Frequently asked questions
Short answers about ATAK, technology, operations and costs, and about TAK Hub itself. The linked pages go into more detail.
What does TAK Hub do?
We set up ATAK and the TAK ecosystem for emergency services, public authorities, armed forces and companies: consulting, TAK Server, hardware and mesh radio, training, support and integration. For manufacturers we develop ATAK plugins.
Who do you work for?
For fire services and civil protection, police and public authorities, aid organizations, armed forces in Germany and abroad, and event organizers and security companies. We also work with manufacturers and integrators whose products need to work with ATAK. Sectors
Does TAK Hub also work for armed forces?
Yes. ATAK comes from the military, and we work for armed forces in Germany and abroad: we train military units, set up servers and hand them over to the unit, and develop plugins for military applications. We don’t sell software. Armed forces obtain military ATAK versions through their official channels. Military and armed forces
Do you also work with small organizations?
Yes. A server and a few devices are enough to start. More units, radio and plugins can be added when you need them. Costs and process
How does a project work?
After a free initial consultation you receive a written quote. Setup and training follow, then either the handover to your administrators or operation by us. After each step you decide whether to continue.
Do you offer training?
Yes, for users, commanders and administrators. Your teams practice realistic scenarios on their own devices, and the content is tailored to your organization. Training and workshops
Is there support after the rollout?
Yes. If your team runs the system itself, we support it with questions and updates. If we run the server, a service level agreement covers updates, monitoring and new users. Support and operations
Do you work outside Germany?
Yes. We support projects in Europe and Latin America.
ATAK
What is ATAK?
ATAK stands for Android Team Awareness Kit. The app shows everyone involved in an operation the same map with positions, markers, photos and messages, even without a mobile network. ATAK explained in detail
Is ATAK free?
Yes. ATAK-CIV and TAK Server are open source, and iTAK and WinTAK are free. You pay for server operation, devices, setup and training.
Can civilian organizations use ATAK?
Yes. ATAK-CIV is the civilian version and is freely available to public authorities, aid organizations, companies and private individuals. ATAK-MIL and ATAK-GOV are reserved for armed forces and government agencies.
Where can I get ATAK?
ATAK-CIV is available on Google Play and tak.gov, iTAK in the Apple App Store. WinTAK-CIV can be downloaded from tak.gov after you register. ATAK tutorial: installation and first steps
Is ATAK available for iPhone and iPad?
Yes, as iTAK. It is the official TAK client for iOS. It connects to the same TAK Servers as ATAK but has fewer features.
What is the difference between TAK and ATAK?
TAK (Team Awareness Kit) is the umbrella term for the apps, the server and the plugins. ATAK is the Android app. There are also iTAK, WinTAK and WebTAK in the browser. TAK glossary
Which devices and operating systems are supported?
ATAK runs on Android smartphones and tablets, iTAK on iPhone and iPad, WinTAK on Windows PCs. WebTAK opens the situation map in the browser. You can often keep using the devices you already have. Hardware and mesh radio
Do we need a TAK Server?
On the same Wi-Fi or mesh network, devices exchange positions and messages without a server. You need a TAK Server to share data over mobile networks, to manage users centrally and to work with other organizations. TAK Server and hosting
How is a TAK Server set up?
The server runs on Linux, in a data center or on your own infrastructure. Setup includes a dedicated certificate authority, client certificates for each device, users and groups, and firewall rules. We take care of this and train your administrators so they can run the server themselves afterwards.
How is the data protected?
Server and devices authenticate each other with certificates, and the connection is encrypted with TLS. Groups determine who sees which data. If a device is lost, you revoke its certificate. Practical guide to TAK Server security
Does ATAK work without internet?
Yes. Offline maps are stored on the device, and devices exchange positions and messages directly over mesh radio on 868 MHz. We only use EU-compliant, CE-marked radios. Photos and video need a data connection. Mesh radios compared
Which maps can ATAK display?
Online map services and your own maps in formats such as GeoTIFF, MBTiles, KML and KMZ. You can save areas of operation in advance for offline use.
Can drones and cameras be integrated?
Yes. Video from drones, body cams and fixed cameras appears in ATAK through a streaming server, and the drone feed shows on the map where the drone is flying. Video streaming in the TAK ecosystem
In the field
How is ATAK used in practice?
Every responder sees their own position and everyone else’s on the same map. Incident command draws sectors, hazard zones and assembly points, shares site plans as data packages and uses chat to message groups or individuals.
What kinds of operations is ATAK suited for?
Above all for situations where many people work across a large area: wildfires, floods, missing person searches, large events or aid organizations’ missions abroad. Sectors
How does ATAK help at events?
Stewards, first aid teams and posts see each other on one map. Reports arrive with a location, and event control sends the nearest available person to the scene. Events and security
Do police and public authorities use ATAK?
Yes. Police, fire services, civil protection and aid organizations around the world work with ATAK-CIV. Police and public authorities
Can several organizations work together?
Yes, through federation. If each organization has its own TAK Server, the servers share selected data, for example during a joint major incident. Each side keeps control of its own server.
Costs & procurement
How much does the rollout cost?
That depends on the scope. Some projects start with a server and a training session, others run for several years. In the free initial consultation, we give you a range. Costs and process
Are there monthly license or seat fees?
No. You pay no license per user or device for ATAK-CIV, iTAK, WinTAK or TAK Server, and we don’t rent out seats on our servers. The only ongoing costs are your own infrastructure or, if we run the server, the service level agreement.
How much does training cost?
That depends on duration, number of participants and location. We give you a range in the initial consultation. Training and workshops
How long does training take?
One day is enough to get started. With admin training and more practice time, plan for two to three days.
Do we get a written quote?
Yes. After the first consultation you receive a quote that lists server, number of users, devices and training as separate items.
Do we have to host the server with you?
No. We recommend that your team runs the server itself, on your own infrastructure or with a hosting provider in Germany. We set it up, train your administrators and hand it over. If you would rather not deal with operations, we take them over. TAK Server and hosting
Where is our data stored?
On your own TAK Server, on your infrastructure or in a data center in Germany. If we run the server for you, we sign a data processing agreement under the GDPR.
Manufacturers & plugins
Do you develop plugins for our product?
Yes. For manufacturers and integrators we develop ATAK plugins, connect devices via CoT or TAK Server and maintain the plugins with every new ATAK release. More about plugin development
What is an ATAK plugin?
An extension that is installed as a separate app and brings features directly into ATAK, such as the position and camera image of a robot on the map. The plugin must match the ATAK version and the signature of the installed ATAK variant.
Why does a plugin have to be adapted with every update?
Plugins are built against a specific ATAK version. A new version comes out about every three months, and without adjustments ATAK often stops loading the plugin.
Can you take over an existing plugin?
Yes. We review the code, build and dependencies and then tell you what it takes to keep it up to date.
How is a device connected to ATAK?
Depending on the device, through a plugin over Bluetooth, serial or IP, or directly as CoT messages to the TAK Server. All clients then see the data, including iTAK and WinTAK. ATAK and CoT in detail
Is your question missing?
Write to us or give us a call. We will get back to you with an answer or a suggested appointment. The first consultation is free.