Q. Who is Orion Communications?
Q. What are the services you provide?
Q. What is the product you provide?
Q. What benefits can I see using an AgencyWeb system?
Q. How easy is it to use AgencyWeb?
Q. What reports does AgencyWeb provide?
Q. Where does the data reside?
Q. What are the connectivity requirements?
Q. Can AgencyWeb use Active Directory for system access?
Q. How does AgencyWeb integrate with third party systems?
Q. Are there funding assistance programs to support the purchase of AgencyWeb?
Q. What type of customer support does Orion offer?
Q. How do we get started?


Q. Who is Orion Communications?
Orion Communications has provided software and services for Public Safety agencies, Judicial organizations and local governments since 1998. Headquartered in Dallas, TX with regional sales and support offices nationwide, Orion is a privately woman-owned business.


Q. What are the services you provide?
Orion provides both private and public organizations with technology efficiency assessments, integration and data migration engineering, network and security engineering, application monitoring and customer help desk services.


Q. What are the software products you provide?
Orion provides AgencyWeb® software -- which is used to organize, direct and control the agency workforce throughout their daily activities. AgencyWeb simplifies agency operations and removes a lot of unnecessary paperwork - while improving business performance. As a result, agencies become more efficient and cost effective.

AgencyWeb can share data with existing technology – like CAD, RMS, JMS, HR, Court Case, City and internal systems. It adds what is needed, while keeping the core focus of the original application. By using this approach costly appropriations are avoided and existing agency data is used to optimize agency business procedures.
 

Q. What benefits can I see using an Orion AgencyWeb system?
  · Saved time and cost with increased efficiencies
  · Streamlined processes using workflow automation
  · Automated notifications to individuals or groups
  · Automated coordination of workforce processes and schedules
  · Increased employee accountability and supervisory controls
  · Elimination of unnecessary paperwork
  · Greater ability for compliance to standards of operation


Q. How easy is it to use AgencyWeb?
Designed for everyday use, intuitive screens and role based navigation means that agency personnel can quickly learn how to use the features that apply to their jobs.


Q. What reports does AgencyWeb provide?
Orion’s AgencyWeb solutions include standard reports in each module. Microsoft Report Writer enables custom reports based on agency defined criteria.


Q. Where does the data reside?
Orion solutions reside on browser-based application servers that can be housed within an organization’s or municipality’s data center. Standard installations can allow for access to Orion solutions via the Internet or the system can reside 100% within the municipality’s intranet with no access to the application via the Internet.


Q. What are the connectivity requirements?
Orion offers options depending upon the connectivity requirements of the customer.


Q. Can AgencyWeb use Active Directory for system access?
Absolutely -- Active Directory can be used to access AgencyWeb. In these types of deployments, Orion can provide a URL for all Active Directory accessible users and then a second URL for Non-Active Directory users. Therefore, the municipality can control their rollout methods.


Q. How does AgencyWeb integrate with third party systems?
AgencyWeb allows imports from existing or new municipal platforms. It is also capable of exchanging data with other systems and sets up XML file exchanges for real-time synchronization.


Q. Are funding assistance programs available that can support the purchase of AgencyWeb?
Yes. The following funding assistance programs are available for public safety agencies.
  · http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/byrne.html
Edward J. Byrne Program awards grants to states for use by states and units of local government to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. Grants may be used to provide personnel, equipment, training, technical assistance, and information systems for more widespread apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation of offenders who violate such state and local laws
  · http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/
COPS funding advances community policing and problem-oriented policing efforts through the development of products, tools, applied research that will facilitate the adoption and implementation of training and technical assistance.
  · http://acquisition.gov/index.cfm
Acquisition Central is hosted by IAE (Integrated Acquisition Environment), the E-Gov Initiative that is streamlining
the federal acquisition process.
  · http://www.rkb.mipt.org/
The Responder Knowledge Base (RKB) is a national information resource for emergency responders, sponsored
by the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) and funded by the DHS Office of Grants and Training,
Preparedness Directorate (G&T).
  · http://www.leitsc.org/
The LEITSC (Law Enforcement Information Technology Standards Council) Technology Assistance Program provides
law enforcement agencies an opportunity to work with the Standard Functional Specifications for Law Enforcement
CAD Systems and the Standard Functional Specifications for Law Enforcement RMS.
  · http://www.firegrantsupport.com/safer/
The purpose of the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants is to help
fire departments increase the number of frontline firefighters.


Q. What type of customer support does Orion offer?
Orion customers have real-time access to product support services. Orion’s maintenance and support services vary by solution and customer services agreements.

  · Live Support personnel 8:00 am (CST) to 5:00 pm (CST),
     Monday – Friday, excluding national holidays
  · After hour support 24/7 (contract required)
     - Emergency after hours number based on severity levels
  · Email support
  · Help Desk Phone Support
     - Submission form for request and receipt notification
     - Response within 24 hours of notification
  · Web site support
     - Help site for AgencyWeb
     - Maintenance of al AgencyWeb updates
  · Online trouble ticket system
     - Submission of request and online review of status
     - Email notice of trouble ticket resolution and ticket web link


Q. How do we get started?
Email us at sales@orioncom.com or call us at (214) 361-1203, ext. 2401.