Lose Your Job Now: 5 Tips to Get to Severance Heaven

You've schemed, you've scammed, you've plotted, but the elusive layoff has evaded you for the last time. Your desire to go to that spacious severance-package-in-the-sky needs to be fulfilled without further ado. How will you get upper management to see how pointless your position really is? Follow these five tips and soon you'll be packing your pictures.

1. Work in customer service.

Between voice-response systems, outsourcing to other countries, and form emails, who needs to talk to a person? See Exhibit A:

"Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your feedback. At this time we are unable to . We highly value you as a customer and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We hope you will consider NeverDoingBusinessWithYouAgain, Inc. in the future.
Sincerely,
Generic Jenny"

With quality responses such as these, who needs to talk to a customer service agent?

2. Apply for middle management.

In the pyramid-scheme of employment, middle management is the most superfluous. You're the guy whose job it is to make sure that other employees are doing their jobs. If you work for a micro-manager, your boss isn't only making sure that you're doing your job; he's also making sure that your employees are doing their jobs. If your industry is in a slump, has put a freeze on hiring, and employee numbers are eroding due to attrition, why have 10 people managing 250 employees when previously they were managing 300? Is $60,000/year, benefits, paid vacation, and personal time really worth an increase of 0.002% in productivity? If you can do the math, so can upper management. Submit that e-application immediately.

3. Work in the telecommunications industry.

Between cell phones, cable internet, VoIP, and mergers, the telecommunications industry is all but dead. Countless individuals been talked into keeping a landline by their telephone company "just in case" their cell phone goes dead. These consumers will soon realize that their cell phones almost never go dead, and, if they do, they can always port to a different company with better coverage areas. With "naked DSL" (DSL service that does not require a landline) becoming available in more and more areas, landlines will soon be a distant memory. And the phone number the customers have had a cozy, intimate relationship with for the past 25 years? These landline numbers can be ported to cell phones, too! The heat of the home phone has fizzled.

4. Work somewhere for a long time. Remind people of this. Constantly.

Sure, there's a learning curve for every job, but somewhere between years one and two you'll hit that proficiency peak. After this point, you need something else, like incalculable business relationships or unique knowledge, to keep you afloat. If you don't have these, don't seek them. If you do, downplay these assets. Upper management will begin to wonder whether your 10 years of experience is really worth all the extra pay.

5. Work somewhere with a disproportionately high sign-on bonus.

If you're Larry Page or Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, or an actuary with dueling master's degrees in Actuarial Science and Mathematics, you deserve a hefty sign-on bonus. If you're flipping burgers at McDonald's or telemarketing at Geico, you don't. When a company with a "high school diploma preferred, but not required" policy is offering a sign-on bonus, it's because they're desperate for help during an uncharacteristically busy season. These companies are hoping that attrition will conveniently dispose
of these extra employees when customer volumes return to normal. If this doesn't happen, you're looking at your coveted cash cow of unemployment when they drop the axe.

The Cost Of Talking

With so many companies offering “the lowest call rates, and the best service" who do you believe and are there any additional costs hidden in the small print? Do they all give per second billing by email, full cost analysis, discounted BT line rental and personal account managers? On mobiles do they offer free connection, and line rentals from £4?

There has never been a better time to review the cost of your telephone charges and the service you are getting. Does it really match your company’s needs? The telephone has been with us for so long we just take it for granted, along with all the services available. Mobile phones too are an essential tool in our need to communicate.

We never give a thought to the length or cost of a call, it’s just another bill that arrives at the end of the month.

Yet how many of us look at the cost of this communication? So it is important to know you are on the best tariff and your provider keeps it that way as well as giving you first class service.

Can you think of a friend or colleague who doesn’t have a mobile phone?. There are now more mobile devices in the UK than there are users. You can now make video calls on your mobile watch TV & play games. Mobile phones are fashion statements too. You can flip, slide, swivel,& twist. plus with so many options how do you know which company, tariff, or phone is the right one to go for? And where is the business benefit from so much choice?

Can your current provider offer you VoIP? (Voice over internet protocol) a type of software and hardware allowing you to use the internet to transmit your calls and save a fortune in line rentals by reducing the amount of lines you need. Can they provide a full VoIP telephone system or a simple converter for your ordinary analogue telephone?

When was the last time you checked if you are really getting value for money with rates generally falling ?

Perhaps the question to ask is what does my business actually need from all it’s phones, both fixed and mobile?

If you need low rates, consolidated services and reliability, then these are probably the same reasons you need to speak to your telecoms provider.

Vonage Shorts Out, Under Armour Has Lofty Ambitions

Under Armour, Inc. (UAI) debuted on November 18, 2005 at $31. The maker of branded performance clothing is growing its brand recognition via the use of hip brand promotion that is trying to wrestle away interest from the traditional buyers of Nike (NKE).

