DDTI news: Find out where the industry is heading.

At DDTI, we're always a little ahead of the curve. To learn more about what we're up to — and where the industry will likely follow, read more below.

February 7, 2012

$250M in Funds Slated for NG9-1-1 Emergency Technology

Congress supports public safety workers efforts to save lives and get up to speed with life saving technology

COLUMBUS, Ohio – February 7, 2012 – Citizens who call 9-1-1 expect prompt assistance. Most get it, but for those unable to talk during an emergency call – either to preserve their own safety or because they’ve become unconscious or are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired – may find help harder to get. That’s because the technology powering many 9-1-1 centers across the country is sorely outdated.

Congress took a big step earlier this month towards changing that and ensuring the most reliable, up-to-date emergency technology is made available to all 9-1-1 centers nationwide.

On Dec. 1, the House Subcommittee on Communications and Technology adopted an amendment to H.R. 2629 – also known as the Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act – aimed at upgrading 9-1-1 capabilities and authorizing up to $250 million over five years for new technology, services and training related to NG9-1-1.

Next Generation 9-1-1 (or NG9-1-1) refers to the planned enhancement of 9-1-1 services nationwide to allow public safety answering points to receive text messages, pictures, video and even data-only "calls" from smoke alarms, telematics or personal medical devices. NG9-1-1 also requires a single, unambiguous, site-specific address to be matched to every 9-1-1 call – including those coming from apartment complexes, office buildings and mobile home parks. Under current 9-1-1 practices, address ranges or a single address point for a multi-unit structure is all that is typically used, yet that can significantly slow response time. Assigning individual addresses for each unit within a building will result in more precise emergency routing and greatly improve the ability of first responders to locate callers – or devices that generate 9-1-1 calls – in multi-unit structures.

"Outdated technology costs lives," said Ron Cramer, president of Columbus-based Digital Data Technologies, Inc., whose company is a leading NG9-1-1-solutions provider. "I applaud Congress for taking up this important issue and for working to ensure life-saving technology is affordable and available to all."

The amendment, offered by Representatives John Shimkus (R-IL) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), is expected to go before both houses of Congress for a vote in early 2012.

To find out more about how to apply for grants go to www.ddti.net/ng911funding.

Digital Data Technologies, Inc. (DDTI) Digital Data Technologies Inc. (DDTI), based in Columbus, Ohio, is the world leader in creating field-verified GIS addressing data that is accurate to within +/- one meter. DDTI’s suite of NG9-1-1 solutions was tested at the National Emergency Numbering Association (NENA)’s Industry Collaboration Events, ICE 3 and ICE 4. DDTI was also the provider of choice for the pilot phase of Ohio’s statewide initiative to build a unified set of highly accurate map data able to meet the vastly different needs of state, county and municipal governments. DDTI’s suite of AccuGlobe® products includes: 9-1-1 Map Data for enhanced public safety, 9-1-1 Dispatch for locating emergency calls, Mobile Data Computer Software for optimized routing to emergency locations, Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Software for tracking the whereabouts of emergency units, and GIS Data Maintenance for streamlined updating, merging and sharing of new map and address data. For more information about DDTI and its products, visit www.ddti.net.

December 1, 2011

DDTI Bridges the Gap to NG9-1-1 at NENA Event

Solution Leader Excels in "Real-World" Simulations

Columbus, Ohio, December 1, 2011 (PRNEWSWIRE) — Digital Data Technologies Inc., (DDTI) a leader in 911 Emergency Response Software and accurate GIS data, participated in the fourth National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Industry Collaboration Event (ICE 4), in Irving, Texas at the AT&T Center for Learning the week of November, 14, 2011.

ICE 4 was the largest and most technically complex ICE to date and culminated in a successful, multi-vendor testing process that provided increased awareness and recognition of the requirements, interactions, and protocols necessary for interoperable call routing in a NENA i3 NG9-1-1 environment.

DDTI’s AccuGlobe LoST services and products were tested, for compliance and interoperability with the NENA i3 NG9-1-1 Standards, in a multi-vendor environment. Specifically, DDTI tested their LoST functionality with their Location Validation Function (LVF) and Emergency Call Routing Function (ECRF) software. These "real world" simulations of varied call routing situations and environments resulted in mutually valuable insight and better understanding of the nuances of the specifications and requirements of NENA NG9-1-1.

