Are you searching for emergency mass notification software? Perhaps your enterprise is installing emergency mass notification software for the first time, or perhaps you’re replacing the emergency mass notification software you currently have in place. Either way, finding the right emergency mass notification software for your needs is both important and difficult.
Since we’re in the age of communication, the sky is the limit as far as what a mass alert system can offer you. However, some emergency notification system vendors take common features and slap fancy names on them, leading you to believe the additional cost is worth it because of “added” functionality that you really could get with any alert system. For this reason, when you are researching emergency notification systems, you should start by determining the needs you actually have (so that you aren’t upsold on features that you don’t need to pay for) and then understand the exact functionality of those requirements, by whatever name the vendor gives it. This will enable you to make a clear, apples-to-apples comparison.
To help you make the best choice for your new emergency notification system, we’ve put together a how-to guide:
Four Things to Keep in Mind When Comparing Emergency Notification Systems
- Take account of your requirements.
As we mentioned, it’s easy to get caught up in the shopping hooplah and walk away with more than you need (and a bill that matches it). Ask yourself the following questions:- How often you anticipate needing to use your mass communication system?
- How many people will need to receive your alerts?
- What form of communication is necessary for you to have available in the case of an emergency? Does a text message alert get the job done, or is it necessary to have a two way communication system?
When you understand these requirements, you’re better equipped to find the system that isn’t too big, and isn’t too small, but just right. (Yes, we just hijacked the theme of Goldilocks and the Three Bears for this point)
- Review analyst reports.
Each emergency notification system vendor is going to work to show you how their product best meets your needs. That’s just called good business. Since they’re experts in their product and you are not, it might be easy to be misguided if you are only comparing services presented by the vendor themselves.
Alternatively, if you use analyst reports to choose between vendors, you get an unbiased review of services from an expert in the industry. When you review analyst reports, make sure that you start by narrowing down the reviews to the requirements that you actually have. A product might get an excellent analyst review, because of features that you have no use for. Seek the features you need, and then compare analyst reviews. - Take advantage of good ol’ word of mouth.
What better way to identify the best emergency notification system for your business, than using a system that is successful for other businesses in your industry? Before deciding on a vendor to go with, ask around and get reviews from other businesses in your field. Make sure to ask for both the good and the bad aspects of a system, to get a complete idea of what it would be like if your business used it. - Don’t try to reinvent the wheel.
Here’s an insider’s tip: every large, Fortune 500 company who uses a mass communication system has devoted significant resources to vetting and choosing the right system. Your business might not have the resources to do that yourself, but you can take cues from the big dogs. When you’ve narrowed down your search to a few good providers, ask them what large clients they have. If they provide mass notification software to any large enterprises, you should consider it a good sign.
Additionally, if you use a niche, independent provider who doesn’t have many clients, you run the risk of them closing up shop and leaving you back at square one. The more established a provider is in the industry, the more likely they’ll be around to provide you stable service for the long run.
Do you have any other questions or advice for finding a mass communication system? Please share it in the comment section below!