Faster critical response with Unite wireless comms

Ascom launches integrated messaging system for customers in industry, to help manufacturing and process industries respond quicker, reduce production downtime and minimise risk

A new integrated messaging system has been launched by leading on-site wireless communications provider, Ascom Wireless Solutions, to help organisations in manufacturing, power and energy and process industries improve efficiency and minimise the problems associated with production disturbances and downtime.

Called Unite, the new messaging system will allow key staff in production, security, and health and safety roles respond more quickly and efficiently to time-critical information, regardless of their location.

"Quicker response times are absolutely essential in a large factory or plant, particularly in critical situations, like a chemical leak or an accident in a remote location," explains Patric Hogstrom, Head of the Industry Sector at Ascom.

" By speeding up communications, you can create a much more responsive organisation, which reacts swiftly to emergencies, preventing downtime and production losses and more importantly, reducing the risk to life and limb in potentially hazardous situations".

A specialist in on-site wireless communications for industry, with installations in more than 20,000 production plants across Europe and the US, Ascom has designed its Unite system to integrate a broad range of fixed and mobile communications technologies.

Messages can be sent and delivered across paging, messaging and alarm systems, as well as cordless phone systems, mobile networks and email > -> whatever it takes to reach the right person at the right time.

Interactive messaging functionality means that users can take immediate action when a message arrives by choosing from a range of automated responses.

In the event of a serious incident or technical failure for example, safety and production staff can get information about the location and other details of the event, like what areas of the plant are affected and any additional risks.

They can then quickly assess the situation and co-ordinate resources, such as setting up a conference call with senior management, outside specialists and the emergency services if necessary.

"But it's not just in emergencies that integrated communications matter," adds Patric Hogstrom.

"Production, safety and quality staff can use the Unite system to check or change the status of equipment and alarms at regular pre-defined intervals from anywhere in the plant, such as monitoring energy consumption or water flow, or controlling devices wirelessly, like restarting a pump or stopping a fan".

Unite automatically converts messages from any source, such as an alarm on a production line or security device, into the format required by the communications device the intended recipient is using, eg a cordless phone, pager or GSM phone.

The system also uses an address database to find the relevant contact details associated with that specific user or users, including email address, mobile and office phone numbers and pager IDs.

If there is no response within a given timeframe, Unite will try the other methods until contact is made.

If a message cannot be delivered to the intended recipient, it can be automatically re-routed to another member of staff, based on pre-defined rules.

The Unite messaging platform will be available from September 2004.

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