Communications platform Relay has launched a panic button feature available for the company’s Relay+ device. The panic button feature is an added security measure driven by companies complying with the growing number of state and local panic-button mandates promoting worker protections.
Relay’s push-to-talk, hockey-puck-sized device has cellular range two-way communication, GPS tracking and a cloud-connected dashboard.
“In the past year we witnessed a surge of interest in Relay+ as hotels looked to leverage technology to streamline operations,” said Barbara Sharnak, senior director brand and product marketing for Relay. “We’ve been experiencing a spike in demand for advanced communication solutions from the hospitality, food services and facilities management industries. Analysts are forecasting that mobile workers will account for nearly 60 percent of the total U.S. workforce by 2024. We are listening to the demand by rapidly developing voice-first technology that is made especially for this growing segment of the labor market.”
A recent Relay survey led by market research firm Upwave underscores the strong sentiment the hospitality industry feels towards implementing technology that offers more than one single purpose to streamline operations, including the use of a panic button feature. Among 250 hospitality leaders working in the hotel or facilities management areas, nearly 70 percent indicated they would prefer a panic button device that also offers two-way communication. More than 60 percent of the same respondents also specified they would be willing to spend more money on a solution that offers greater functionality than just a panic button feature.
Radisson Hotel Group recently selected Relay as a preferred vendor throughout its U.S. operations, which include Radisson Blu, Radisson Red, Radisson Collection, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, and Park Inn by Radisson, to provide both on-the-job worker safety protections and other communication connectivity for operational efficiency.
“We understand that hotel team members work around the clock and in locations of the hotel where they may find themselves alone,” said Kyle Loven, director of safety and security, Americas, Radisson Hotel Group. “It is our priority to provide both a safe environment and peace of mind for these employees. We selected Relay as a national preferred vendor to continue enhancing our safety measures while also complying with important local and state regulations.”