What Enterprises Need to Know About E911 Communications Systems

By: Jeffrey.Austin | Posted: 27th April 2012

The original 911 system was designed to meet much simpler needs. Originally, when telephone users still required the assistance of operators to place their calls, they could rely on the operator knowing their numbers and locations because when an operator receives a call, the telephone number calling in was located right above the line jack.

However, as telephone use developed, individuals dialing emergency numbers would need to give the emergency operators all of their information manually. The operator would not automatically know which number called or where the call came from.

This makes the original 911 system obsolete in cases of severe emergency when people are hurt or in danger. For instance, if an individual is the victim of a crime but cannot name his or her present location, it may take the emergency operator a while to trace the call, and in emergencies, time is of the essence.

For this reason, Enhanced 911, or E911, is crucial to modern telephone users. Individuals no longer need to know their exact locations to call for help. With E911, the emergency assistance operators can determine the exact coordinates of a caller, providing convenience and security for individuals who are lost or confused.

E911 for Businesses

Compliance in a business is an important aspect of ensuring ethical business practices and the safety of employees. In the event of an emergency in the workplace, business employees must have the benefit of complex communication systems that support E911 functions.

The ideal communication system will connect a business to all departments in large multi-story buildings through a comprehensive PBX vendor, allowing an employee on an upper floor to contact an employee on a lower floor through a private telephone network designed to meet the needs of enterprises.

Large campuses and businesses spanning across a multitude of different locations will also benefit from these communications systems. Developing one network through which numerous departments can communicate provides an extra safety measure while also remaining cost-effective. Voice-over internet protocol software, or VoIP for business can also help cut communications costs by providing digital communications options over the internet.

Why E911 is Crucial

E911 can help to enforce strict compliance standards for businesses. Compliance studies may find that all the internal departments of a business are disconnected either because of poor PBX vendors, ALI databases, or VoIP for business. This can cause many health and safety risks in cases of emergency when individuals require immediate assistance from those within the department, or even law enforcement.

In addition to causing health and safety risks, failing compliance studies can lead to operational, financial, and regulatory risks. If it does not meet compliance standards, an enterprise could lose its operations licenses and run the risk of further legal action.

Implementing communications systems that support E911, connected departments, and VoIP for business can help an enterprise to minimize safety and regulatory risks. Unwillingness to meet these compliance standards incites legal action, but compliance with the standards can help to minimize risk and loss of funds in the event of liabilities.

Cross Telecom, is dedicated to keeping employees and clients educated with the latest unified communications information available. By providing a complete portfolio of Voice, Data, IP Telephony, Wireless, CrossNet Maintenance and Support, Professional Services and Cross University, Cross has defined itself as a complete, end-to-end integrator of converged technologies nationwide. For award-winning customer service on Avaya Nortel telecommunication products and services, contact Cross Telecom to meet your VoIP for business needs at http://crosstelecom.com.


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Heather Preston. VoIP for business - Let us help you develop your end-to-end business communications plan. We are and Applications Consultants that work with you to meet the needs of your business requirements - Cross Telecom.
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Tags: multitude, business practices, emergencies, telephone network, time is of the essence, communication system, campuses, emergency numbers, emergency assistance, communication systems, ethical business, business employees