Technology

PT2: Targeted Messaging Solution

Complete Infrastructure

Emergency events can often result in a loss of functionality to key infrastructure. Purple Tree Technologies offers a solution that provides a complete, closed and self contained infrastructure.

As a result, our system does not require the following to create, broadcast and receive messaging:

  • LAN/computer network access
  • Telephone access
  • Cellular network access

Instant Message Delivery

When an event occurs, delivering immediate and direct communication is a critical part of disaster planning.

The ability to deliver SMS text messages to key personnel, first responders, or to large bodies of people for non-time sensitive messaging has great value but it cannot be used to effectively alert large numbers of people immediately.

The Purple Tree Technologies PT2 has been tested and proven to deliver messages across a several mile area in seconds.

Geospecific Targeting

When an event occurs, it doesn’t always impact the entire campus. And when it does, unique instructions or messaging might be relevant to different portions of the area.  An emergency messaging solution should allow for the flexibility of targeting messaging to geospecific locations.

With our PT2 Messaging Workstation, specific areas and groups can be targeted with unique messaging if required.

Reliability of Delivery

Solutions that rely on existing infrastructure cannot guarantee message delivery.  In addition, users become desensitized to the importance of an emergency message when it is delivered over an existing medium. For example, many students place their mobile phones on silent when attending a lecture. As a result, the student might not be aware that a critical message has been delivered to their mobile device. Finally, with the addition of every additional infrastructure element, security issues become more challenging to overcome.

The PT2 System provides redundant broadcast points and a wide range of display options.

User Registration Requirements

By nature, college campuses have a very high level of turnover as the student population changes. In addition, visitors to the campus are a common occurrence while normal staff attrition also takes place. As other Colleges and Universities have found, it can be very difficult to get students, staff and faculty to sign up for emergency alert systems that require their personal contact information to be stored on a server that is accessible via the internet. Our solution does not maintain or require any user information.

The PT2 System does not require user registration and management.

Message Display Options

When an important event occurs, it is important to reach recipients with a range of display options. Purple Tree Technologies allows for a wide range of methods to display messaging:

Purple Tree Message Point of Display (POD) Units
Purple Tree Technologies manufactures the POD, a desktop or wall mounted display unit for message presentation. In addition, these units also provide a stoplight configuration for the message severity level and an audible alarm when an alert is received.

Ticker Displays
The POD units include an output connector for commercially available scrolling ticker displays.

Purple Tree eFob
Purple Tree Technologies has invented a patent pending device that allows any individual such as a student or faculty member to have a personal emergency alerting device. This device is keychain sized with the following features:

Alert Level Options: Using a familiar and universal stoplight configuration, our eFob device allows messages with different levels of importance to be delivered.

Audible Alarm and Vibration: The device emits an audible alert and physical vibration when the message is received.

Message Display: The eFob display allows the recipient to read the broadcasted message on a scrolling display in a large, clear font.

 

Message Center Software

PT2 is equipped with unique software installed on a workstation that is located in a central area such as a security office, and functions as the control station for the system (See video in the Media Center). The system is fully encrypted, and is capable of reaching a nearly unlimited number of recipients wirelessly and within seconds via a unique repeater system. The software can also be installed on a mobile workstation to facilitate communications during certain catastrophes. Each system can be adapted to the unique needs of the facility with the assistance of Purple Tree Technologies engineers.

Network Repeaters

Devices known as repeaters are strategically placed throughout each facility or campus to provide the needed coverage area for messaging. The network includes a battery backup to provide functionality during a power failure. The network is not dependent the internet, phone lines, or cellular systems and are thus immune to system overloads that can affect those systems. Messages are transmitted within seconds throughout the facility to all receiver units.

Message Specific

The POD and eFob receivers are capable of receiving sequential messages to direct users to take appropriate actions given by security during an event. For instance, during a catastrophic event such as a fire, tornado, hurricane, etc. security or designated personnel at a facility would send an emergency alert message to the receiving devices such as TORNADO WARNING - TAKE COVER IMMEDIATELY. Additional messages can sent to keep the end users up to date on the status of the event.