Smartphone Applications

Posted on by lwsa-admin

A lone worker app can turn a phone into an emergency device or a check-in device. Some of the most comprehensive apps include an SOS button, GPS location, man down alerts and other safety monitoring alerts.

Here are some apps that could help you get started on lone worker monitoring and compliance.

This is not an exhaustive list, nor is it a best-of list of apps. It is meant for you to get started by trying out different apps, to learn more about lone working solutions, before your organization decides on a route.

Some of the best apps work primarily in conjunction with a robust back-end automated monitoring service, and may even just serve as a front-end interface to the services. Make sure to evaluate the solution as a whole for your organization, as many such services are also able to integrate phone systems and dedicated devices or satellite devices as well as just the smartphone app.

Potential Issues

Here are a few limitations that employers have to consider.

  1. A smartphone with a data connection (either cellular or wifi) is required. Some workers work in remote area where the receptions are week. In this case, the smartphone application would not work completely, as it would have trouble communicating back and forth with the monitoring centre. Check if the app service you are evaluating has an solution for out-of-cellular coverage.
  2. Battery life can also be an issue. Smartphones are used for many other purposes beyond just work alone, and such regular use may encourage battery drain. Check if the app service you are evaluating has protocols and fall-backs to account for battery life.

 

Suggestions

Smartphone app solutions can often times be the appropriate solution for many workers and workforces. They provide a viable alternative and/or compliment to dedicated device solutions. Ensure that you evaluate the needs of each of your workers and compare with the capabilities of each app solution. You may find an app solution suitable or you may need to choose a device solution for some or all of your workers; with the ideal solution being a system which could account for each.