Next Generation "I Am OK" System Com 558 es Online to Help Potential Victims of Hurricane Rita and Other Disasters
"Katrina was an epiphany to me," stated Mr. Schwartz. "Perhaps it was the hugeness, the magnitude, the scale of the disaster. I had to do something."
Rovenet provides software for field workers to collect data on handheld devices such as Palm Computers or Pocket PC's. A supplier of systems for large corporations such as DHL Worldwide Express and others, Rovenet also offers "Portable Forms," a technology th 558 at can develop and deploy mobile applications very quickly, often in minutes.
"People collecting information when they are in the field, that's what we help companies do more effectively," continues Mr. Schwartz. "Responding to the cleanup and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and now likely now Hurricane Rita, they are massive field data collection projects, possibly the largest in history."
Rovenet, along with another Long Island software company, Invores Systems (www.invores.com), has begun integrating their products to meet one goal: help reduce the pain and suffering of disaster victims and their families. Their first combined system, I Am OK" is a revolutionary contact service to assist emergency relief workers in connecting displaced hurricane or other disaster victims with the families searching for them.
"The impetus for this system is thinking about what if it were my family completely displaced with no way to let our relatives know that we are OK in a crisis, " describes Debra Altschuler, Vice President of Invores Systems and mother of three children. "Imagine this scenario. A relief worker, really anyone - the system is that easy - carrying a handheld, walks through a crowded refugee shelter like the Astrodome foll 558 owing Hurricane Katrina. In a few moments the relief worker enters information about displaced families including names, address, and the telephone numbers of relatives or friends who might be searching for them along with a personalized message to those worried relatives. During the course of the day, this relief worker will speak with hundreds of families. This information is then communicated in two ways. First all of the collected data is sent to national listing services and databases. At the same time utilizing Invores' EXpress2.0 VoIP VoiceXML platform, individual telephone calls are placed to the worried friends and relatives, complete with personalized messages from the friends or loved ones they are so worried about."
The same system can also be accessed via the World Wide Web at www.portableforms.com/iamok.
Rovenet and Invores are making the "I Am OK" system available free of charge to relief organizations. The first agency that will be utilizing this technology is the National Next of Kin Registry (www.nokr.org) a proactive and currently an all completely volunteer organization that helps locate next of kin in urgent situations. 558
"'I Am OK' is a great addition to our services," states Roger Castro, Vice Chairman of NOKR and a community activist. "NOKR is all about providing emergency contact information (when needed) to families and loved ones all over our country. With this technology we will be more effective and efficient."
The "I Am OK" system is being supported by a donation of handheld computers from Palm, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of mobile system. Invores Systems, Inc. and Rovenet are donating their Portable Forms technology, the EXpress2.0 VoIP VoiceXML platform, additional custom software applications, technology support services, and VoIP internet telephony connectivity to this effort.
"This is all about people helping people, about being part of the community," said Altschuler. "Will this effort help our businesses? Maybe; but we'll worry about that later. Right now that's not our priority."
Special note to relief agencies and workers:
The version of this application that is available for mobile handheld computers or cellular data devices will allow you to collect the same information you see on the website from many families and then automatically place bulk calls at one time. Contact the Katrina Data Alliance team at 631-287-3270 to arrange receiving the systems that you will need.
Contacts:
Chuck Schwartz, President
Rovenet
+ 1 (631) 287-3270
www.rovenet.com
Invores Systems, Inc.
Debra Altschuler, Vice President
+ 1 (888) 817-1860
www.invores.com
Author Information
Chuck Schwartz
Rovenet
