Effectiveness in multi-agency response efforts demands a unitary, centralized environment that allows you to plan, train, organize, monitor and share information continuously in response to changing conditions. With VOC, users enjoy a common view of multiple technologies, tools and processes. What's more, they have the advantage of working in a familiar environment and seeing only what is relevant to their roles, bundled with whatever assets are required to complete their assigned tasks.
VOC is a COTS portal framework that integrates single sign-on, GIS, incident management, weather, presence awareness, comprehensive communications and other information sharing applications. It is an SOA interface that aggregates data and applications and presents them in a user-defined display to provide a common operational picture. Context for data point display can include GIS maps, RSS feeds, weather, SOPs and plans. Access to data can be authorized by role, mission or organization. Secure system access can be granted ad hoc to any approved user with a standard web browser, allowing instant additions of personnel during a crisis.
Like WorkCenter, VOC can be operational in weeks, not months. It costs an order of magnitude less than other systems and requires minimal IT involvement.
