Northgate secures 2 million contract wins for CallTouch

Northgate Information Solutions, a provider of innovative technology solutions and services, today announces that it has secured contracts worth over 2 million in the last six months to manage the complex communications needs of eight major organisations.

Northgateís CallTouch will be used in the control rooms of London Underground, Network Rail, Heathrow Airportís Terminal 5, and five police forces ñ South Yorkshire, Thames Valley, Hertfordshire, Tayside and Dorset ñ to enable them to improve call-handling times, speed-up responses, and direct resources more effectively.

Control rooms and call-handling centres are often unable to join up communications and IT systems, leading to reduced efficiency and longer inquiry times. CallTouch is a fully-integrated system which enables simultaneous control of a range of communications channels, including telephone, radio, CCTV and IT systems.

In a police control room setting, operators answering calls from the public are immediately provided with on-screen details of the identity and location of callers. Using an integrated geographical information system (GIS) they can then locate, inform via radio and mobilise the nearest and most appropriate resource for any incident.

CallTouch delivers:

- Increased efficiency in locating and dispatching resources through a user-friendly, touch-screen display;

- Improved call-handling through supplying the operator with details of any previous contact with the caller;

- A reduction in response times through faster processing of individual inquiries.

CallTouch is already being used by organisations throughout the country including police forces, fire brigades, ambulance services, utilities and the Ministry of Defence.

Speaking today, Ian Blackhurst, Managing Director of Criminal Justice & Public Safety at Northgate Public Services, said:

ìIn the pressurised environment of a busy control room or call-handling centre, effective communication is vital. Northgate is committed to addressing the challenges facing organisations required to manage complex communications and respond quickly to incidents.

ìCallTouch gives control rooms the confidence that communications will be handled swiftly, smoothly and efficiently, helping organisations to improve their operational efficiency and encourage greater public confidence.î