orion subscription yet, learn more about the Orion Voice Platform.

What is an Orion group?

A group enables a set of users to communicate with each other. The administrator of the Orion organization creates the groups and adds users in the Orion Command Center.

Most users in your Orion organization can:

1. Communicate only with people who are in their group.
2. Actively talk in only one group at a time.
3. Be a member of multiple groups.

Now, let’s address some of the most common questions about groups.

How does communication work within an Orion group?

Users have two options for speaking to their group. First, they can transmit to the entire group by using the Push-to-Talk button within the app or on their device. This means that everyone will hear what they have to say. Second, a user can also communicate with just one person using direct messaging.

Can managers communicate with multiple groups at once?

Yes! The Orion All Call Workflow allows a user to broadcast to several groups at once. You can also set up multiple workflows to create connections between various groups. Your Customer Success Manager can help you choose workflows for your groups.

Learn how Belle Haven Country Club uses All Call Workflow to reach all team members at once.

What if a manager needs to say something that they don’t want everyone to hear?

For one-on-one communication, use direct messaging. This way a manager can be available to the team in general while keeping a particular discussion private.

Who should be in a group, and how many groups should we use?

Generally, every user should be placed in only one group. This way, there’s no confusion about what group someone should be in at any given time, and there’s no possibility of someone entering the wrong group and becoming unavailable to their teammates.

We recommend creating as few groups as possible. Consider who needs to talk to whom, then set your groups up to reflect the needs of your users. When in doubt, use fewer groups. Your team members value starting their workday quickly, so make it easy for them by keeping groups simple.

The number of groups your team should use generally depends on two things: the number of users you have and the variety of work they do. A large number of users all doing the same task are best placed in one group. A small number of users, even if they are doing different tasks, should also be placed in one group, to facilitate collaboration. For teams with a diversity of roles and a larger number of users, you may need to have more than one group.

Need help? Contact our Customer Success team at support@orionlabs.io.

What is the difference between a Basic member of a group, a Leader of a group, and an Admin?

Every Orion user in a group is either a Basic member or a Leader. By default, a Basic member can transmit and receive in the group. A Leader can add or delete group members and change settings for a group. Admins can change settings for a group regardless of whether they’re in the group or not.

My workers need to communicate with a dispatcher/leader but not each other. How would that work?

Orion Talk Permissions give managers another way to manage who their team members speak to. For example, imagine an organization that has agents working in the field and dispatchers working at a central location. For this team, an Admin can set up a group that enables field agents to talk only to dispatchers. In turn, dispatchers use direct messaging to reach the particular agent they need at any given moment. This is an advanced setup typically used by very large organizations. Learn more about Talk Permissions.

I’m ready to create Orion groups! How do I get started?

If you have an Orion subscription and want help with your groups, feel free to contact our Support team at any time by emailing support@orionlabs.io or send us a note here.

If you don’t have an Orion subscription yet, talk to our Solutions Team to learn how to get your team started with the Orion Voice Platform. Just email us at hello@orionlabs.io.

Related articles:

• How to Get Your Team to Adopt a New Communication Tool
• Streamline Your Daily Conversations Using Direct Messaging
• New in Orion Pro: Direct Messaging, Mapping in Orion Command Center, and More

Acquiring a new communications solution usually requires a complicated purchasing effort: a basket of hardware, software, and subscription options need to be negotiated and secured with multiple vendors before a system can even be tested.

Don’t have time for all that? Would you prefer a fully managed solution that includes everything (hardware, software, and service) you need to keep your teams heads up and always connected?

Orion’s Device as a Service (DaaS) program offers voice-enabled devices that are ready to use immediately. Perfect for teams without their own phones or an existing hardware infrastructure, DaaS simplifies the experience of using Orion and gives your team a familiar tool that makes staying in sync easy.

What is the Orion Device as a Service (DaaS) program?

The Orion Device as a Service program provides a ruggedized Kyocera DuraForce PRO phone provisioned with Orion Push to Talk. We also take care of the network connectivity, device management, and support, so you can utilize the Orion Voice Platform right out of the box.

Why should we use DaaS with our teams?

Orion managed devices like DaaS make it easy for your team to connect anywhere. DaaS phones are rugged and feature a built-in push to talk button. This means that the phone can operate in some of the toughest environments, and it provides a familiar walkie-talkie or Nextel-like experience to your users. (Orion is not affiliated with Nextel or Sprint.)

With our white-glove service approach, we take a complete end-to-end approach in providing devices to your team. The devices come pre-installed with only the Orion app and access to a limited number of settings, meaning you don’t need to worry about your staff using the phones for non-work related uses. No phone calls, no text messaging, no browsing the web or downloading of consumer apps. Our offering is a true, business-grade voice service.

DaaS is perfect for:

• Organizations that don’t want to use staff time for provisioning and maintaining devices
• Teams who need rugged, durable devices that are easy to use
• Operations or IT Managers who prefer a high level of support

Can we use Orion AI Voice Workflows with DaaS?

Yes! Orion’s DaaS program is compatible with every Voice Workflow and feature of the Orion Voice Platform.

Why did Orion select the Kyocera DuraForce PRO?

Orion selected the DuraForce PRO for its built-in rugged durability and large dedicated push-to-talk (PTT) button, powerful battery, and accessory support – all in a slim phone form factor. Our customers find it a convenient and worry-free solution. For more information, see specifications on the Kyocera website.

What accessories can our teams use with DaaS devices?

Please see this article for a complete list of supported accessories.

What cellular carrier do you use?

