A new lone worker safety product from Corps Security is available as an app for smartphones.
Corps Security has partnered with PanicGuard to launch CorpsGuard – a smartphone app. The new app can be used on Apple iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices as a way to protect lone workers.
CorpsGuard is activated by shaking or tapping the smartphone. This sends SMS, email, Facebook and Twitter messages, with an alert page, to designated emergency contacts โ which can also include the Corps Monitoring Centre (CMC) โ detailing a GPS location.
The alert page has a tracking data facility that displays a Google map of the userโs location, which is updated every 15 seconds so that emergency contacts can follow movements, before and after an incident. Once the CMC receives the alert, its operators will review the data to verify it and seek to contact the user to establish their situation. If there is no answer, or the evidence suggests a threat to life, local police will be informed.
Eric Roberts, Corps Securityโs CMC business development director, said: โThe three things that a person is likely to have on them at any one time are money, keys and their phone. CorpsGuardโs innovative features allow a range of measures to be initiated to attract immediate attention and make sure that appropriate people are notified in the event of an incident.โ
After the initial notification is sent simply shaking or tapping the phone again activates an audible alarm alongside a flashing strobe. If this fails to ward off an attacker, the device has already initiated automatic recording of video clips that can be used to identify an attacker; this can be used in a court of law. The audiovisual recording is uploaded to the userโs account via the cloud, so even if the attacker steals or damages the phone, the evidence is still accessible.
The ability to turn a phone into a safety device also negates the purchase and use of traditional personal alarms, the security firm adds.
Users can log into the CorpsGuard website to manage their accounts, update their profiles and and view all of their alerts. They can also diarise their activities so that colleagues, family and friends can find out where they will be at any time. For example, an estate agent, due to show a potential purchaser around a house, can arrange for a notification to be sent after the meeting is due to finish. If the alarm time needs to be extended a push of a button can postpone it in 15-minute intervals.
CorpsGuard can also be used with the CMC to provide 24-7 remote monitoring. Based in Glasgow the CMC has attained National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold accreditation and it complies with BS 8484, the British Standards for lone worker device management.
Corps Securityโs Eric Roberts, added: โCorpsGuard represents a step-change in personal safety provision and, with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and remote working both commonplace, it makes perfect sense to utilise mobile phone technology. Combining this app with the services offered by the CMC ensures that the potential for keeping people safe is fully maximised.โ
CorpsGuard will be available through Corps Securityโs installation partners.
For further information – ring Corps Security on 0800 0286 303 or email: [email protected].
