Latest News
AWCSL takes on fund raising challenge for Lake District Mountain Rescue
August 2010: All members of staff foolishly signed up for 13 mile run
A month ago someone in the office had the wonderful idea that we should do the Great Cumbria Run, a half marathon (13.1 miles) starting and ending near Carlisle Castle. It only took one day for all the members of staff to decide to join in. Adrian suggested that it would be a good team-building exercise and therefore it was decided that we should all run for the same charity as a company. Out of all the people taking part, Martin is the only one that is capable of running this kind of distance, but the others hope to catch up by race day with a harsh training schedule and lots of team support.
The race itself takes place at 10 AM on the 10th October 2010. We are all hoping to raise money for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association. The LDSAMRA covers all mountain rescue teams working in the Lake District and surrounding area providing a vital service to all those people who find themselves in trouble on the fells. It is a completely voluntary run organisation with the only funding coming from donations. Any one could need the Mountain Rescue services if they are enjoying the Lake District, as an incident on the fells could happen at any time. They also assist in other areas, for example helping out with the recent floods in Cumbria last Autumn
Please help us to raise money by either visiting our Just Giving page, or by contacting Wendy (wendy@awcsl.com) to arrange alternative methods of donation.
Supporting our customers better
December 2009: AWCSL creates a help and support desk
In December 2009 we decided it was time to get a support desk. George Charlton was put in charge of this new role making it easier for people with support issues to ring a direct line straight to Georges desk.
Anybody with a technical problem involving any of our products can now contact our newly trained support staff on 016977 48718.
New product out now
February 2009: New Enhanced Common Headset Switching Unit
February has seen the release of AWCSL’s new Enhanced Common Headset Switching Unit. The product is designed to allow the user to easily switch a single headset between the telephone instrument and the radio control system, and has many features which include: built in amplification, options for monitoring and a hands free option.
Details of the ECHSU can be found on our Accessories page.
Even more new members
January 2009: Our ever growing business
In January AWCSL decided to expand their company and employ new staff. John Graham is employed as a new software developer to help Martin out with his ever increasing workload. January has also seen a new addition to the manufacturing staff in the form of Dawn Marshall. Keep up the hard work chaps.
Newest addition to the team
December 2008: Pick and place machine improves productivity
This month AWCSL decided it was time to buy a new Laser Quadra machine. This is for placement and positioning of components, which seem to be getting smaller and smaller. We also got a new solder reflow oven to improve the flow of the soldier and therefore the finish.
We got the new machine to make our job a little bit easier. It is 1 ½ times faster at building than our old Quadra machine, it has a laser to help get the components more accurately placed on the circuit boards, and because it is more accurate there is less rework needed which also saves us time.
AWCSL supports rally car across Europe for the Great North Air Ambulance
16th September 2008: Team struggles through rain and snow for local charity
A team of employees from AWCSL have driven in an event known as the Scally Rally to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance. The Scally Rally is an annual event that takes place every September. The aim is to drive from Calais, France, to Rimini, Italy, in a car costing £100 or less. The route takes us across France, through Switzerland and Italy, via difficult mountain passes including the infamous Stelvio Pass.
The car they chose for the event was a slightly used Ford Escort which is best described as having character. The good news is that the car made it all the way there, and then all the way back again with all team members intact.
The trip was not entirely without problems, with the weather being only one problem of many. As you can see from the picture there was snow high up in the Alps. By the time the car had made it to France there was a strange noise from the rear wheels (suspected wheel bearing) and you could not rely on the steering to take you in straight lines. The car only overheated twice, once when it decided to snow heavily and once when the rain decided to fall. But they still made it to Italy in one piece.
The team would like to thank AWCSL for sponsoring them and for the support given to them during preparation. They are hoping to go again next year, but only if the weather stays dry.
Gerald David OBE award for innovation in Business Radio
24th June 2008: AW Communication Systems Ltd. Wins Again
FCS is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2008 Gerald David OBE Award for Innovation in Business Radio has been won by AW Communications Systems Ltd (AWCL) for it's TRICX IP-based switch solution.
David Hosie of Audiolink, chairman of the judging panel speaking at the FCS AGM said, “The judges were impressed by the level of all the entries for the 2008 award. We had excellent and diverse candidates from major international manufacturers to small and innovative UK businesses, each introducing new ideas and new ways of delivering services into the important niche radio market. Judging was very close and the winner AW Communications Systems Ltd showed once again how systems and software are driving innovation.
“The judges agreed to make a runner up award to Motorola Ltd for their undoubted significant commercial impact in the BR sector. We would like to thank all the entrants, the judges and in particular Team Simoco for sponsoring the innovation award this year”
On receiving the award from Mark Thomas, Marketing Director of Team Simoco, the award sponsor, Adrian Charlton said “AWCSL are extremely delighted to receive the Gerald David OBE award for Innovation in Business Radio 2008 for our TRICX solution. We appreciate that the competition for the award was of a very high standard, including products from small companies like ours as well as those from large multi-nationals. We are proud that the TRICX is the second product from AWCSL to have won this award, with the TRip winning in 2006. The TRICX solution provides an integrated radio and telephone communication switch using IP based technology and is compatible with analogue and digital radio systems as well as many telephony standards.”
FCS Awards are presented annually in four categories: business radio, mobile equipment installer, fixed service provider and VoIP.
The judging panel for the 2008 award was:
- David Hosie - Audiolink, chairman of the judging panel
- Don Baker - consultant
- David Britland – consultant
- Paul Jarvis - Ofcom
- Jacqui Brookes - FCS