VCU Recognized for New Benchmark in E911 Response with APCO Award
o VCU proactively provides safe environment for tens of thousands
o University implements RedSky E911 technology so emergency personnel can locate callers anywhere on campus
BALTIMORE, Aug. 6 / / - Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) received the 2007 Corporate Award for Leadership in 9-1-1 Locations Solutions (CALLS) today at the Opening General Session of The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International's 73rd Annual Conference and Exposition. APCO gives the CALLS Award annually to an enterprise deserving of recognition in 9-1-1 public safety.
"It is apparent (VCU has) the public's safety in mind and they have demonstrated their desire to protect the residents and visitors of their campus," APCO International President Wanda McCarley said.
Administrators at VCU in Richmond, VA, wanted to ensure a safe environment for its more than 50,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors on their large, complex campus, so they implemented E911 as a part of their new integrated Avaya IP Telephony communications system. The university selected RedSky's E911 Manager because it automatically captures location changes for all types of phones, updates downstream databases and notifies designated public safety officials, saving time and money.
"Tracking the location of IP phones is difficult, there is nothing to keep users from unplugging and traveling from one network port to another, says Bill Jones, ePhones Project Manager for VCU. "So we absolutely had to have a 911 solution that was very robust and reliable."
VCU also implemented RedSky's Emergency On-site Notification (EON) to alert the VCU Police Department the moment a 911 call is placed anywhere on campus. EON also provides them with a complete location record of a 911 caller via a PC screen pop with an audible alarm, text message, email or printer to speed emergency response.
After university administrators decided to incorporate E911 into the new communications infrastructure, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation mandating all organizations operating a PBX or multi-line telephone system to implement E911. Because of the forward thinking, Virginia Commonwealth University is compliant with that legislation.
"It was obvious from the beginning of our relationship that VCU was extremely committed to the safety of everyone on their campus," says Nick Maier, RedSky's Senior Vice President. "It's great when organizations like this get the recognition they deserve."
About RedSky
RedSky Technologies Inc. is the leading developer of E911 and other location information management solutions. The company helps large organizations of all types, including enterprises, government agencies, the military, schools, school districts and Voice over IP (VoIP) service providers, capture, manage and deliver the detailed location information necessary to provide effective 911 emergency response and other location-based services. More than 275 customers, including 50 Fortune 500(R) companies, use RedSky's E911 Manager to automate their E911 processes. Headquartered in Chicago, RedSky has partnerships with other leaders in the telecommunications and 911 industries to help shape 911 policy, leverage emerging technology and comply with evolving regulatory requirements. For more information on RedSky, visit www.redskye911.com/.
Source: RedSky Technologies Inc.
CONTACT: Dave Wallinga of RedSky, +1-312-829-8383, ext. 26, media@redskytech.com
Web site: http://www.redskye911.com/
