We sat down with Amanda to talk about one of the most consequential and most misunderstood parts of dispatch center design: monitors.
What's the biggest misconception you hear about monitor setups in dispatch?
That more is better. I hear it constantly. Centers want to go to eight or ten monitors, and from experience, that can be overwhelming and create real physical strain. On the flip side, some centers want to reduce their count, which is great, but then they think the answer is a 45-inch monitor sitting directly in front of the dispatcher. That's rarely right either.
The ideal monitor setup is the one that makes the most sense for that center's workflow, and it should reflect direct input from the dispatchers who are actually using it.
What does a center need to understand about its own workflow before making monitor decisions?
That not all positions are the same. A call-taker's needs are different from a police dispatcher's needs, and designing one configuration and copying it across the floor doesn't always serve either position well.
Think about which screens are consistently used at each position and make those the focal point. Then ask whether curved monitors or portrait mode would be more beneficial for that role or for the CAD and call handling platforms being used. Those are the kinds of questions that lead to a configuration that actually works.
At what point does adding more monitors stop helping and start creating problems?
From personal experience, when I found myself scanning across multiple monitors, hunting for information, or losing my mouse, it became obvious that too many screens were hurting more than helping. In a 24/7 environment, ergonomics isn't just about physical comfort. It directly affects mental sharpness and cognitive load. When it comes to monitor configuration, less really is more.
What kinds of arrangements help reduce fatigue during long shifts?
Going back to what I said about understanding which programs are most frequently used: those should anchor the configuration. That's also where curved monitors can make a real ergonomic difference.
And this is where Apollo becomes relevant. Apollo's ability to lower monitors below the worksurface reduces visual strain from screens that aren't needed throughout the entire shift, and gives dispatchers their sightlines back. That's not a small thing over a twelve-hour shift.
What do experienced dispatchers notice immediately about a monitor setup that others might overlook?
Whether the workflow makes sense and whether their sightlines are being compromised. Experienced dispatchers can also tell almost immediately whether a configuration was intentionally designed with their role in mind or just put together without much thought. They've worked in enough setups to know the difference.
How do sightlines across the room factor into monitor decisions?
More than most people consider. Especially when you're thinking about video walls, supervisor stations, and trainer positions, sightline is critical. And this is another area where Apollo's adjustability matters. Lowering monitors below the worksurface doesn't just reduce eye strain at the individual position. It opens up the room, restores sightlines, and improves communication across the floor.
How does Apollo adapt to centers with very different monitor philosophies?
Watson recognizes that every center operates differently, with its own workflows and priorities. Apollo was designed with that in mind. The monitor support and adjustability allow the console to adapt to the dispatcher rather than the other way around. That flexibility is the point.
What do you wish every center understood about monitor capability before they started shopping?
That it isn't just about how many monitors a console can physically hold. The more important question is whether the console supports an intentional, effective workflow for the people using it.
Apollo was designed with that focus: adjustability, ergonomics, cable management, and the ability to accommodate how technology will continue to change. Those are the things that make a monitor configuration actually work over time, not the number on a spec sheet.
If you're not sure where to start with your monitor configuration, that's exactly the conversation I have with centers every day. Every room is different, and there's no one-size answer. But there are better questions, and I'm happy to help you find them.