A variety of major carriers is available. To discuss your options, contact our Solutions Team at
hello@orionlabs.io.

Can DaaS devices connect to our Wi-Fi?

Yes! DaaS phones can connect to onsite Wi-Fi.

Our property has excellent Wi-Fi coverage. Can we get DaaS devices without a data plan?

Yes, you can choose to utilize Wi-Fi only and skip the data plan. This works best for organizations that have strong Wi-Fi coverage throughout their worksite. We recommend you include a data plan if your team works in areas such as sub-basements, rooftops, outdoor areas, and parking garages, as those environments often don’t have strong Wi-Fi.

Can we use Orion with our own phones instead of using DaaS?

Yes! The Orion Push to Talk app works on most iOS and Android phones, including Sonim and Kyocera devices. If you would prefer to manage your team’s devices, you can purchase smartphones and then subscribe to the Orion Voice Platform.

Learn more and try Orion DaaS with your team

DaaS can help you get your team in sync and collaborating faster right away, without going through complicated buying processes to set up your team’s devices and network service.

For more information about the DaaS program, and how you can be a part of it, visit our Orion Managed Devices page or contact our Solutions Team at solutions@orionlabs.io to get started.

The enterprise mobile workforce tends to be woefully underserved in Digital Transformations, because the use cases are challenging to solve with traditional enterprise tech. Mobile workers are frontline operators, performing tasks in a heads-up and often hands-free manner in guest- and customer-facing transportation, manufacturing, and field service roles. They need real-time communication among co-workers, centralized dispatch, and they need to make decisions informed by data in your business systems.

Voice workflows fulfill this need uniquely. Voice workflows are AI-enabled automations that utilize real-time voice services and wearable technologies. They can be activated by a voice message or create a voice alert. Your worker will not need to unlock phones, look at screens, tap out lengthy emails, hunt for information, or navigate an interface.

Equipping mobile workers with voice workflows increases productivity, helping your teams get more done daily. Voice workflows also ensure efficiency, compliance, and safety.

Here are 10 AI-enabled workflows that Orion customers use to enhance their teams’ abilities. Each is activated by just a few words spoken into an Orion-equipped device.

Voice Workflows That Enhance Team Effectiveness

1. Keep your teams in sync with Language Translation

Leading-edge enterprise teams often have team members who speak a blend of languages. The maintenance team might communicate best in one language, while management speaks another. Traditionally, language barriers in the workplace created uncertainty, and teams relied on bilingual interpreters for clarity.

With Orion Language Translation, team members can instantly translate among dozens of languages within their team communications platform, utilizing everyday mobile devices. Enable your teams to communicate in the language they understand best. Best of all, your staff can remain heads up and engaged with customers and co-workers.

2. Query your enterprise data store

Big data is useful only if the exact bits of it your workers need at are immediately accessible in the moment.

A modern business has an enormous store of real-time information, meticulously compiled at great expense in enterprise data management systems. Yet for the average mobile or deskless worker, this information is difficult to access easily and in real time, requiring them to leave their post to find a computer. Does your team need to know if a shipment has arrived, the location of an item, the availability of a room, or the wait time for a guest?

Workflows for enterprise data allow staff to ask for vital information via voice through their Orion-equipped devices and receive answers with the most up-to-date information in milliseconds. Essential information will flow to your team through the Orion platform without interrupting mission-critical activities.

Why will you love using voice queries? Once you connect your data stores to a voice interface, you’ll finally be able to integrate big data into even the smallest of worker tasks and guest interactions.

3. Connect mobile and field teams with office workers

Companies aren’t organized solely by geography: they’re also divided by the tools they use. Workers in conference rooms use video conference tools like Zoom to collaborate, while those at desks use tools like Slack or Skype. A worker in the field might use a land mobile radio or rugged phone with push-to-talk functionality. A frontline worker won’t want to have to pull a device out of their pocket at all — customers and guests might interpret the behavior as disrespectful or distracted. Handling a mobile device can also be dangerous for a driver or manufacturing site worker.

Using Orion’s productivity-focused workflows and integrations, your team can collaborate across all functions, communicating across platforms and contexts.

Productivity workflows are simple: turn written messages into spoken alerts, and transcribe push-to-talk voice messages into text or chat updates. Integrate your mobile workforce’s voice activity with the tools that other teams already use at their desks.

You’ll love productivity workflows because they open new lines of communication between the office and the field. Eliminate barriers between teams, enabling employees to get the information they need, when they need it, from each other.

4. Reach every team member simultaneously with a single voice message

When using Orion, your team will often be divided into functional groups, meaning that people with one function won’t need to hear the activity of another.

For example, for a hospitality organization like Belle Haven Country Club in Virginia, communications are split up among Food and Beverage, Fitness, and Maintenance teams. For most daily activities, separating teams by function reduces distraction and increases productivity. However, management will occasionally need to reach everyone in an organization at once. That’s where Orion’s All Call Workflow comes in. Activate this, and your message will be transmitted to all active users.

Read the Belle Haven Country Club case study for more details about how they use All Call Workflow.

You’ll love All Call Workflow because it’ll enable you to alert your whole team instantly, summoning every team member without friction.

Next, read Part Two: Protect Workers with Automated Safety Procedures.

Learn more about Orion AI Workflows, Automation, and Voice Alerts

Curious about how Orion AI Workflows can fit into your business?

Voice-driven workflows increase team effectiveness by reducing friction between teams and their tools or business systems. Learn more by visiting our AI Workflows page or explore ideas with our Solutions Team by emailing hello@orionlabs.io.