Changing workforce dynamics and shifts in employee communications preferences mean companies need to (re)examine their current mass notification solution to keep their people safe and productive.

Many situations can trigger the need to quickly communicate with all your employees at once, including…

• Routine announcements
• Severe weather conditions
• Fires
• Hazardous materials events
• IT outages
• Suspicious people
• Active shooters

To ensure your mass notification system is up to par, make sure all the following functions are present and accounted for…

• Anywhere, any device, any mode. The system should be able to notify staff and visitors via SMS, email, voice, landlines, mobile devices, desktops, digital screens in the lobby or cafeteria, and overhead public address speakers.
• Multiple channels. In order to accomplish quick communications, the system should integrate with your internal contact database. That way, mass notifications can reach employees simultaneously through multiple channels.
• Different messages, different people. Your system should be able to target different audiences by geography, function and position. For example, one message can go to executives while others are sent to staff, facility personnel, remote workers and others.
• Confirmation. The system should also ask recipients to confirm they received the notification. In this way, real-time reporting can inform company responders of everyone’s location during an emergency.
• Collaboration between security personnel. A mass notification solution powered by UC should enable responders to quickly collaborate via live conferencing, voice, SMS or email. Presence technology should allow them to locate each other and determine each person’s availability to communicate (and via which device).
• Pre-event readiness. Your system should provide options for identifying numerous scenarios and preparing detailed messages and announcements – as well as automatic procedures like notifying first responders ahead of time, plus test the system for proper operation for when an emergency does occur.
• Information from the edge. Devices such as motion or gunshot detectors, panic buttons and open-door alarms should quickly communicate information essential for emergency management. With pre-written or recorded announcements, responders can initiate a mass notification at the touch of a few smartphone buttons.

Getting urgent messages to your employees doesn’t have to be complicated. With a UC-based mass notification system, you can reach your people no matter where they are and get them to safety.

Let’s talk about how a mass notification system can improve the well-being and productivity of your people. Contact CTS today: 800.787.4848 or jnolte@ctsmd.us.