Upgraded System Offers Centralized Message Distribution, Enhanced Security
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, July 24, 2009 – Inova Solutions, a company specializing in real-time visual reporting solutions, recently unveiled an upgraded version of their signage-driven emergency notification system, Inova OnAlertTM.
Inova OnAlert is a mass notification system that displays emergency and informational messages on a network of LED displays throughout a campus or other public facility. By default, the signs offer a synchronized time and date display, which can be overridden by higher-priority messages in the event of an emergency. This type of visual signage is an important component of an effective multi-modal emergency communication strategy.
“We developed Inova OnAlert with the needs of emergency management teams in mind,” said Tom Muccia, Director of Product Management at Inova Solutions. “The upgraded system integrates closely with complementary notification systems, offers enhanced security features, and is an important component in a redundant notification plan,” he explained.
Integration with Other Emergency Notification Systems
Inova OnAlert integrates with centralized emergency notification systems such as e2Campus, Alerting Solutions (formerly Hormann America), and Cooper Notification. Therefore, an emergency manager can display a message on the Inova OnAlert signs at the same time that he is sending an emergency email, SMS/text message, or message from any other notification technology connected to the centralized system. This ability to distribute messages to multiple end points from one interface saves valuable time during a crisis, when every second counts.
Enhanced Security
Unsecured LED displays are easy targets for technically-savvy pranksters to post unauthorized messages. “This is not a problem with Inova OnAlert,” said Muccia. “The signs’ secure technology only allows authorized users to send RSS/XML-based messages, assuring that designated administrators will always have sole control of emergency messages sent to the boards.”
Redundancy, Redundancy, Redundancy
Industry experts have long preached that redundancy is the key to an effective emergency notification system. Messages should be delivered via as many modes as possible to ensure maximum reach.
“The student in class likely does not have access to the same communication media as the student who is in an off-campus apartment during an emergency situation,” said Berkly Trumbo, Director of Emergency Communication Systems at Inova Solutions. “Therefore, it is important to have multiple notification modes to reach people in different locations and circumstances.”
Also, independent studies have shown that by nature, people are skeptical of emergency-related news they receive from only one source. It is not until the information is confirmed by a second or third source that the public is likely to put credence in the information and take the appropriate action.
Muccia stressed that redundancy is also important from a technology standpoint. “Inova OnAlert includes a locally-hosted messaging web site for redundancy,” he said. “The site functions as a backup system in the event of a malfunction in the primary emergency notification system. It allows authorized emergency managers and IT administrators to override messages if necessary.” This redundancy offers protection from any single point of failure in the notification technology.
About Inova OnAlert
Inova OnAlert is a real-time visual notification system that displays customized RSS/XML-based messages on bright and visible LED wallboards. When not in use for emergency messaging, Inova OnAlert displays can present informational messages or the time and date.
About Inova Solutions
Inova Solutions is a leading provider of real-time visual reporting solutions that help colleges and universities, contact centers, public transit systems, hospitals and other businesses instantly convey vital information. Learn more at www.inovasolutions.com/mass-notification/.
###