Here are a few tips to consider when evaluating notification systems:
- Understand Your Technology & Notification Needs – Reviewing and testing existing systems and processes helps crystallize notification needs and identify potential communication gaps.For example, activating a district-wide notification may be challenging if buildings are equipped with different systems. Notification software can help schools overcome this communication gap by connecting disparate systems together.
- Unite IP and Analog Systems – Advanced notification systems should be scalable to unite existing analog technology, like speakers and intercoms, into the IP network to streamline notification management and extend the life of legacy systems.
- Broadcast Quality Audio to Ensure Alerts Are Heard – Intelligible audio is critical when communicating information to speakers in noisy areas, like classrooms, gymnasiums, or hallways.
- Know Your Audience – Whether broadcasting daily announcements, paging faculty, or initiating a district lockdown, schools need a system that supports dynamic notifications for various situations.It’s also important to understand which communication mediums are most effective to reach your intended audience. For example – Activating a panic button to alert safety officers during a classroom emergency may require a more discrete communication process than broadcasting daily announcements across classroom speakers.Robust notification systems should be scalable to simultaneously alert devices such as:
- On-premise communication – IP phones and speakers, intercoms, analog devices, bells/beacons/strobes, desktop computers, panic buttons, and digital signage
- Off-premise communication – Mobile phones, SMS messages, IM clients, email, text-to-speech services, or social networks
- Automated Alerts Save Time and Resources – Automation increases safety and situational awareness by eliminating the need for a person to manually activate alerts. Automated alerts are especially beneficial during emergencies when every second can make a difference. Examples of automated notifications include:
- Scheduled Notifications – For routine communication, like daily announcements or school bells
- Automated Weather Alerts – Connect NOAA / NWS to receive automatic alerts for severe watches and warnings in your area
- CAP Alerts – Subscribe to County, State, or National CAP feeds for critical information
- One-Touch Activation – Connect panic buttons to automatically initiate emergency procedures for situations like lockdowns or building evacuations
- Email Monitoring – Alert personnel when incoming emails match specific filters, like email address or keywords