Market study – Cloud-Based Smartphone Security Application
By John Stofer
Chief Executive Officer, Übertas Controls
~We invite the reader to comment on this app and contribute to this content.
Übertas recently completed Phase 1 of an engagement to perform the testing of a unique smartphone security application. The application feature sets appear to be far more extensive than anything currently on the market.
We were challenged to stress-test the hosting software and the various feature sets of the smartphone application under real-world conditions. We set-up users in several countries around the world, joining groups simultaneously and interacting with one another. The results were impressive. The interaction among the entire group was sub-second. Feature sets were tested successfully We tested the application on popular platforms: Apple iPhone and iPad/android smartphones and tablets as well as private and emergency radio systems. The application seamlessly operates on these various platforms simultaneously.
We are currently involved in Phase 2 of the project, which is to study the appeal of various feature sets to potential users. Preliminary target markets include:
Colleges & Universities – Campus Safety
Large companies with employees in several countries – Corporate Security
We will attempt to determine market acceptance, ease of use and price-point acceptance for the various feature sets in these markets.
Features of the various modules include, but are not limited to the following:
Users can be located anywhere in the world
Users can declare a need for assistance by pressing the ‘emergency’ button on their smartphone screen and be tracked using GPS until help arrives.
Users in the field confirm or indicate the location of emergencies (i.e., active shooters) to all users or responders, dynamically
All users have a Common Operating Picture (COP) on their smart devices, showing each user’s location and/or the location of emergency responders
Shows all users can communicate directly with department managers or one another via SMS text, email, voice calls and push-to-talk intercom. users movements and ‘right-now’ location
Users can communicate with one another with one button push-to-talk intercom feature; no need to look-up or dial individual telephone numbers
User icon information ‘bubbles’ contain pertinent user information such as photo, emergency contact information, blood type and any additional information imported on predetermined schedules from HR
Supports bi-directional communication between administration and user groups, group-to-group and even between individual users
Instantly determine the location of all users in case of a required evacuation
quick formation of any number of ad-hoc groups of users
white boarding of the COP in real-time by any/all authorized users
geo-fencing of an area to create alerts or activate the app
provides the transmitting of photos and videos from the field
The system is fully encrypted and uses several communication technologies
Location accuracy within 20 feet anywhere in the world
The application allows Administration to instantly create a list of every user’s current location, complete with latitude/longitude, street addresses and even display those locations, dynamically, on selectable map types.
The marketplace is rife with security applications for smartphones, each providing some measure of assistance for users in need of assistance. Some of these applications send the user’s location to a pre-determined group when the user initiates a call for help. A few contact a central alarm service. These applications are effective. Most of the apps offer limited features, free of charge, while the more feature-rich applications are available for a modest monthly subscription fee. The application under study allows the potential client to choose feature sets specific to their circumstance.
