Enterprise Messaging Solutions Should Enable Mobile First, Safety First Communication

Mobile-first communication is foundational to enterprise operations today as organizations optimize workflows for the mobile, digital workplace. In this era of mobility, enterprises are increasingly investing in technology and systems that connect a distributed workforce and improve the effectiveness of communication and collaboration.

While digital communication and collaboration tools are essential for keeping the mobile workforce connected and productive, they can also play a key role in enhancing mobile workforce safety.

According to IDC, “the U.S. mobile worker population will grow at a steady rate over the next four years, increasing from 78.5 million in 2020 to 93.5 million mobile workers in 2024. By the end of the forecast period, IDC expects mobile workers will account for nearly 60% of the total U.S. workforce.”

As employees become increasingly distributed, digital communication is essential for agile daily operations and critical in times of crisis.

With employees preferring to use their smartphones for work – 56% of employees use their smartphone at work according to a Mobile Ecosystem Forum report – enterprises need the capability to reach employees and keep them informed and connected in emergency situations.

Never was this clearer than during the COVID-19 health emergency which demonstrated the importance of providing reliable communication and information notifications to help ensure employee safety. Moving forward, enterprises need to be prepared to powerfully amplify communication in all types of emergencies including building fires, natural disasters and more.

An emergency alert system feature built into messaging platforms can help enterprises disseminate vital information.

NetSfere’s recently introduced NetSfere Lifeline™ allows organizations to send high priority, critical messaging for targeted teams or an entire distributed organization. With this feature administrators can create broadcast channels for the entire organization or designate specific teams or departments to send targeted information. When a message is received, it is clearly designated as an “Emergency” channel, with a full screen notification as well as audible alert tones that require user attention and acknowledgement. Messages can include text, images or locations, ensuring that all essential information can be shared.

Commenting on the introduction of NetSfere Lifeline™ in a recent press release, Raúl Castanon-Martinez, Senior Analyst for Workforce Collaboration at 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence division said, “…this offering should be seriously considered when evaluating collaboration tools, as a feature like this will be something you either wish you had or are grateful you signed on for in times of crisis.”

In moments of crisis, communication is key to keeping employees up to date in what can often be stressful and chaotic situations. The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) noted that “in an emergency, information is as critical to people as food and water.”

Communication is vital to the health of the enterprise and it can be vital to the safety of employees. NetSfere’s secure, compliant next-generation messaging and mobility solutions are architected to make communication seamless and instantaneous for agile daily operations and effective emergency communication.