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Mvix CAP-compliant digital signage software unifies emergency messaging

April 29, 2016

Mvix, a manufacturer of cloud-based digital signage solutions, announced that its emergency messaging solution is fully Common Alerting Protocol-compliant, with the ability to receive CAP alerts. The CAP is a simple but general format for exchanging all-hazard emergency alerts and public warnings over all kinds of networks, according to a company press release.

CAP enables a consistent warning message to be disseminated simultaneously over many different warning systems, increasing warning effectiveness while simplifying the warning task.

"Institutions cannot afford to have an emergency notification system that takes minutes to verify an emergency, create a message, seek approval and send the alert," said A. Jay, senior director of business relations for Mvix. "Our CAP compliant emergency messaging solution eliminates these tasks and saves time, which streamlines emergency communications."

In an organization with multiple emergency notification systems, such as a school campus, CAP simplifies the notification process. Most mass notification systems are proprietary and may not work together, which can lead to a delay in the delivery of emergency messages, the release stated. For example, it can take Florida State University 13 to 20 minutes to activate all of its 27 systems.

CAP solves this time challenge by using a common language or format that all CAP-compliant systems are capable of understanding. Once the CAP alert is received, it is automatically disseminated to multiple emergency alert systems, including digital signage, outdoor warning sirens, indoor warning sirens, SMS text messaging, emails, strobe lights, and social media.