Back-to-School Safety: Tips for Transforming Existing Communication Assets Into Powerful Alerting Tools
By Stephanie Osorno, Marketing Copywriter at Alertus Technologies
Did you know your school’s existing communication assets can be leveraged for life-saving emergency notification?
When it comes to an unpredictable crisis — including severe weather events, active shooter incidents, medical emergencies, and more — intervening fast with multilayered, redundant alerting is key to ensuring on-site safety and minimizing learning disruption. By transforming existing legacy devices and systems into alerting endpoints under one integrated mass notification platform, such as the Alertus System, you’ll have a higher chance of reaching everyone, everywhere, with timely communication.
Here are a few ways to maximize your facility-based investments in the event of an emergency:
Desktop Computers
Unlike emails that could get lost in a crowded inbox, a desktop alert captures attention immediately with a visible, easy-to-read pop-up message directly on a desktop computer. Depending on the situation, you can choose full-screen or partial-screen computer desktop notifications, or a less intrusive ticker alert at the top of the screen.
If you are following a hybrid learning model, your school board may also opt for a desktop alerting extension to accommodate Chrome browsers and Chromebook computers and tablets.
VoIP Phones
With Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone software integrations, authorized school personnel can activate emergency alerts directly from their VoIP desk phone. Once an alert is activated, recipients will hear a recorded message or an audio tone on the VoIP phone. The alert will also appear on the phone screen as easy-to-read stationary or scrolling text.
Digital Signage
A digital signage software override makes it easy to override your school’s displays with customized, full-screen alert messages. This is a great way to quickly heighten awareness in high-occupancy areas, including gymnasiums and cafeterias.
Speakers
The right mass notification system (MNS) will be able to disseminate alerts over integrated devices like speakers and conventional PAs. Intelligible features such as Text-to-Speech technology help to deliver clear, audible messages in real time.
Mobile Phones
A mobile push notification allows you to reach students, faculty, and staff, even when they’re off campus, using just a WiFi connection. With an incident reporting feature, end users even have the option of quickly sending geo-tagged incident reports to the school’s safety team for immediate assistance.
As you and your team prepare for the new school year, consider these options for enhanced safety and improved incident management.
Learn More
For more tips and insight on emergency preparedness, be sure to register for Alertus’ upcoming 20 in 20 webinar — “20 Trending Notification Products for Back-to-School Safety” — on Friday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m. EDT here.
During the webinar, attendees will have the chance to hear about 20 key Alertus products and solutions, designed specifically for educational environments, in twenty minutes!