Airbus DS Communications Expands Flexibility and Reach for Emergency Notification with new VESTA® Communicator Functionality

Latest features include integrated ways to reach more people in an emergency, plus customized user roles for greater system security


BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Sept. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Airbus DS Communications, a leading critical communications technology provider, has expanded the capabilities of its VESTA® Communicator emergency notification solution. The new functionality offers users the ability to alert people through many new means in an emergency. Plus, additional features, such as custom user roles, increase system security and enhance employee accountability.

The VESTA Communicator solution is known for its interoperability with other key systems. This includes seamless integration of the VESTA Communicator solution with the Alertus Emergency Mass Notification System from Airbus DS Communications’ Technology Partner Alertus Technologies. Now, in addition to activating the VESTA Communicator modalities, users can also activate Alertus modalities from one screen. Whether pre-planned scenarios or those built-on-the-fly, users can contact individuals and teams by phone, text, email and social media and trigger alerts to fixed devices. These include networked computer desktops via the Alertus Desktop Notification, Alertus Alert Beacons®, Alertus mobile apps, fire control panels, digital signage, cable TV override, text-to-speech self-amplified speakers and high-power speaker arrays.

“In today’s increasingly mobile society, there’s been no one way to successfully alert all affected individuals of an emergency. Yet, the VESTA Communicator solution with the new Alertus module bridges the gap,” says Jeremy Smith, Airbus General Manager for Notification Services. “Our customers now have an expanded and faster way to help keep more people safe when time is of the essence.”

"With this new functionality, joint Airbus and Alertus customers will benefit from a bi-directional integration between their systems,” says Gary El-Gamil, Director of Software Engineering at Alertus Technologies. “This will allow organizations to use the most convenient method when initiating an alert, saving valuable seconds during an emergency."

The VESTA Communicator solution is a widely deployed, list-based platform for immediate, multi-modal notification of specific individuals, groups or teams. Government agencies at all levels, as well as corporate institutions for finance, insurance and healthcare, among others, all take advantage of this robust notification platform for their emergency and routine communications. The VESTA Communicator solution has proven to keep people connected through such tragic events as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Boston Marathon bombings and most recently, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Its integration with the Alertus Emergency Mass Notification System now allows users to notify people in their immediate areas, for whom they may not have contact information stored, such as visitors, customers, vendors and others.

UPMC Pinnacle, an Airbus customer for over 16 years, realizes the power of having as many means as possible to reach their people. “It is absolutely critical that we have the ability to communicate across our growing health system in a crisis. The Alertus technology ensures the consistency and timeliness of emergency notification messaging, helping our system respond quickly and appropriately,” states Terry Freed, Associate Vice President, IT Infrastructure & Operations, UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg, PA.

Another new feature is the addition of custom user roles, which allow system administrators to customize user permissions. They can now set the level of access of various system aspects for each user to better match his or her operational responsibilities. The result is heightened system security and greater employee accountability for streamlined operations.

Individuals interested in learning more can contact the company at 615.790.2882 or attend a live webinar on October 25. This presentation, hosted by Airbus, will demonstrate the robust capabilities of the VESTA Communicator solution, including the new Alertus module.

For more information on Airbus and its entire portfolio of critical communications solutions, visit www.Airbus-DSComm.com

Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of €67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe’s number one space enterprise and the world’s second largest space business. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

Airbus DS Communications (www.airbus-dscomm.com)

Airbus DS Communications, Inc. is a global leader and trusted source for mission-critical communications technologies. The VESTA® product suite provides Next Generation 9-1-1 call processing systems, land mobile radio solutions and emergency notification applications, creating smarter ways to keep all our communities safe. Airbus DS Communications was awarded the Frost and Sullivan's 2016 Best Practices Award as the NG9-1-1 Company of the Year. www.airbus-dscomm.com 

Media contacts

Flynn Nogueira
Airbus DS Communications, Director of Marketing
flynn.nogueira@Airbus-DSComm.com
+1 951.216.9699

Minh Le
DVL Seigenthaler
minh.le@dvlseigenthaler.com
+1 615.610.0310