MobileSOS, which provides personal security services via mobile phones, has launched Virtual Roll Call, which the company says enables businesses to have a significantly improved level of two-way communications with multiple mobile staff.
The solution was developed partly in response to the London terrorist incidents in July 2005, and helps answer two questions every employer of mobile staff potentially faces: How do we know where our staff are? and How do we get information to them and manage their responses more efficiently than simply calling or texting them individually?
Configured via any online computer, pre-recorded voice messages are sent out inviting key press responses. The response options are created by the administrator, who can see and sort the responses online, and the location of the response can also be instantly recorded. MobileSOS says this makes Virtual Roll Call far more powerful than an ordinary SMS service and more immediate and wide-reaching than email. Virtual Roll Call can still operate if the mobile network is unavailable and can also be used by staff proactively, as they can dial in to respond to roll calls relevant to them.
With some large companies taking many hours to account for all staff after 7/7, Virtual Roll Call is a highly desirable business continuity tool with a monthly subscription that is affordable even for the smallest organisation, says MobileSOS Commercial Director, Russell Ross-Smith. It can be used in emergency but also for everyday issues like warning of office disruptions, travel problems and even inviting staff to the Christmas party. It works on all networks, with all handsets, on company or personal mobiles and can save many hours of administrative work.
MobileSOS provides a personal security service that can be accessed via any mobile phone to get an urgent message to an individuals network of colleagues, family and friends. By using a pre-selected speed-dial number, the users pre-recorded message and location is sent out via voice, text and email, so that one or more nominated contacts can be made aware of the situation. MobileSOS services are used in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors and by organisations that include professional services companies, local councils, utilities firms and property professionals.