RapidSOS and Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure Partner to Equip 9-1-1 Centers with Accurate Location from Smartphone Callers
HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure and RapidSOS have partnered to provide public safety agencies that use Hexagon's Intergraph® Computer-Aided Dispatch (I/CAD) with accurate location and additional data from the RapidSOS NG911 Clearinghouse. Through this partnership, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) working with Hexagon will be able to harness data from the RapidSOS Clearinghouse — including accurate handset location from all smartphone location sensors.
Millions of smartphones and other connected devices transmit precise device-based hybrid location and additional data to the RapidSOS Clearinghouse when a 9-1-1 call or other request for emergency is made. Through the RapidSOS integration, I/CAD users will be able to query the RapidSOS Clearinghouse when a wireless call is received to retrieve supplementary location and additional data through NG9-1-1 delivery mechanisms. For the first time, PSAPs are able to fully leverage the capabilities of modern smartphones to aid in emergency response, without a need for the caller to use an app. The partnership will benefit U.S. agencies initially with plans to expand internationally later in the year.
"Obtaining accurate location from smartphone calls is critical for PSAPs and first responders," said Steven Marz, vice president of product management, Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure. "Through our partnership with RapidSOS, we can provide our computer-aided dispatch customers with a much-needed new capability that will improve the speed and accuracy of emergency response."
"We are thrilled to partner with Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure," said Michael Martin, CEO of RapidSOS. "This partnership will transform how 9-1-1 call takers respond to mobile callers, resulting in dramatically improved emergency outcomes for millions of emergencies nationwide, and ultimately globally."
A global leader in public safety and security, Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure helps protect 1 in 12 people worldwide. Hexagon's public safety and security solutions improve the quality, accuracy and availability of critical information, increasing performance and productivity, while reducing the total cost of ownership for mission-critical IT investments.
About Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure
Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure provides mission-critical and business-critical solutions to governments and service providers. A global leader, proven innovator and trusted partner, our software and industry expertise help improve the lives of millions of people through safer communities, better public services and more reliable infrastructure. Visit www.hexagonsafetyinfrastructure.com.
Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure is part of Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B; hexagon.com), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive productivity and quality across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.
About RapidSOS
RapidSOS is an advanced emergency technology company. Formed in 2012 and backed by some of the world's leading Silicon Valley technologists, RapidSOS is partnering with technology companies and the public safety community to provide transformative data in emergencies. RapidSOS is developing technology to predict and preempt emergencies before they occur, dynamically warn people in harm's way, and link data from any connected device directly to first responders in an emergency. RapidSOS was named "2016 Start-Up of the Year" by the Consumer Technology Association, a Top Innovation of 2015 by MIT News, and Top 3 Innovative World Technologies by SXSW.
Learn more at www.RapidSOS.com.
SOURCE Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure
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