That’s what OODA stands for. It’s a term coined by Colonel John R. Boyd (January 23, 1927 — March 9, 1997; pictured right), a United States Air Force fighter pilot and military strategist, whose theories have influenced both military and business strategies.

He used the term “OODA Loop” to describe the process that individuals and organizations use to react to events. The key to success is the creation of situations where one can make appropriate decisions more rapidly than others.

Whether your adversary is Mother Nature or the business down the block, with OODAlink you can access the information you need most —exactly when you need it —so you can prevail in even the most difficult situations.

OODAlink was founded to help people and organi­za­tions implement their own “OODA Loops” to quickly understand what is going on (Observe and Orient), know what to do (Decide), and be able to do it (Act) — all the while learning from the experience (Loop).

We do so by producing easy-to-use satellite-based solutions (OODAkits) for commu­ni­cat­ing when tradi­tional networks aren’t available.

The end result is greater peace of mind—from staying connected to those most impor­tant to you—whether they’re customers, colleagues, partners, suppli­ers, friends, or family.

We applaud the work of Télécoms Sans Frontières …

Their Origin: During missions responding to the crisis in the Balkans and in Kurdistan during the 1st Gulf War, Télécoms Sans Frontières’ (TSF) founders realized that, in addition to medical and food aid, there was a critical need for reliable emergency telecommunications services. Conflicts and emergencies often led to massive civilian displacement and separated families. And affected populations are often left with no communications infrastructure in place to find assistance and loved ones. To address this need, TSF bought its first satellite phone eleven years ago and the organization was born. For all missions today, TSF offers a 3-minute call to any affected family.

TSF soon found that the international response teams that deploy to emergencies also had a critical need for reliable telecommunications services in the first days after an emergency. TSF, therefore, expanded its operations, improved its technology, and began to establish rapidly deployable emergency telecommunications centers to serve UN, government, and NGO humanitarian workers, and developed a reputation for being among the first to arrive after disasters.

Mission Haiti 2010: Deployed in Haiti the day following the terrible earthquake that struck the country, TSF teams remain mobilized, day after day, supporting the humanitarian community and the affected population. Three calling centers have been established in Port-au-Prince, Carrefour and Jacmel that are open for the people of Haiti: Union School in Port-au-Prince, Adventistes in Carrefour and Rue Febrile in Jacmel.

Everyone should know more about the work of this organization!

Nearly all satellite service providers have customizable plans to match an organization’s budget constraints. Numerous satellite-based Internet services at remote (fixed) locations are available with monthly fees typically ranging from $49 to $99 (competitive with terrestrial rates).

Recognizing the budget constraints of corporations and government agencies requiring higher grades of service (than just Internet access), satellite and wireless service providers have developed pricing plans starting as low as a few hundred dollars per month. Almost all of these providers now have mechanisms for quickly upgrading  service plans (often within an hour or less after a request) in the event of an emergency or ad-hoc requirement for higher transmission rates and data throughput.

Today you can subscribe to mobile satellite broadband services by activating a terminal and then paying for usage as you need it. Varying monthly allowance plans are also available if you can predict your  usage needs (much like a cell phone service plan). These services have monthly rates on the order of $30 to $50 per month to keep the mobile terminal or phone activated and then usage charges are invoiced at the end of each month based on actual voice minutes and data transmitted.

Many people are still under the impression that these services are expensive. However consider that satphone calls can be made for a little as $0.79  per minute with no monthly commitment. Under varying plan packages, the per call charge can go as low as $0.29.

For users requiring simultaneous voice and data capabilities, Inmarsat BGAN terminals are a good choice. These IP-based services enable voice calling and IP network access in a small form factor. Voice services  typically range from $0.79 — $1.29 (competitive with most cellular roaming charges) and data usage is charged at $6 to $8 per megabytes (bulk pricing discounts are also available).

When disaster strikes and there are no alternatives for communications — these mobile satellite broadband rates are a real bargain.

Consider the costs of not being able to make that critical call or send an email!

Communication equipment for emergencies, disaster response, and humanitarian aid MUST be portable to be truly effective (and water MUST be potable). You never know where the next disaster will strike (although we have a good idea of where the real dung will hit the fan when they do).

Pre-positioning communications assets is a reasonable strategy (hope for help isn’t) when resource constraints aren’t a big concern — but when will that ever be the case? Consider portable communications systems for those times you don’t want to think about. They can be easily kept ready and quickly transported to wherever they are needed.

Be sure the portable systems you consider include capabilities for multiple people to coordinate locally (among each other on scene) as well as remotely (connect to help and resources out of the immediate area) using voice, data, and video communications tools… and DON’T FORGET ABOUT POWER!

With proper planning and acquisition of easy-to-use mobile communications systems, you don’t ever need to find yourself in a position where it is not possible to communicate with others. Business resiliency has to start with the ability to communicate at all times. This fundamental need escalates dramatically in times of crisis where response time is critical to mitigate the effects of a disaster. Don’t forget this aspect of your continuity planning. It is as important as backing up your critical data at geographically diverse locations.

And remember .….…. making a phone call is rarely a sufficient form of communication even in normal situations. Voice, data, and video are more and more vital to sharing effective situational awareness when disaster strikes.