National Academies users can contact first responders instantly, eliminating any lag in emergency calls.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Science and medicine organization optimizes collaboration and data center resources to support research goals.
Client context
The work begins with the operating reality.
Client
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is a prestigious collective of experts and scholars, providing independent advice to the United States government on matters related to science, technology, engineering, and health. Comprising three distinct branches, it serves as a vital resource for evidence-based recommendations and guidance in advancing knowledge and informing policy decisions.
EngagementScience and medicine organization optimizes collaboration and data center resources to support research goals.
IndustryEducation
SolutionsCollaboration, Data Center
The challenge
What had to change
The National Academies, spanning three buildings in the D.C./Northern Virginia area, deployed over 1,700 phones. To enhance their emergency call system’s precision, they sought a solution that would eliminate potential delays in routing 911 calls through building security desks, recognizing the critical importance of swift action in emergencies.
The BlueAlly solution
How the work came together
The National Academies telecom team sought improvement and chose the Cisco Emergency Responder (CER) System for its effective handling of multi-phone, multi-location scenarios in a VoIP environment. CER achieves key objectives: routing emergency calls to local PSAPs, alerting personnel via email and phone, maintaining call logs, and providing precise caller locations. BlueAlly, highly proficient in the implementation of Cisco solutions, was engaged for swift and effective deployment.
The results
What changed
The BlueAlly team were able to execute in only eight weeks a solution that typically requires three or four months. The team engaged in constant, clear dialogue with its client, and relied upon hard-earned experience in efficiently standing up CER solutions.
Outcome highlights
What the client gained.
Both responders and Academies personnel know the exact origin of emergency calls, eliminating delays and confusion.
The CER system ensures no dropped calls, and emergency dispatchers receive precise workstation-origin information.
The new system notifies security personnel immediately, allowing for proactive response before emergency services arrive.
Have a similar constraint?
We can start with the current state, the outcome, and the limits around time, risk, and budget.