Mass Notification Serves Notice of More Uses
Emergency communications platforms are being leveraged in new ways that allow end users to achieve business efficiencies and other organizational benefits. Find out how these systems can be integrated into other business solutions as well as to expand your
College campuses oftentimes rely on mass notification systems to deliver non-emergency announcements. These platforms are being used for faculty meeting updates, class venue changes for students and more.
Multiple Ways to Improve Operational Processes
MNS platforms help improve business operations in several unique ways. With the software in place, alerts and notifications can be sent straight to distributors and vendors right away. For example, when pricing changes or special new product introductions come up, the platform makes it possible to streamline communication to keep all key partners in the loop.
Integrating MNSs into CRM systems is an efficient way to send polls and surveys to segmented customer lists. The new platform allows recipients to respond to questions in a variety of ways that are beneficial to the business and convenient for the recipient. For example, recipients can respond to questions by voice or written messages. All data is saved and made available for E-mailing or texting in full reports to any recipient the sender chooses.
The platform’s call cascade feature provides a way for marketing teams to gain useful feedback from clients or potential customers. A message can be sent out to a large group and based on the response, senders can ask more specific questions to get more specific information. This feature is also beneficial in the case of a natural disaster or emergency. The ability to automate wider alerts based on a recipient’s responses helps authorities gain information and manage the situation.
At the IT level, events affecting data security and network outages can be sent to the appropriate staff members immediately before they cause downtime or delays. The integration of data monitoring software into MNS platforms eliminates the need for a business’ IT staff members to monitor processes and systems.
In the event of an issue, the notification platform will automatically send IT an alert so the employee on duty can quickly fix the existing problem. With multiple datacenters located around the world, the platform’s monitoring process is robust and reliable. Within a business, automatic reminders can be set up in advance on behalf of the help desk team members to cut down on expiring passwords and reset issues among company employees.
Newfound Cost Efficiencies and Multiuse Applications
Government agencies ranging from the federal government down to local municipalities are using mass notification systems to minimize costs and improve efficiencies in several ways.
After the workers at one local municipality were forced to walk door-to-door to personally deliver the message of contaminated water to each resident, city officials discovered the need for a way to improve their communication with members of the city. Following the integration of MNS software, the city officials were able to reach residents with one quick message by text, E-mail or phone call. Additionally, fire departments use the platforms to notify residents of emergencies and also to communicate internally when it comes to filling open shifts.
Colleges and universities embraced MNS technology early on as a way to send emergency messages to students, staff and visitors on campus. Emergency communication systems aren’t just for emergencies anymore. Many colleges and universities rely on MNSs to streamline daily communications.
Mass notification platforms are being used on campuses to alert faculty members about a meeting update; and alert students if a class venue has changed, remind them of approaching or shifting deadlines, special events or a change in office hours. When storms hit, colleges are also using notification to inform students about canceled classes or building closures caused by unsafe conditions, flooded parking lots and power outages. Personal notification technology is also helping college officials reach students, staff and visitors who are part of an updated database through text messages, E-mails and social networks.
There are several more ways MNS software has helped improve productivity and operational processes for businesses within a growing number of industries. Suffice to say the security and fire/life-safety industries will continue to see the rise of MNS technologies in new spaces, resulting in increased opportunities for integration beyond traditional security applications.
Samuel Shanes is Chairman and CEO for Niles, Ill.-based Talk-A-Phone, a provider of mass notification and emergency communications systems. He can be contacted at [email protected].
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