Under Armour has targeted the youth and athletic market where it competing with the established and strong Nike brand. Under Armour has a projected five-year annual earnings growth of 22.50% versus 14% for Nike. But on the valuation side, Under Armour is discounting in significant premium growth over that of Nike. Under Armour is trading at 46.19x its FY07 and a PEG of 2.75 versus 14.27x and a PEG of 1.06 for Nike. Clearly, Under Armour will need to perform to its lofty expectations going forward; otherwise, the stock will sell off. Nike is a superior value play.

Vonage Holdings Corp. (NYSE/VG) debuted on Wednesday at $17, the mid-point of its estimated IPO pricing range of $16-$18. The provider of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is an early entrant into the rapidly growing area of VoIP and presently has about 1.6 million subscribers but the company has yet to turn a profit. VoIP uses a broadband connection to make phone calls.

High advertising costs to acquire customers have hindered margins. Vonage is the current leader due to its early entry into the VoIP business but I see the company facing a difficult uphill climb as intense competition surfaces from major cable companies and the Skype service from eBay (EBAY).

The reality is Vonage has to spend extraordinary money on acquiring customers whereas for cable companies and eBay, there is already a significant customer base to market to. Vonage will soon realize this.

Hedge fund manager and the host of the hugely popular ‘Mad Money’ show on CNBC said Vonage is a “piece of junk,” which I have to concur with. And with Vonage currently trading down at $13, the market may also view Vonage as over hype and not enough substance.

Port Forwarding (what is port forwarding)

What is Port Forwarding

The term Port Forwarding is referred to the technique of forwarding a network port from one particular machine to another machine. This technique is usually applied when the receiving machine is behind a network router. By doing this, it enables users from outside the LAN (local area network) to reach a private user in the LAN itself. Now every machine on the internet has at least one IP address which is used to identify that particular machine or device. Every IP address is divided into many ports. The ports are there for the machines to communicate with each other, for example (computer A is sending some data to computer B), and therefore forwarding the port will also enhance the speed of the transmission between the two machines.

Now let's take a look at how the machines are connected to the internet when behind a router. The router is first connected to the internet which we will call it external IP. The router will then have its own internal IP address. (every machine/device will have at least one IP to identify them self). The router will then assign an individual IP address to every machine that is connected to the router. The router's IP address will then act as a gateway for all the machines that are on it's network. When a particular machine in the network wants to send data out to another machine in the internet, it will first pass through the gateway before the router sends it out to the recipient. The recipient however will not be able to tell who in the network is sending him the data as the internet will only show the external IP address here. Likewise, when another machine outside the network is sending data to a recipient inside the network, the data transmission will be transmitted to the external IP address and not directly to the intended recipient. The router will then decide which recipient should receive the data that is being transmitted. Fortunately, the NAT in the router will take care of most of the re-directing except for those programs which NAT are not designed to work with. This is where port forwarding comes into place. This simple process is just a way for users to tell the router which machine in the local network is the intended recipient and that the data should be directed to him. You will need to set up port forwarding rules for every port which you are using and any rules set up for a certain port will only work for that certain port.

One important factor to note is that a port can only be used by a program at any one time. For example, when computer A is using port 6000, it is using port 6000 on it's internal IP address. If you have set up a port forwarding rule for computer A and port 6000, the external IP address's port 6000 is also in use. This means that you can only use port 6000 on one computer on the network at a time. Using port 6000 on two computers at the same time would violate the one program rule, and your data would get messed up.

This generally sums up the term Port Forwarding. Any comments can be directed to www.voip.com.sg/voip_feedback.html

Repairing a damaged CD

Why compact discs get damaged. Compact discs are all plastic. Compact discs are even not sensitive to magnetic fields as in case floppy disks, which never used to retain data when even a slight magnetic field is crossed with floppies. Then what is the reason why CDs get corrupted?

CDs work on the principle of reflection of light. CD drives have a built in laser that is used to read data. When laser is focused on to the CD the beam get reflected to a point when there is some data on that are i.e. 0 or 1 the points where light beam lands back is different which symbolizes the bit value.

When something on the CD breaks the path of the laser light, something like dust particle or something else like a FINGER PRINT!!!. Finger prints are nothing but natural oil from skin that sticks to the surface in contact with the skin in a pattern of skin cells. This oil or say fingerprint helps in refraction of light and loss of data to the reading source i.e. laser.

When CDs don't run the reason is because something is interrupting the laser to read the shinny side of the CD. But I have important data what should I do now?

Most of the times it is because of dust or fingerprints, you need to clean the CD.
You can clean your CDs with plain water or a bit soapy water. And it is better to clean the CDs after some time. But this doesn't mean you should start putting your CDs in dishwasher or washing machine every week.

All you need to do is to wipe the shinny side of the CD with a clean moist cloth and try running it again make sure the CD is dry before you run it.

People say about using all different sorts of things to clean CDs like toothpastes, wax polish etc. but I would recommend you to buy some CD cleaning kit. But if you still want to go try, do let me know the results.

