Sepura Channel Partner 2826 Ltd has recently installed a new Sepura Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) solution at World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace. The heritage status of Blenheim Palace and Park sits alongside other unique and diverse World Heritage Sites such as the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America.
Operational staff welcome thousands of visitors on a daily basis to Blenheim Palace and giving each and every member of the public a truly memorable experience takes much planning and preparation, therefore reliable, robust communication tools are of paramount importance. Heather Carter, Head of Operations and her team had concerns regarding their ageing analogue two-way radio system that lacked features, functionality and offered only limited site coverage; therefore decided to look at upgrading their system to digital and went out to competitive tender. Hampshire-based, Sepura Channel Partner, 2826 Ltd, was invited to Blenheim Palace to demonstrate the Sepura digital portfolio. At the same time as the demonstration and initial consultation a detailed coverage survey was also conducted to enable 2826 Ltd to put together a plausible proposal. At the end of the tender process, Blenheim awarded the contract to 2826 Ltd.
“We are delighted with our new Sepura DMR system and very impressed with the consultative approach, smooth installation and new relationship we now have with 2826 Ltd”, said Heather Carter, Head of Operations.
Blenheim Palace faced significant communication challenges with its outdated analog system. The primary issue was inadequate coverage across the extensive estate, which often resulted in operational inefficiencies and potential safety concerns for both staff and visitors. Additionally, the old analog system lacked modern, essential features such as clear audio quality and emergency protocols. These challenges hindered the operational staff’s ability to manage the site’s vast daily operations effectively and ensure a high level of safety and service for the thousands of visitors Blenheim Palace welcomes each year.
To elevate the standard of visitor experience at the World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, a transition from an ageing analog communication system to a modern digital platform was essential. Catering to thousands of visitors daily, the Blenheim operations team recognised the critical need for an upgraded setup to provide exceptional, memorable guest experiences consistently. The palace’s requirements were clear: a reliable and robust digital communication system to enable superior customer service and enhance safety for all. The new system would need to deliver expansive coverage and advanced functionality so that the staff could coordinate efficiently, respond to emergencies swiftly, and maintain the highest standard of service that is synonymous with the prestige of Blenheim Palace.
The implementation of the Sepura DMR Tier II solution at Blenheim Palace was considered a huge success, significantly enhancing the site’s communication infrastructure. The SBR8040 repeater delivered comprehensive site-wide coverage, while the sixty SBP8340 radios, distinguishable by their coloured fronts for easy talk group identification, facilitated smooth staff coordination. Seven full keypad/display SBP8040 radios and an SBM8040 desktop display radio, linked to the SICS eXpress PC dispatcher application, allowed for meticulous management of messaging, call logging, and emergency alarms. Additionally, the GPS mapping feature proved instrumental in augmenting operational command. This sophisticated arrangement resulted not just in increased operational efficiency and visitor safety, but also improved the overall visitor experience.
"We were very impressed with the Sepura features offered which included amazing audio clarity, long battery life, extra functionality which includes an Emergency button feature which is linked to our building alarm system procedure and of course the site wide and in-building coverage that we’ve never experienced before”. - Heather Carter, Head of Operations
