ALA introduces SMS alert system for emergency communications.
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Press Release Summary:
During LabAutomation2009 conference and exhibition, scheduled for Jan 24-28 at Palm Springs Convention Center, ALA will employ text messaging methodology to communicate to all conference participants in instances of emergency only. Attendees will have option to participate by adding their mobile telephone number during automated, online registration process.
Original Press Release:
ALA Introduces SMS Alert System for Emergency Communications
Initiative Enhances Protocol for Emergency Communications at LabAutomation2009
Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA, USA, January 24-28, 2009
CHICAGO - The Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) is pleased to announce it has
added the capability to quickly and decisively communicate in emergency situations with all participants at its annual conference and exhibition LabAutomation2009, January 24-28, Palm Springs Convention Center, Palm Springs, CA, USA, January 24-28.
Similar to its usage by most colleges and universities around the world, ALA will employ text messaging methodology to communicate to all conference participants in instances of emergency only. Short Message Service (SMS) is a communication protocol allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices. SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application on the planet, with 2.4 billion active users, or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers sending and receiving text messages on their phones. LabAutomation2009 participants will have the option to participate by adding their mobile telephone number during the automated, online registration process.
"We are trying to be proactive and prudent," said ALA President Jim Sterling, Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences, Claremont, CA. "We bring together approximately 5,000 people from some 45 countries to our event, and it is vital we be able to communicate with them at a moment's notice. This service now gives us the capability."
ALA employs an extensive emergency program in response to different scenarios such as
threatening weather, facility malfunctions and/or other unforeseen crises. The deployment and use of the SMS Alert System will be blended into the association's overall emergency communications plan.
For more information, contact ALA at +1.888.733.1ALA (1252).
The Association for Laboratory Automation (ALA) is a worldwide organization representing leaders in all aspects of laboratory automation. ALA seeks to provide a greater understanding of the importance and value of automation technologies in laboratory settings, to advance science and promote education related to laboratory automation by encouraging the study, advancing the science and improving the practice of laboratory automation.
