Windows 10 helps build a better solution for public safety

Staff Writer

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Microsoft’s latest efforts with Windows 10 have been aimed largely at consumer and enterprise users, but public safety officers will also see real-world improvements to the work put into Microsoft’s latest OS release.Public safety officers like police and emergency first-responders have a need to get information to and from command centers to keep communications up-to-date.
Microsoft’s Power BI data analysis and management software, now ready to work on Windows 10, lets the people in charge of various task forces and operations input, manage, and even get predictions based on past data. This helps prevent problems like crime rate spikes and bottlenecks in response times in the case of a natural disaster.
When Microsoft sends out an update, devices running Windows 10 will be in the queue to download and install it automatically, so law enforcement doesn’t have to break flow just because of an update that secures hardware and software from hackers and break-ins.
Windows 10’s introduction of the Universal Windows Platform allows developers to code a single app, and, with a little additional code, have it run on any Windows 10 device from a pocketable Lumia 550 to a presentation-ready Surface Hub. The UWP would allow an officer, as Microsoft’s official post proposes, to draw up an arrest on her or his Windows 10 Mobile-running device, and have it readable and functional when sent to the next stage in booking which will handle the report on a Surface or Windows 10 desktop.  Microsoft highlights how the Surface Hub allows a whole room of detectives to collaborate on a single screen and communicate directly between precincts to keep everyone in the loop and up-to-date on evidence and progress.
Microsoft goes on to note how the Microsoft Advanced Patrol Platform is specially tailored to dispatch officers to let those on patrol have quick access to a variety of information like driving directions, current missing persons list, and a shift report feed to name just a few. This hub of information is ideal for officers that are out on patrol or out on a call, and allows Windows 10’s unifying efforts to come to real fruition.  Windows 10’s potential is being tapped more and more, and as it reaches users on many levels of work or play it will provide a strong ecosystem and backbone to many a project, team, and business.