This is Not a Test, So What Does an IT Infrastructure Look Like?
When information dissemination is of high priority, technology plays a pivotal role
by linking an institution's communications and technology infrastructure with a comprehensive emergency response strategy. These systems allow officials to immediately notify stakeholders through phone calls, e-mails, text messages, instant messages, loudspeakers and electronic signage.
There are dozens of mass notification solutions available. To determine the best fit, examine each system’s architecture and its key features during the request for proposal and evaluation process.
In-house or Hosted: Options Alert
Mass notification systems come in two forms: in-house systems that organizations install and manage themselves, and hosted Web-based solutions.
Click here to explore the features an effective mass notification system should offer.
by linking an institution's communications and technology infrastructure with a comprehensive emergency response strategy. These systems allow officials to immediately notify stakeholders through phone calls, e-mails, text messages, instant messages, loudspeakers and electronic signage.
There are dozens of mass notification solutions available. To determine the best fit, examine each system’s architecture and its key features during the request for proposal and evaluation process.
In-house or Hosted: Options Alert
Mass notification systems come in two forms: in-house systems that organizations install and manage themselves, and hosted Web-based solutions.
In-House
An in-house system is typically server-based software that ties into an organization's PBX or IP telephone phone system, enabling broadcast messages over a phone system or Web page. In-house systems offer more control, including the ability to more easily customize features and tightly integrate with existing infrastructures. But they also require the IT staff, expertise and budget to install and maintain the system, as well as the possible purchase of new servers and a network upgrade to ensure reliability and good performance.
An in-house system is typically server-based software that ties into an organization's PBX or IP telephone phone system, enabling broadcast messages over a phone system or Web page. In-house systems offer more control, including the ability to more easily customize features and tightly integrate with existing infrastructures. But they also require the IT staff, expertise and budget to install and maintain the system, as well as the possible purchase of new servers and a network upgrade to ensure reliability and good performance.
Hosted
A hosted solution requires fewer upfront costs and leaves the mass notification system management to the vendor – a bonus if you have a small IT staff. The trade off is less control and a potentially challenging integration. It is also important to work with a vendor that offers good customer service and technical support, as well as uptime 24/7/365. Hosted systems typically offer several pricing options, including monthly or yearly subscriptions.
A hosted solution requires fewer upfront costs and leaves the mass notification system management to the vendor – a bonus if you have a small IT staff. The trade off is less control and a potentially challenging integration. It is also important to work with a vendor that offers good customer service and technical support, as well as uptime 24/7/365. Hosted systems typically offer several pricing options, including monthly or yearly subscriptions.
Click here to explore the features an effective mass notification system should offer.