The ultra-marathon runner, Mark Allison also known as “Run Geordie Run”, will have a 3G enabled 9 Series Identicom lone worker device from Connexion2 as he attempts to run 2,600 miles across Australia in 70 days. The company, also a corporate sponsor of Run Geordie Run, makes the Identicom lone worker device and will be supplying one to assist Mark’s personal safety and communications on his challenge.
The 9 Series Identicom is the makers say the first 3G dedicated lone worker device of its kind on the market and is key says Connexion2’s to its lone worker solutions since its acquisition by Kings III of America in May.
3G connectivity gives peace of mind to users in areas where traditional GSM networks are limited in coverage. In Australia GSM coverage is typically good in coastal areas and around major cities, but sporadic or unconnected elsewhere. Given Mark’s route across the country, the Identicom will be deployed to give him the option to raise an alarm if required, besides to allow his progress to be mapped via GPS location updates and shared to his followers.
The device used by Mark will be linked to Connexion2’s recently updated Mobile Workforce Management Platform (MWMP) – a platform that uses location data through GPS to be accessed visually. The platform lets a manager –
•View a snapshot of their team of lone workers to understand who is currently lone working
•Create automatic reporting based around a worker checking in and out, over-speeding or when navigating between specified locations or geo-fenced areas etc
•Review images uploaded to the platform and tagged as a ‘Risk Item’
•Receive Business insights, worker messaging, live map alerts, lone worker device status info and Street View functionality.
Mark, a 42-year old from Newcastle upon Tyne, is undertaking the challenge to raise £50,000 for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Children’s Foundation. He will begin the run in Perth (WA) on October 16; and plans to finish in Sydney (NSW) on December 24. It will be his third challenge. In 2007 he ran from John O’Groats to Lands End, some 874 miles, raising £34,108 for St Benedict’s Hospice, which cared for his mother. Then in August 2011, Mark completed a 3,100-mile run from California to New York raising £105,000 for good causes. During his American challenge, Mark ran an average 31 miles a day and lost five stone (31kg) on the way. To complete his new challenge he will have to run an average 41 miles a day during the Australian summer through very difficult terrain including the infamously arid Nullarbor Plain – which is considered one of the most hostile places on Earth.
The 9 Series Identicom retains its ID badge product form and enables lone workers to assist in their dynamic risk assessment and discreetly raise an alarm through the ‘Red Alert’ if they feel their safety is compromised. It carries ACPO ‘Secured by Design’ accreditation and can be a integrated within a BS8484 approved, lone worker solution. The 9 Series Identicom offers a superb range of functionality and great versatility. The devices are also one or two-way audio configurable, allowing the Alarm Receiving Centre monitoring the alert, to communicate to the user.
The device range also features automatic ‘Man Down’ detection as standard – thus giving employees working remotely or in difficult environments the additional protection should a slip, fall or unknown health issue occur. During the challenge Connexion2’s Australian partner, GSS Combined Alarm Services, which markets Identicom through its SafeTCard Solutions brand, will monitor the Identicom units from its Monitoring Station located in Brisbane (QLD).
Craig Swallow, Managing Director of Connexion2 added: “We are delighted to be supporting Mark in such a worthwhile and extraordinary challenge. We wish him and his team all the very best and will be keenly watching his progress across Australia.”
And Mark Allison said: “I’m grateful to all the corporate sponsors supporting the Run Geordie Run Australia challenge this year – I couldn’t do it without them. Using Identicom will definitely give me peace of mind as I undertake such a huge journey.”
You can follow Mark’s progress updates by visiting: http://www.rungeordierun.com/
