FEATURE
They can use their mobile phone quickly to get details of the situation, assess its impact and respond appropriately to support those affected and contact senior executives.” As Ian points out, the ability to communicate quickly with travelers is especially important. “In a crisis, when communication networks are severely degraded, text messaging can be the way of contacting affected employees. With TravelTracker Mobile this is possible from anywhere.” International SOS expects even broader usage of TravelTracker as a result, with its importance to companies again demonstrated during the ash cloud disruption earlier this year.
Mobile membership Ian points out that while companies are ultimately responsible for their employees, individuals need to take responsibility for their own safety. Enabling them to do just that is another major product development by International SOS – its new Membership App for the BlackBerry®
. This gives business travelers an
electronic copy of their International SOS membership card and a one-click dial to their nearest alarm center when they need help. The App also gives them easy access to current medical and security updates in their location, current Special Advisories from anywhere in the world and the latest updates worldwide so they can stay informed on the go wherever they are. “We’re completing the initial testing phase and
and iPad™ is now in development and will be available in the second release of the App.”
preparing for a phased customer roll-out in early 2011. The first version of the App is for the BlackBerry® because it’s still the smartphone of choice for most corporations”, explains Ian. “A version for the iPhone® iPod®
Location aware Through trials of the App with some of International SOS’ major clients, the benefits have been clear. “Our client, a global security director, turns on his BlackBerry®
before breakfast and immediately
sees all relevant travel alerts from around the world so he can read through them over this coffee”, comments Ian. “He sleeps better at night because all an employee has to do is press a button. It’s about being able to fulfill duty of care even more effectively and efficiently.” In fact the Membership App has been so successful that one client is changing the default assistance number from their internal operations center to the relevant International SOS alarm center. What makes the Membership App particularly powerful is that it’s location aware. “That means it delivers information based on the location of the individual traveler – for example delivering all the security and medical alerts that are relevant to where they are”, explains Ian.
14 Hotline Silver Edition, 2010
Real-time information Location-based services are now a buzzword in the mobile technology marketplace, though originally mandated by governments requiring mobile operators to provide location data with fairly detailed accuracy for emergency purposes. Today location information has become a huge marketing tool and consumer applications include location-targeted advertising, social networking, and travel planner services.
Membership App particularly powerful is that it’s location aware
“ What makes the ” Membership App
What is it? A downloadable App for BlackBerry®
devices.
Key benefits ✔ Provides an electronic copy of their membership card and a one-click dial to the member’s nearest alarm center, giving them quicker access to help in an emergency.
✔ Easy access to current medical and security advice and updates in their location, current Special Advisories and latest updates worldwide.
When is it available? Available to clients with International SOS Comprehensive Membership from early 2011.
For more information, contact your International SOS Account Manager.
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