{"id":811,"date":"2019-04-15T19:33:07","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T19:33:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.besafe.net\/?p=811"},"modified":"2023-06-07T08:35:53","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T08:35:53","slug":"houston-schools-deploying-iot-enabled-building-safety-platform-to-improve-emergency-responses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.besafe.net\/news\/houston-schools-deploying-iot-enabled-building-safety-platform-to-improve-emergency-responses\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Schools Deploying IoT-Enabled Building Safety Platform to Improve Emergency Responses"},"content":{"rendered":"
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An Insight Enterprises safe-spaces point solution developed for BeSafe Technologies taps Microsoft Azure technology; provides accurate, real-time information to first responders<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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April 15, 2019 8:30 AM EDT<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
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TEMPE, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–The city of Houston will be the first to implement an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled platform called ActiveShield<\/a> that redefines public safety. Two Houston schools will pilot the IoT safe-spaces technology created by Insight Enterprises (NASDAQ: NSIT), which integrates with a building safety platform from BeSafe Technologies<\/a> to facilitate critical, real-time information sharing during a crisis.<\/p>\n

ActiveShield<\/a> leverages the power of\u00a0Safe Spaces developed by Insight<\/a>, part of a suite of customizable, end-to-end smart spaces solutions developed by the\u00a0Digital Innovation<\/a>\u00a0team at Insight, a Fortune 500 global systems integrator helping organizations of all sizes manage and transform their business. Insight\u2019s Safe Spaces solution addresses communication challenges during emergency events where public safety is threatened, running safety mechanisms like sound sensors and color-coded LED lighting through an IoT-enabled response system. The real-time information sharing clearly conveys the nature of an incident to first responders and people in the vicinity of the impacted area.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowledge is power, and our mission is to save lives by providing the right information to the right people at the right time,\u201d said Kevin Harrington, chief executive officer of BeSafe Technologies. \u201cWhat we see with Insight Safe Spaces is the ability to use IoT to build on our core capabilities to further improve public safety. This creates a communication hub that instantly connects on-site security with police, fire and other emergency responders, as well as building occupants.\u201d<\/p>\n

BeSafe, a provider of emergency response communication technology between school administrators and first responders, is working with Microsoft and the city of Houston to install the platform in two schools within the Aldine Independent School District (AISD)<\/a>. BeSafe already has equipped the schools with its core safety and security system, and the IoT-enabled ActiveShield will be implemented next.<\/p>\n

\u201cStudent and staff safety are a top priority. The partnership with the city of Houston and Microsoft will take our efforts to the next level,\u201d said AISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney. The district announced Friday that its application of the smart technology helped the city of Houston win the\u00a0Smart Buildings Award<\/a>\u00a0as part of the IDC Smart Cities North America Awards.<\/a><\/p>\n

While Insight\u2019s main focus for Safe Spaces is comprehensive, deeply integrated safety deployments, ActiveShield offers a cost-effective software-as-a-service solution for the broader market.<\/p>\n

BeSafe was founded in 1999 with the simple goal of helping keep schools safe for students and staff. Today, BeSafe\u2019s award-winning emergency response system distributes enhanced digital floorplans, points of entry\/exit, and emergency contact information to police, fire, SWAT and other emergency teams. This provides a comprehensive view for first responders who have limited knowledge of a given site to save precious time during decision making.<\/p>\n

The Safe Spaces solution from Insight integrates with BeSafe\u2019s ActiveShield to create an IoT platform that acts as the central hub for:<\/p>\n