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first published week of: 02/09/2015
DeLorme ... announced the availability of new enterprise plans and services that will make it easier for business and government customers to track, monitor and communicate with workers in remote locations using inReach personal satellite communicators
DeLorme’s inReach handheld devices provide interactive SOS alerting, GPS tracking and locating and two-way text messaging, anywhere on the face of the Earth through the global Iridium satellite network. When coupled with DeLorme’s enterprise portal, inReach satellite communicators provide an ideal solution for oil and gas, mining, forestry, utilities and telecommunications companies, as well as disaster relief, law enforcement, medical teams and government agencies with operations over wide areas beyond cellular coverage.
"Safety and security of workers in the field is an increasing concern," said Jim Skillings, vice president of commercial products for DeLorme. "Despite the growth in terrestrial wireless networks, there are still many open spaces that are off the grid. Our inReach satellite communicators provide a vital lifeline for workers wherever they go, and our enterprise plans provide a wealth of value-added features for companies and organizations with inReach users around the world."
Networking, Team Tracking and Two-Way Messaging Features
The DeLorme secure enterprise portal provides convenient centralized management and networking of deployed inReach devices. A DeLorme enterprise customer can track hundreds of inReach users simultaneously from multiple locations, organize groups of users, initiate or switch off remote tracking for any unit, adjust response intervals, ping device locations, communicate via two-way text messaging with inReach individuals or groups and record tracks, locations and messages. System admin can manage groups, customize user IDs and monitor data usage for each group or device. Encrypted messaging is also possible as an option. The inReach team-tracking feature allows users to view the locations and communicate directly with other users.
DeLorme also provides a convenient Web-based API tool for enterprise software developers, enabling each organization to customize the system for its specific needs.
inReach differs from other emergency satellite transmitters, in that it provides full two-way communication. When an SOS call is initiated from the inReach, the message goes through the Iridium satellites to an international search-and-rescue (SAR) coordination center. Within minutes the user gets a text message acknowledging the SOS message and asking for more information. This allows the SAR authorities to determine if it is an accidental false alert and to assess the nature of the emergency so they can respond with appropriate resources. Throughout the rescue process, the user and SAR responders can engage in continuous text messaging back and forth.