International SOS and Control Risks have unveiled an online travel security tool, helping employers keep their people out of danger when travelling overseas, whether the danger arises from illness, accidents, political unrest or natural disasters.
A redesigned TravelTracker 6 enables clients to identify the location of their employees and communicate with them in time of need, wherever they are. Its features are a gateway to the services of International SOS and Control Risks who offer medical and travel security respectively.
The upgrade includes interactive visualisation, with more search and navigation features. The system has been tested by around 100 clients over the past year and is integrated with the International SOS Assistance App for mobile devices. A “check-in” button will be offered which will allow travellers to notify their office that they have arrived safely.
Other features:
– traveller ‘profiles’ overlayed graphically on a map provide more certainty in knowing who is where and if they need assistance.
– Interactive maps display the location of a medical or travel security event, helping businesses quickly track where travellers and employees are at all times.
– searches using personal, geographical, and trip data.
– notifications between employers and those on the ground – 24/7 – so companies and employees can make more informed decisions.
What they say
Rich Gallagher, Chief Digital Officer at International SOS said: “As global business opportunities evolve and shift to different parts of the world, risks also increase for employees and expatriates living, working, and travelling abroad. A decade ago, we brought the first travel tracking tool to market and have continued to refine the technology based on our innovations as well as customer feedback. With organisations sending people to more risky destinations, the need for clients to know their employees’ locations and itineraries is more important than ever. The right information is essential to making sound decisions, especially situations that need to be addressed quickly or in the event of a crisis. Every year, we provide our clients with the ability to track their 2.4m unique international travellers. TravelTracker 6 gives travellers, expatriates and managers all the support they need to conduct business safely and securely in any part of the world.”
Meanwhile International SOS and Control Risks in July provided real-time information to more than 2,800 registered expatriates, some with families, living and working in Egypt. Simultaneously, by using their online tracking tool (TravelTracker) the two companies made preparations to assist 1,224 other travellers from 98 clients scheduled to be in Egypt. The two firms have issued 48 Egypt alerts or updates by sent information to clients, making it available online or pushing it to the smartphone Assistance App. They also held a global webinar for more than 400 clients, alongside a briefing session on the ground in Cairo.
International SOS and Control Risks evacuated a number of university students and representatives using commercial air and secure ground transportation.
Aldric Ludescher, Security Manager for International SOS and Control Risks in the Middle East and North-East Africa, said: “Companies are trying to sift through the hype and rumour to get accurate information in order to make rapid decisions. Our ability to provide current situation overviews with verified ground-based information has been critical for our clients.
“By understanding potential problems and triggers for evacuation, we have enabled our clients to make the best decisions for their company and employees. Every situation is different and it is often better to have travellers remain in place than it is to evacuate them. In most cases, it comes down to whether they can continue their business operations whilst remaining safe.”
