TEMECULA, Calif. – Today, Airbus DS Communications, an entity of Airbus Defense and Space, is introducing multiple new products and upgrades within its suite of VESTA 9-1-1 solutions. The release includes the launch of the VESTA SMS solution, the company’s text-to-9-1-1 platform, an entirely new VESTA Map solution, and significant upgrades to the VESTA Analytics solution. Each delivers leading edge technology to strengthen and advance public safety communications for communities of all sizes.

“Airbus DS Communications works tirelessly to meet and exceed the evolving needs of public safety officials and communities. This has never been more evident than in the release of this collection of upgrades to the VESTA 9-1-1 family of products,” said Bob Freinberg, CEO of Airbus DS Communications. “I am particularly excited to announce our new SMS offering which places text-to-9-1-1 capability inside our VESTA 9-1-1 solution, giving agencies the ability to easily address text calls. This is what our customers have been asking for.”

The VESTA SMS solution is based on the NENA i3 specification and supports interfacing Text Control Center (TCC) service providers as outlined in the Joint Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) J-STD-110 specification.

It provides emergency call taking centers critical capabilities to tackle the new job of managing SMS (Short Message Service) calls. For example, call takers have the ability to simultaneously manage an SMS session and a voice call from the same caller should that caller wish to switch to SMS or utilize it as a supplemental communications method. Additionally, call takers can manage multiple active SMS sessions and have the flexibility to transfer a session, including the entire conversation and location information, to another public safety answering point (PSAP) within the agency.

The VESTA SMS solution also supports location display on the existing mapping solutions, VESTA Locate and VESTA Map.

Brazos Valley Council of Governments in Southeast Texas is one of the beta test sites for the VESTA SMS and VESTA Analytics solutions, and was the first public safety agency in the nation to deliver a native text-to-9-1-1 message through call answering equipment, not a third party texting or messaging application.

“Being the first agency in the U.S. to complete a native text-to-9-1-1 call is a major step forward and will greatly improve our ability to protect our communities,” said Anita Pitt, 9-1-1 Program Manager for Brazos Valley Council of Governments. “Our call takers are impressed with the ease of use of the SMS functionality and how naturally it fits into the classic call taking process. The integration of SMS into the VESTA Analytics system is a boon from a management standpoint and allows us to take a deeper, more critical look at all aspects of the call center, including SMS calls for assistance.”

The latest version of the VESTA 9-1-1 solution, in addition to the SMS integration, offers many other new functionalities such as support for nearly triple the number of Enhanced IP phones.

The VESTA Analytics solution received a significant update that increases its flexibility and functionality. Notably, it now offers full-featured reporting for text-to-9-1-1 calls, which can be incorporated alongside voice call data. This secure, browser-based application for easy access and maintenance now supports Internet Explorer 10 for improved security and reliability.

The latest version also addresses the growing need for more advanced data mining and pre-calculates many 9-1-1 key performance indicators (KPIs). It also includes a built-in Scenario Management System that allows users to create and save their own associations regarding incident reconstruction, organization, searching and archiving.

Indio Police Department in Southern California beta tested both the VESTA Analytics and the VESTA Map solutions and has been a longtime Airbus DS Communications 9-1-1 customer.

“The capabilities of these solutions, in addition to the work and data flow that exists between them, have already been transformative in our call center,” said Lori Brown, Communications Unit and 911 Supervisor for Indio Police Department. “The VESTA Map solution provides an incredible level of location accuracy and insight into dynamics on the scene—from road closures to the likely drift of hazardous gases. This information just flows into the VESTA 9-1-1 system to be relayed to first responders.”

“The new VESTA Analytics solution provides a level of detail, across the whole 9-1-1 platform, that has the potential to transform how managers assess and administer their call center,” added Brown.

The VESTA Map solution is entirely new and offers users a real-time mapping built on Esri’s ArcGIS for Server, an advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. The solution can support regional or statewide 9-1-1 systems via an Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet) so public safety providers can share resources and save costs.

Within public safety answering points, the solution provides call takers robust and easy search options, along with integrated Hazmat functionality including Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) footprint files and Emergency Guidebook data. Both can lessen the time it takes for first responders to safely address the situation at the scene.

“Each new and updated component of the VESTA 9-1-1 family upholds the promise at the home of VESTA—to create smarter ways to keep all our communities safe,” said Freinberg.

For more information, visit Airbus-DSComm.com.

About Airbus Defence and Space

Airbus Defence and Space is a division of Airbus Group formed by combining the business activities of Cassidian, Astrium and Airbus Military. The new division is Europe’s number one defense and space enterprise, the second largest space business worldwide and among the top ten global defense enterprises. It employs more than 38,000 employees generating revenues of approximately €13 billion per year.

Airbus DS Communications, an Airbus Defense and Space Holdings, Inc. company, is a global leader and trusted source for mission-critical communications technologies. The VESTA product suite provides Next Generation 9-1-1 call processing systems, land mobile radio solutions and emergency notification applications, keeping people connected when it matters most.