If you’ve browsed our public safety software solutions, you may have come across something called the KEANS service. Standing for KOVA Emergency Alert System, KEANS is installed in some of the nation’s largest airports, providing a much-needed layer of airport security for everyone in the location, from personnel to travelers.
But what does KEANS do? Below, you’ll find answers to some of the questions we often hear from customers about how KEANS works.
KEANS is designed to alert multiple security agencies as well as internal departments all at once in the event of a security threat. A communication is played repeatedly over loudspeakers or a public address system, alerting Police, Fire, Homeland Security, the Coast Guard, and other agencies, allowing them to respond before a formal request is made. You can decide who needs to be alerted—maybe that’s a business partner or second location, in addition to security agencies.
This early warning means more time to assess the threat and respond accordingly, which could save lives.
Yes. KEANS systems are fully customizable, so you can decide which features you need for your communications protocol. Some of those features include:
Because KEANS is fully customizable, KOVA representatives can design a version of KEANS that fits your needs—including the need to integrate with an existing system. The systems we design also allow for upgrades and changes as the technology evolves. This versatility is vital in the public safety realm, when resources, security, and lives are in the balance.
KOVA can do this as well. Building a system from the ground up entails different challenges than adding to an existing system, and we’re versed in all of them. We start with the most basic questions and work up from there.
Absolutely. A public safety notification system is of no use if it can’t be relied up on to do its job in an emergency. That’s why our system relies on dedicated circuitry like T-1s, LAN/VLANS and ring-down lines.
This eliminates the possibility of failure that can come from an overwhelmed wireless network or PSTNs (Public Switched Telephone Networks).
The automated testing feature is another important reliability feature, as personnel can be sure that their system is working as it’s supposed to on a regular or on-demand basis.
Yes. KEANS features a dashboard display that monitors each communications channel: public address systems, fixed endpoints, and the dedicated circuits that KEANS runs on. The display is easy to read, allowing personnel to quickly see any communications failures or abnormalities in the system.
KOVA can customize the KEANS system to fit not only your communication needs, but your budget as well. And since the system can be upgraded and added to throughout its lifecycle, you can add or upgrade features as your budget allows over time.
With KEANS in place, security teams at airports and other sensitive locations can know that they’ve got the best public safety communications system available. In the event of an emergency, KEANS could help save time, resources, and most importantly, lives. Would you like to discuss how KEANS could help your location? Contact KOVA by email or call us at 800-204-5200.
