In July 2022, Love Uxbridge secured a successful vote for BID (Business Improvement District) renewal, giving them a strong mandate for the next five years. Eager to kick off this new chapter, the BID team quickly launched their first major project: upgrading to a modern Smart Radio system. This investment would not only increase coverage and improve audio quality for local businesses, but it would also introduce powerful analytics to support the BID’s management team.
About Love Uxbridge
Launched in 2017, Love Uxbridge is a non-profit organisation representing the Uxbridge business community. Its goal is to promote and improve the local BID Zone, making Uxbridge a safer, more attractive, and welcoming place to shop, work, socialise, and live. Over the years, Love Uxbridge has invested more than £2.5 million from levy income into the town centre and secured an additional £460,000 in commercial and government funding. With this ongoing commitment, the BID continues to enhance the town for both businesses and residents.
The Challenges
Outdated Radio System
The BID’s previous radio system, installed nearly 10 years ago by ShopSafe as part of a former Crime Reduction Partnership, had served its purpose but was now showing its age. While still functional, the system lacked the modern capabilities that today’s technology offers. As a result, it was becoming increasingly inefficient, and the team faced difficulties sourcing replacement parts for the aging radios.
Stock Shortages
The global supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic had further exacerbated the issue, making it difficult to find the necessary components to repair or replace the old radios. It was clear that an upgrade was overdue.
The Solutions
Given the area’s strong 4G and 5G coverage, ShopSafe recommended migrating to their SmartRadio Solution—a modern, cloud-based communication platform that would offer both operational and strategic benefits. The transition would not only provide improved functionality but also bring the added advantage of real-time data and analytics for better management oversight.
Once the new system was selected, ShopSafe moved quickly to ensure a smooth transition. The radios were pre-configured and delivered, with ShopSafe representatives conducting a demonstration for the Love Uxbridge team. On the same day, ShopSafe’s team, along with Love Uxbridge’s staff, collected the old equipment and delivered and trained all 70 members on the new system.
The new Smart Radio platform runs on a fully cloud-based, UK-hosted network, using Microsoft Azure for enhanced resilience and security. The system is ISO27001 and GDPR compliant, ensuring the highest standards of data protection. Users communicate via a range of Hytera devices, using either public cellular networks or internal Wi-Fi.
Key Features of the Smart Radio System
- Hytera PNC370: A compact, lightweight radio handset with an intuitive interface, a full-colour OLED screen, an emergency panic button, and superior audio quality—roughly half the weight and size of the old devices.
- Hytera PNC550: A hybrid device combining a radio and an Android smartphone, ideal for the ranger team. It includes features like playback of transmissions and visibility of online users.
To support operations, two control stations were set up in large shopping centre evidence suites, with an additional unit in the council CCTV control room. All voice calls are recorded, and the recordings are easily accessible for playback. The SmartRadio system is further enhanced by the ShopSafe Insight Portal, which provides valuable analytics such as radio usage and call volumes. The portal also enables the BID to manage all their radio assets through a dedicated CRM system.
Results & Benefits
By upgrading to the Smart Radio system, Love Uxbridge has significantly enhanced its communications capabilities. The new technology offers increased reliability, better coverage, and more efficient management. The integration of real-time analytics also provides valuable insights into system usage, helping the BID team make data-driven decisions to further improve the safety and effectiveness of the local area.
