„Teamwire enables us to communicate quickly, securely, and flexibly – both in everyday life and during extraordinary events.“
The city of Kleve is located on the Lower Rhine and has around 550 employees in its administration. As part of the digitalization strategy, a catalog of measures was drawn up to establish modern technologies in the administration.
A central goal was introducing a secure and GDPR-compliant communication solution to efficiently manage everyday and special application scenarios.
Initial Situation and Challenge
The city of Kleve faced the challenge of introducing a flexible and secure communication system to efficiently and securely coordinate daily tasks and significant events such as bomb disposal or the annual funfair.
In the past, WhatsApp was sometimes used in the administration, but this had to be discontinued due to data protection guidelines. A reliable solution for reaching teams quickly and exchanging information securely needed to be improved, especially for critical events such as evacuations.
„Teamwire enables us to communicate quickly, securely, and flexibly – both in everyday life and during extraordinary events such as bomb disposal or major events. We are particularly impressed by the intuitive operation, which colleagues can use in pressurized situations.“
Ben Viethen, City of Kleve – Digitalization
Requirements
The city of Kleve was looking for a communication solution that:
-
is GDPR-compliant and operates on secure servers.
-
is intuitive to use and reminiscent of the use of standard messenger services.
-
offers location marking functions to visualize areas of operation or security zones.
-
includes an alarm function for emergencies.
-
can be used on both business and private devices.
Solution
Comparison and Decision-Making
Teamwire was introduced following a proactive approach by a sales representative. During an initial presentation, it became clear that the software perfectly met the requirements of the city of Kleve. The location marking function and intuitive operation were compelling right from the start.
User acceptance was very high during the one-month test phase, in which Teamwire was also put through its paces during the city fair. The final decision to introduce Teamwire was based on an internal feedback questionnaire.
„As a local authority, we have benefited from the experience and proactive customer acquisition. Many needs only arose in the first place because we learned that Teamwire offers this. For example, the location function. Our department colleagues might not have thought of that if Mr. Coskun hadn’t shown us in his presentation.“
Ben Viethen, City of Kleve – Digitization
Introduction of the Software
Teamwire was introduced in small steps. It started with the “Public Safety and Order” department. Employees could start immediately thanks to a simple installation and short training sessions.
The intuitive user interface significantly reduced the need for training, meaning that most employees could work independently from day one.
The responsible people are working on an internal directive to establish uniform guidelines for all employees using the Teamwire app. This should also stipulate that the app can be used on personal cell phones – the key phrase here is “bring your own device”.
Results
Efficient Exchange of Information
Kleve uses Teamwire to ensure IT security through secure communication. It is also used to coordinate major events, such as bomb disposal, evacuations, and other critical incidents.
The location marking function can be used to define and monitor areas of operation. This helps, for example, to ensure that evacuations are carried out in full and that everyone is safe before a bomb is defused.
Major Events and Crisis Management
During the annual town fair or other significant events, Kleve uses Teamwire to define security areas and provide emergency services with an up-to-date overview at all times.
Here is a practical example from the everyday life of the city administration:
If, for example, there are fireworks displays at major events for which special safety corridors have to be established, Teamwire is particularly helpful because you can reach everyone involved quickly and reliably.
Emergency Alerting
Teamwire’s emergency alert function is helpful for field staff from the public order office and parking enforcement to quickly request help in escalating situations.
Intuitive Use and Acceptance
The introduction was straightforward, thanks to its similarity to popular messengers such as WhatsApp. Users appreciate the ease of use and the intuitive user interface, which enables a smooth process, especially in pressure situations.
Conclusion
With Teamwire, the city of Kleve has found a central communication platform that combines security, efficiency, and user-friendliness. From the coordination of critical operations to day-to-day communication – Teamwire meets the requirements of a modern administration and offers long-term added value for the digitalization of the city.
“The ease of use is definitely one of the things we like best about Teamwire. It’s like WhatsApp.”
Ben Viethen, City of Kleve – Digitalization