"DDTI was privileged to collaborate with NENA and come together with twenty-one other companies in the public safety industry to test product and services that allow call routing based on the LoST hierarchy and to ensure reliable and predictable emergency call routing and location validation," said Ron Cramer, President of DDTI.

The focus of the event was emergency call routing based on the LoST hierarchy. This is the core function required to assure reliable and predictable emergency call routing and location validation regardless of the media type or device being used to place a call. The largest and most complex ICE event ever undertaken, it culminated in a successful multi-vendor testing process, resulting in heightened awareness and recognition of the requirements necessary for interoperable call routing. The twenty-two companies involved evaluated multi-vendor interaction between Emergency Call Routing Functions and also included the following functional entities:

• Emergency Services Routing Proxies
• Location Validation Functions
• Location Information Servers
• Legacy Network Gateways
• Call logging and recording
• NG9-1-1 PSAP CPE
• SIP User Agents

The testing explored a greater detail of specification called for in the requirements in a variety of different "real world" situations focusing on call routing. Specifically, the following interactions and protocols were evaluated:

• Recursive and iterative LoST queries
• Multi-Hop routing cases involving a combination of a forest guide, state-level ECRF, and regional or local "leaf node" ECRF’s
• Default routing and error handling at the ECRF and ESRP level
• LIS based location validation utilizing an LVF in a variety of different scenarios
• Call logging and recording interaction

ABOUT Digital Data Technologies Inc. (DDTI)

Digital Data Technologies Inc. (DDTI) is the world leader in creating field-verified GIS addressing and NG 9-1-1 mapping data that is accurate to within one meter. DDTI is based in Columbus, Ohio, and was the provider of choice for the pilot phase of Ohio's statewide initiative to build a unified set of highly accurate map data able to meet the vastly different needs of state, county and municipal governments. DDTI's suite of AccuGlobe® products includes: 9-1-1 Map Data for enhanced public safety, 9-1-1 Dispatch for locating emergency calls, Mobile Data Computer Software for optimized routing to emergency locations, Automatic Vehicle Location Software for tracking the whereabouts of emergency units, and GIS Data Maintenance for streamlined updating, merging and sharing of new map and address data.

DDTI’s NG9-1-1 product line includes a broad range of both premise-based and fully managed public safety solutions that fully comply with the NENA i3 NG9-1-1 Standards. DDTI’s AccuGlobe® 9-1-1 is recognized as the most accurate and reliable 9-1-1 mapping solution to aid first responders, improve response times and save lives.

For more information about DDTI and its products contact Bruce D’Autremont, President of DDTI, toll-free at 888.800.4003 or at bdautremont@ddti.net.

September 13, 2011

Poor 9-1-1 map data puts lives at risk

Emergency responders can't help residents if they can't locate them.

Columbus, OH — Most 9-1-1 map data is flawed across the country. It's inaccurate. It's outdated – missing new streets, closed roads and sometimes whole new developments. Worst of all, the vast majority of 9-1-1 map data has never been field verified to ensure accuracy and, in turn, facilitate rapid emergency response.

"There are a lot of mapping systems out there that will guess what an address is instead of field verifying it," says Kim Hambel, Communications Supervisor for the Muskingum County, Ohio, Sheriff's Office, whose county is one of 77 in Ohio that now use field-verified 9-1-1 map data. "When a life is on the line, I don't want to guess. I want an accurate location of where that address is at."

Unreliable 9-1-1 map data is slowing emergency response times and, in some cases, preventing citizens from getting the life-saving help they may need. Dispatchers and first responders often know their maps are bad, but they don't speak of it because they feel powerless to change it. They work with what they've got, as frustrating as it may be at times.

In Minneapolis-St. Paul and the State of Texas, for example, an eye-popping 85 percent of 9-1-1 datasets were found to have some degree of error, according to a 2011 report from the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council. In addition, an analysis of 50 recent data validation reports from various areas across the country exposed errors or omissions in nearly all 9-1-1 datasets, with the norm being a discrepancy rate of more than 70 percent. This means citizens in these areas may not be located quickly – or perhaps at all –when they are in need of emergency services.

It doesn't have to be that way. More than three-quarters of Ohio's 88 counties have found a solution to their 9-1-1 mapping woes. It's called a Location Based Response System, or LBRS, and it is saving lives – as well as taxpayer dollars – on a regular basis.

