• The geo-diverse Sentinel^® Patriot^® call processing solution ensures call takers are equipped with next generation features to better serve the Alexandria community
• Enhanced call center metrics software works seamlessly with the Sentinel Patriot solution for reporting from multiple locations

TEMECULA, Calif., June 19, 2012—Cassidian Communications, an EADS North America company, announces the recent upgrade to mission-critical call handling equipment at the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) in Alexandria, Va. The 23 call taking positions at the Alexandria DEC and the 11 call taking positions at the center’s backup facility are now equipped with the geo-diverse Sentinel^® Patriot^® call processing solution and the Aurora^® management information system (MIS). Both sites also are protected from computer security threats with the Cassidian Communications suite of Managed Services.

The Sentinel Patriot call handling solution’s IP architecture, designed expressly for next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) applications, is based on current and evolving critical communications technologies and standards. This allows for the sophisticated design of backup, disaster recovery and overflow operations with the assured ability to provide reliable service under unexpected conditions.

Completing the NG9-1-1 system suite designed for Alexandria’s DEC is the Aurora solution for complete call center metrics as well as the comprehensive Managed Services offering for around-the-clock direct and secure connectivity with the Service Management Center, ensuring the integrity and reliability of its solutions.

The DEC is responsible for handling all emergency and administrative calls from Alexandria’s approximately 140,000 city residents. In 2011, the center received close to 380,000 emergency and administrative calls for service.

According to the DEC, each dispatcher is responsible for all routine radio work in the city, including call dispatching and ordering of certain auxiliary services, such as tow trucks, animal control and other city services. The dispatchers also facilitate the transfer of medical emergency and fire calls within the city limits to the Alexandria Fire Department.

The Alexandria DEC also is equipped with The Communicator!^® NXT™ emergency notification system and the GeoCast^® Web™ mapping solution. Both solutions are fully redundant SaaS (Software as a Service) platforms, residing in Cassidian Communications state-of-the-art, geo-diverse hosting facilities. Alexandria officials have secure access to data, maps and infrastructure, and are able to activate notifications easily. Both the solutions and the users also are backed by 24/7 technical support, helping ensure their success when and if emergency activations are necessary.

Cassidian Communications continues to serve clients ranging from public safety operations to Fortune 1000 corporations to federal agencies. Collectively, the company has more than 40 years of experience deploying 9-1-1 call processing solutions, notification solutions and first responder digital trunked radio networks.

About Cassidian Communications (www.CassidianCommunications.com)

As the largest and most trusted source of mission critical communications solutions, Cassidian Communications, an EADS North America company, is leading the way in standards-based NG9-1-1 call center applications, notification solutions and services, and P25 land mobile radio systems.

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com)

EADS North America is the U.S.-based operation of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and related services. EADS contributes more than $12 billion to the U.S. economy annually and supports over 220,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers. EADS North America, headquartered in Herndon, Va., offers a broad array of advanced solutions to meet U.S. military and commercial requirements, including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, homeland security systems, public safety communications, defense electronics and avionics, and threat detection systems.