How We Can Help
As a consulting company we bring several additions to a
communications or security project, which help our
clients.
Industry Knowledge – Communications and
security is what we do for a living. We work with
various types of equipment in our lab, so we get to know
what really works. We attend trade shows, conferences
and seminars, as well as reading industry trade
journals, to know trends, such as where different
sectors are going with new systems.
Supplier Knowledge –
We work with vendors and service providers on other
projects, and talk with them regularly, so we know what
they have and what they are planning for the future.
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Experience Of Other Clients – By working
through similar issues with other clients, we bring
their experience and ideas to help broaden the
possibilities and identify problem areas.
Dedicated Resource
– It takes time to collect and document
requirements, identify and follow up on potential
options, meet with suppliers and document the
results. This is time that internal resources do not
have. Consultants can bring resources to dedicated
functions like project management, documentation and
procurement.
An Outside View – Not being part of
the organization brings a new perspective that helps
focus efforts on the real requirements, solutions and
options. Sometimes it is difficult for people inside
an organization to ask what are perceived as silly
questions, which can drive "outside the box" ideas.
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Our Commitment To Learning
At WillowFalls, we believe
consultants need to have more than a theoretical
understanding of how things work and how clients go
about their business.
We invest in training on various equipment to understand
the technology and vendors solutions, as well as
operational training like ICS/IMS, Business Continuity,
and Emergency Management, to understand how clients
operate.
Through hands on work in our training
lab, we deal with the issues of installation,
configuration and operation of equipment, so we
understand how it really works. For example, through our
interoperability testing, we know the challenges of
interfacing different narrow band digital technologies
through analog audio interfaces.
Our Commitment To Integrity
Integrity: "adherence to moral and ethical principles;
soundness of moral character; honesty. "
At WillowFalls Consulting we pride ourselves on
maintaining a good relationship with service and
equipment providers, while remaining vendor neutral in
our work. We work for the client.
We do not sell products or services, so we are not in
competition with suppliers. Maintaining clear boundaries
is important for ensuring confidence with clients and
vendors.
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WillowFalls Training Lab
The WillowFalls training lab is a
comprehensive microcosm of communications and security
systems equipment. The lab is built on a secure IP
network, based on Canadian Government IT Security
Guidance (ITSG), such as ITSG-38 Guideline for Network
Security Zoning. Using individual computers and software
virtualization, the lab operates a mix of Windows
operating systems, as well as Linux and Solaris, and of
course DOS for a few older analog radios.
Radios include analog, NXDN, DMR and P25, with both
simplex and trunking capability. With TETRA now an
option in North America, we are preparing to add TETRA
to the collection. Radios are both mobile and portable,
from a variety of vendors. All equipment is purchased
outright, to avoid any conflict of interest. The lab
also includes a Key Fill Device for loading AES keys
into P25 radios.
Physical security and access control are also part of
the lab. As part of renovations, we are adding an IP
access control system and IP cameras.
The training lab also extends to a mobile vehicle
environment, with an IP network and mobile cameras and
video recording system, as well as console mounted
radios. The vehicle network is a secure mobile network
that can also interface with the training lab.
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