Ohio's LBRS has been lauded by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a "best practice" in its 2011 Transportation for the Nation strategic plan. It has put Ohio in a position to be well ahead of the pack in complying with Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) efforts. It is bringing together all levels of government to build one set of highly accurate, reliable, consistently updated map data that everyone – from the state department of transportation and the county tax assessor to the local school districts and 9-1-1 operators – can easily use and afford. It's a solution that works.

Details about Ohio's Location Based Response System can be found in the attached white paper, recently released by the State of Ohio. Nearly a dozen experts contributed to this paper and each can attest to the power and importance of having field-verified, up-to-date 9-1-1 map data.

"Good mapping can make the difference between life and death," said Dave Blackstone, GIS Manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

"There's no need for lives to ever be in jeopardy because of unreliable 9-1-1 map data," echoed Ron Cramer, president of Digital Data Technologies Inc. DDTI is the Ohio company that pioneered the technology behind the field verification and data maintenance process that makes Ohio's LBRS so pinpoint accurate. "DDTI's 9-1-1 map data is field verified to spot inaccuracies before lives are lost."

For more information about DDTI and its products, visit www.ddti.net or contact Ron Cramer, president of DDTI, toll-free at (888) 800-4003 or at rcramer@ddti.net.

April 27, 2011

Public Safety Industry Leaders Support NENA Next Generation 9-1-1 Architecture Interface Standard known as i3

• Formal ratification of the NENA "i3" standard is urged for optimum public safety communications performance and interoperability
• 911 Datamaster, Avaya, Cassidian Communications, Digital Data Technologies (DDTI®), GeoComm, RedSky Technologies, Solacom and TeleCommunication Systems demonstrate unprecedented collaboration in support of standards-based public safety technologies
• Public safety agencies encouraged to procure and implement NG9-1-1 solutions to fully align with the i3 standard in order to provide optimum mission critical communications performance and interoperability

ARLINGTON, VA — Today, eight leading vendors providing application and network functionality for public safety announced unprecedented collaboration in support of the immediate ratification of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) i3 document (Functional and Interface Standards for Next Generation 9-1-1, Standard 08-002 v1 and 08-003 v1) as the sole NG9-1-1 network architecture and interface standard. The NENA i3 standard represents an evolutionary standard(s) progression that masterfully builds upon previously-published and approved i1, i2 and i3 requirements and architecture documents.

The ability to dial 9-1-1 for emergency-related requests is a fundamental component of the public safety service delivery system in the United States, North America and abroad (via various dialing numbers (112, 611, etc). As such, the public expects 9-1-1 to work whenever and wherever it is needed. This level of 9-1-1 service availability has been achieved through the establishment of rigorous standards. Over time, these critical standards have evolved to adapt to the changes in technologies as well as requirements from the public safety community of users.

"We fully advocate that NENA remain the 'Voice of 9-1-1' and continue its NG9-1-1 standards development and evolution efforts. Doing so will enable the public safety community [end-user agencies and business ecosystem members] to enhance and accelerate the development and deployment of NG9-1-1 emergency communication solutions," said representatives from each company. "This will ensure that public expectation for a 9-1-1 system that has become the world's benchmark will remain robust and continue to protect life and property."

NENA has been an active player in the 9-1-1 standards effort. Over the years, NENA has led the way in the development and evolution of essential technical, operational and administrative standards related to 9-1-1 service delivery. NENA's leadership and ability to pull together key members of the public safety community has truly enabled advances in overall service reliability and delivery for 9-1-1 communications. The global shift to broadband, Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications and services, such as the internet, instant messaging, text messaging, video, and voice-over-IP (VoIP) requires a commensurate shift in 9-1-1 service standards. Once again, NENA has led the way in the standards development process through the evolution and approval of NG9-1-1 standards such as i1 and i2, which deal with VoIP technology integration.

As a result of their experience and expertise, NENA also recognized that a single NG9-1-1 network architecture and interface standard would be imperative to foster competition, control costs and accelerate NG9-1-1 adoption.

"In conclusion, a single comprehensive and open (non-proprietary) standard such as i3 is absolutely essential to achieve reliable, fully interoperable NG9-1-1 communications; and to realize the full potential and benefits associated with receiving non-traditional data types to 9-1-1," company representatives further stated.

