Sielox CLASS Emergency Notification & Response Solution Proving Effective for Education Sector
CLASS, an acronym for Sielox CLASS Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System, is a unique software solution that dramatically improves emergency notification and response capabilities, saving time and potentially saving lives. Designed initially for the education market, CLASS is also proving to be a highly effective resource to issue alerts and best manage threatening situations on campuses and in large facilities across a range of markets.
“CLASS is the only emergency notification and response solution that can instantly initiate an alert condition, enable communications with first responders, and visually track and report status in real time on a room-by-room basis,” said Karen Evans, CEO and president, Sielox. “During emergency situations, CLASS greatly improves response accuracy and effectiveness, saving time and helping responders prioritize their actions.”
CLASS was purpose-designed to achieve three core objectives: deliver a comprehensive alert and response solution that is easy to install and implement; provide ease of use with minimal instruction; and be affordable to accommodate a wide range of budgets and vertical markets such as education that need the solution most.
CLASS provides vital emergency status details to responders so they can best manage events. Teachers, administrators or any designated initiator can issue an emergency alert to notify responders of conditions in real time while communicating status via one of five programmable color-coded alert levels. Occupants within the facility can then report status at their specific location enabling responders to view detailed facility maps with compiled room-by-room color-coded conditions that update in real time as the situation evolves. A chat feature enables two-way communications between occupants and first responders to exchange detailed information or instructions. CLASS can also issue messages with response instructions specific to each alert level via email or text, and override any PC on the network to ensure the highest visibility of alert status.
For some applications, QR codes can provide a fast and convenient way to identify a particular location, such as an outdoor regrouping point. In such installations, QR codes let occupants, emergency personnel or staffers easily and quickly report status conditions for specific locations without having to struggle to identify that location.
A browser-based application that functions across LAN, Wi-Fi, WAN or high-speed cellular service for maximum accessibility, CLASS is designed for stand-alone or integrated system operation. CLASS can integrate with any system or device with an IP address providing authorized responders with the additional ability to view live cameras, change access control permissions, lock doors, and more. CLASS also provides for event archiving, with chronological event sequences that can capture who/what/when/where information, providing an audit trail to support event re-creation and review if needed.
Because CLASS is an embedded appliance, there are no annual licensing fees – further contributing to the solution’s low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
CLASS’ extreme versatility can be utilized for a variety of applications and locations beyond the education market. For example, at large shopping malls, first responders can receive information and maps pinpointing the exact location and type of an event – letting them get there faster. In high-rise office buildings, CLASS can aid evacuation during emergencies and provide information about the safety of various parts of the building as events unfold.
“Users are actually identifying new applications for CLASS based on their specific needs,” said Evans. “Our integrator partners are also using CLASS as new business development tool as it provides a unique and practical solution to a widespread challenge.”