SKYGUARD SHOWCASES WORLD FIRST AT IFSEC INTERNATIONAL 2012
Embracing the international theme of the event, Skyguard has announced it will showcase the world’s first and only international emergency response service at IFSEC International 2012, held at Birmingham’s NEC in May.
Skyguard’s International service gives Lone Workers the power to summon help at the touch of a button if they find themselves in trouble overseas. The service currently covers 36 countries across Europe, the Russian Federation and South Africa.
Travellers can activate the emergency service using a key-fob sized device developed by Skyguard, called MySOS. The MySOS is Europe’s smallest and lightest GPS safety alarm, and can be discreetly attached to keys, a belt, worn on a lanyard, or as an ID badge holder. Skyguard’s service also runs as an app on a BlackBerry, with the handset’s convenience side key acting as the alarm button.
Alarms containing the user’s location and identity go directly to Skyguard’s Incident Management Centre in the UK, where trained controllers can listen in, talk if it’s safe to do so and co-ordinate a timely response by summoning the national emergency services of the country in question, and contacting the victim’s relatives or employers. Skyguard customers can provide detailed personal information through an online portal, such as medical conditions, medications taken and even a photo, which can be passed to the emergency services, often proving live-saving.
Skyguard, which launched in 2000, offers a similar service nationally in the UK, used by thousands of individuals and companies, and more than half of the UK’s police forces to protect the most vulnerable in society.
Said James Murray, chief executive of Skyguard: “We believe we’ve created the ultimate peace of mind solution for travellers.
“I travel frequently, often with my family, to countries where I’m not familiar with the language or destination. I wondered what I would do if we ended up in a difficult situation that required immediate emergency assistance. That’s why we developed Skyguard International – to give travellers peace of mind, knowing their location is exactly pinpointed and they can communicate immediately in English.
“After years of successfully managing hundreds of life-threatening situations affecting individuals at risk in the UK, we’re proud to be the first company in the world to offer an overseas service with this level of coverage. “
Skyguard will be a key exhibitor in IFSEC International’s all-new ‘Lone Worker Protection Product Area’ and presenting a seminar at the Lone Worker Education Theatre. Throughout the course of the show, visitors will be able see demonstrations on Skyguard’s range of Lone Worker solutions, at stand F30 in Hall 3A.
