The communications function allows distribution of messages by email, text, fax, mobile app, voice broadcast, and/or voice response. Messages can be sent to key contacts and staff in any combination of individuals, organizational groups, and custom groups the user desires. Users can create templates for alerts or emergency notifications that can be used at a later date, and can send role based messages to different groups simultaneously in an emergency.  The system maintains a historical record of the communications that have been sent and received, providing an alternate method of retrieving messages during disasters

 

Alerts / Notifications

Whether used for emergency notifications, maintaining continuity of operations or daily organizational updates; staff members, vendors or the general public can subscribe to receive alerts and notifications, as well as other types of information or publications offered. This can include automated notices from the national weather service, based on the individual’s personal weather notice profile. The system automatically groups these subscribers as they register in the system. Additionally, customer data can be uploaded and 9-1-1 data can be used for reverse dialing any selected area within a jurisdiction.

 

Registration vs. Entry

The communications directory is created by connecting each record to the information source. Agencies or departments maintain department records by confirming their information is correct or by making needed changes during periodic update requests. Agencies can directly enter personnel records into the system, or staff, vendors and residents can self-register (opt-in) through a web link, reducing the amount of data entry required.  As with other functions, each person can be responsible for maintaining his or her own profile, which helps ensure data is always up to date while reducing keying errors and virtually eliminating duplicate keying of information. 

 

Sending Messages

Individual or customized messages in multiple languages can be sent at any time. Templates can be prepared in advance for standard announcements or potential emergencies.  Authorized users can send out messages to individuals or groups using specific criteria. Message recipients can be selected based on group membership, such as residents, managers, employees. Messages can be sent to everyone within a specific location using lat/long information, zip codes or by selecting an area from a map to include all residents within a designated area.

 

 Mobile Access

Authorized users can access the i-INFO Mobile Web-App from anywhere by using the web access link via their smart phone or other mobile devices.  This function allows mobile access to contact directories for individual communications, as well as access to the Mobile Mass Communications function, as a back-up for periods when Internet access is difficult. The mobile app helps ensure that registered information and robust tools are always at your fingertips.

 

System Integration

As part of an overall community solution, the communications functions are integrated to work with many of the other capabilities available in the overall system. This includes the contact directory, the resource registry, the event registry, the credential verification and badging functions, the donations management programs, the facility lockdown and responder access capability, and many other programs.