December 7, 2010

DDTI Invited to Participate in NENA "ICE 3" Event

COLUMBUS, OH — DDTI was honored to be part of the third National Emergency Number Association (NENA) sponsored Next Generation Industry Collaboration Event (ICE 3). This multi-day event successfully concluded on December 3, 2010 in Bryan, Texas. The focus of the event was testing the location validation and call routing of the NENA Next Generation 9-1-1specifications in a variety of real world situations.

In Next Generation 911, the location is validated against and used with the local 911 Authorities' GIS data to route the 911 call. The DDTI Location Validation Function (LVF) and Emergency Call Routing Function (ECRF) were tested for interoperability during this event. The testing explored the detailed requirements and interoperability called for in the NENA NG911 specification. NENA views this testing critical to meeting the interoperability promises of Next Generation 911. DDTI is actively involved with the NENA i3 standards development process and is committed to working with NENA and the rest of the 911 industry on interoperability and implementation of the NENA Next Generation 911 standards.

Ron Cramer, President of DDTI stated, "Since 1993, Digital Data Technologies has built our business on the basis that location accuracy matters most in Public Safety. This ICE event finally confirms how important the underlying data accuracy will be to the emerging 9-1-1 standards. We believe that anyone who calls, texts, or otherwise reaches out to 9-1-1 deserves to be found. These emerging standards will put the entire 9-1-1 community in a position to do just that - save more lives".

November 19, 2010

Communication Between Agencies, Mobile Devices Possible with DDTI Solution

New feature enables transfer of 911 call location information

Columbus, OH — DDTI is proud to announce the successful implementation of a progressive new Next Generation 911-ready feature to its AccuGlobe® 911 suite of software solutions. Dispatchers at a public safety answering point (PSAP) equipped with AccuGlobe® 911 Dispatch™ software can send incident location information–regardless of Telco, computer aided-dispatch (CAD) or Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)-to a remote dispatch center or mobile device running AccuGlobe® software.

Transferred call information will display on the receiving dispatch center's AccuGlobe® incident map. Rebid wireless call locations will update on the map, and cascade throughout the transfer chain.

DDTI implemented the pilot program this month in Richland County, Ohio, connecting the sheriff's office with three other dispatch centers: Lexington, Ontario and Shelby police departments. Richland County's public safety officials observed as test 911 calls with complete automatic number identification (ANI) and automatic location information (ALI) were successfully transferred from the PSAP to another remote dispatch center, and then to a mobile unit utilizing DDTI's United Response Network service.

The feature went live, and the sheriff's office has since transferred a number of calls.

"This technology lets us deliver 911 caller location to dispatch centers that would otherwise have had to spend tens of thousands of dollars to become a PSAP to do the same thing," said Jim Southward, wireless phase II coordinator for the Richland County Local Emergency Planning Committee. "Smaller agencies operating on conservative budgets have just as critical a need for accurate, reliable 911 call information, and this makes it possible."

According to a DDTI client survey, 80% of its Dispatch clients have need to transfer one or more 911 calls to another PSAP or dispatch center on a weekly or daily basis.

"We knew the need was there, and our research confirmed it. This single feature can bring 911 caller location to another dispatch center, whether or not they are a PSAP," said DDTI President Ron Cramer. "Now, AccuGlobe® users that are part of the United Response Network can transfer call location information to one another. This will undoubtedly save lives and property."

November 5, 2010

AccuGlobe® 911 Upgrade Includes 3-D Routing Engine

DDTI announces the release of its newest version of AccuGlobe® 911 Mobile application, complete with three-dimensional routing using your local GIS data. While standard two-dimension routing remains an option, those users seeking a new perspective can view street-level or top-down route views.

AccuGlobe® 911 Mobile offers the functionality of a dispatch environment console formatted specifically for field use in mobile data terminals (MDTs). Users can select from the application's menu options via large, easy-to-navigate, touch screen buttons, and perform simple street searches that utilize their jurisdiction's GIS data to find all addresses and intersections within a given street.

October 21, 2010

DDTI Expands Development Team with Industry Veteran Lin Malott

As part of its strategic plan for future growth, DDTI has expanded its development team to include Lin Malott. Malott has more than a decade of experience in the 911 industry with established relationships with police, fire and EMS agencies in the midwest.