Using your MNS to Maintain Business Continuity Amid a Pandemic
By Stephanie Osorno, Marketing Copywriter at Alertus Technologies
As more and more employees prepare to work from home amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many organizations are left wondering how they can successfully maintain business continuity in a primary remote environment.
The good news is that the evolution of Mass Notification System (MNS) technology has improved the ways that an organization can communicate, even while working remotely.
Here’s how you can leverage your MNS to minimize business disruption during a chaotic and confusing time.
Communicate Quickly and Efficiently
For emergencies and internal communications, dispatchers can use a comprehensive and reliable MNS like the Alertus System to send an instant, single-point of activation alert to every available communication channel within the organization such as digital signage, fire alarm panels, speakers, or VoIP phones.
And while this is helpful for employees who are in the office, the advances in MNS technology also allow employees who are working remotely to receive push notifications through their laptops or the Alertus Activator App and the Alertus Recipient App within a matter of seconds. This will help to ensure that you’re keeping everyone informed and up to date with relevant cautions, emergency procedures, office closures, work from home policies and protocols, and more.
The mobile app can be especially useful for colleges and universities that are looking to keep their student community updated while they are away from campus and not checking email on a regular basis.
Increase Redundancy
Don’t just rely on mass emails or SMS/TXT messages to communicate time-sensitive information with your employees. Keep in mind that during a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic when cellular network usage has spiked across the globe and Internet disruptions are likely to occur, it’s crucial to have alternative methods of communication. According to Cloudfare, Internet usage in Seattle—one of the first U.S. cities to be struck with the virus—has gone up 40% in the past week.
With a multilayered and integrated MNS, you can send several redundant messages through emails, a mobile device, and laptop/desktop push notifications, to help reduce communication failure. It’s also a great way to heighten awareness and urgency more quickly.
Share Preventative Tips
Are you providing your staff, faculty, students, etc. with the resources and information they need to educate themselves on the COVID-19 virus? This is the time to take full advantage of the capabilities and features that your MNS offers by using it as both a communication and educational platform.
Alertus Desktop Notification allows organizations to quickly notify all or select personnel in the event of an emergency, or for non-emergency communications, using full-screen or partial-screen computer desktop pop-ups. The desktop notification solution also provides a less intrusive ticker alert that can deliver critical, yet non-emergency messages, such as COVID-19 preventative tips.
Reduce Panic and Maintain Productivity
The COVID-19 pandemic has understandably sparked an abundance of fear and uncertainty within many Americans. That’s why it’s more important than ever to use your MNS to regularly and effectively communicate with your employees—both in and out of office.
Even though your organization might not have all the answers that employees are seeking, keeping everyone informed, educated, and up to date can help maintain productivity and minimize business disruption as best as possible during a difficult and unusual circumstance.
For useful tools and information on the Alertus System, be sure to visit our Alertus Resources page.
You can also learn how Alertus is supporting its employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic here.