And one thing I must add is that DVD work on the same principle and are bit more sensitive to dust and fingerprints. You can also use the above mentioned procedure for DVDs. But you need to be careful with DVDs

Telecommunications With Broadband Satellite Internet

When you have a need for telecommunications, broadband satellite Internet is the only want to go. You need a high-speed connection to use the video equipment properly. If you have a DSL or cable hook up, you might find the telecommuting with video a little lapsed in time. You want real time conferencing without a delay. The newer equipment today for talking face to face with friends, a family member or business associate is important with the cost of transportation today. People want something that can keep them in touch that is reliable and fast.

Broadband satellite Internet is the only way to use video and phone equipment without worrying about delayed and dropped communications. Most of the equipment for Voip and teleconferencing today requires a high-speed Internet connection to work properly. The images and voice are transmitted over the Internet in digital form and converted back to image and voice when the recipient receives it. In order for this to work in real time, you need a fast connection speed. If you are using dial up, cable or DSL, you may see a lapse in communications that can be confusing for those sending and receiving the communication.

Many people are finding out that broadband satellite Internet is the only way to work from home in many areas that do not have DSL or cable available. If the work requires a dedicated phone line, Voip is the way to go for many. Unfortunately, if the person is using a slow connection the call can be delayed, which causes problems if you are a home phone operator. Although, not all calling centers will accept satellite Internet as a way to work, more and more companies are finding out that satellite is more reliable then other means of connecting to the Internet.

Networking is easier with broadband satellite Internet as well. People who network can use the same service as the main computer in the home. This means there is no extra equipment needed to network. You can have more than one computer hooked up to satellite Internet without any problems. If you need something fast and reliable, satellite is the way to achieve speed. Dial up is much to slow for the newer computers and networking, but satellite lets you achieve the speed you need and makes the computer perform the way you intended it to when you bought it.

Anyone who needs television reception and satellite Internet should consider one of the top rated service providers. The best way to select the best provide is to check connection speeds, download and upload times as well as reliability of the service. If you have access to the southern sky, with no obstacles in direct line of the satellite dish, you can start receiving high-speed Internet as soon as you call and set up an appointment for installation. Even some older computers will come alive with high-speed Internet. You just need the right service and reliability to use the Internet with speed.

Who Knew that Modern Technology would Eliminate Landlines on Campuses?

Montclair State University is mandating freshmen have a cell phone. This gives the school the opportunity to determine where the student is at any time. When this process began, the students were not really happy but, now, the students realize that this voluntary tracking system provides more safety. This gives the school a better way to contact students and maintain a line of communication.

Some schools are eliminating lines and jacks from their dormitories. Previously the schools were making money on these services. Since more and more students don’t connect the phones, this effectively eliminated income and became a cost for initial installation.

The University of Cincinnati has a voluntary program offering all incoming freshmen a free mobile phone. The phone features the school mascot, Bearcat, on the welcome screen. Some colleges are sticking with traditional phone service. Perhaps they are worried that cellular service isn’t as reliable.

In the future VOIP technology could be a viable alternative. Many colleges now have broadband access which would make this a feasible way to go.

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is expanding its housing. The new housing will be equipped with a computer network that is wireless.

While the choices are many, it appears that colleges are making use of modern technology and looking to the future to make more innovative changes.

A Tale of VoIP Billing Woe

We recently signed up with a Voice Over Internet Protocol provider at work. At the beginning there was a lot of hesitation to use a technology we thought was considerably young. Even though in technology age it's pretty old, having been created in the mid 90's. Still, there were a lot of concerns about reliability and use. Previously nobody in the office had, had any familiarity with with Voice Over Internet Protocol, which is often shortened to VoIP, and pronounced voyp.

At the beginning things were frustrating, and we quickly learned that you shouldn't have your VoIP tied to an unreliable internet connection. Also, we quickly discovered that using our VoIP for faxing was going to be inconvenient. On top of that we signed up with a service provider who was less than helpful. One particularly disturbing incident was just recently resolved. After a couple months with our VoIP we noticed a discrepancy in our bill. We had signed on for auto-bill pay and when we looked at our bills we noticed that our monthly charges had jumped from the original quote of $39.99, to nearly double. When I called our provider they explained that when we had signed up they had given us a "free" extra line. However, after a couple months the offer had expired and the second line was no longer free. What made the experience even more aggravating was the second line cancellation fee which was something like $40.00. After talking with the timid operator, who recognized my situation for what it was, a scam, he agreed to drop the cancellation charge. But we were still out almost $100.00 in charges for that second line.

This experience left the business with a sour taste in our corporate mouth. This wasn't so much due to VoIP, but to our VoIP provider. It was unfortunate that we didn't do the research necessary to find a quality VoIP provider.

During this whole experience we placed calls to other providers, and we quickly discovered that we had jumped the gun in selecting our voice over IP provider. These other companies seemed twice as friendly and a far better deal over all. However, doing this research was like pouring salt into an already gaping wound.

When we had selected our provider, we had merely glanced at the top three VoIP companies out there. After a brief comparison between companies we made our decision. Part of the problem was that our decision was made in haste. This was because we were a start up company and needed a phone number quickly. Having an operational phone were our customers could reach us was more important than heavy research on voice over IP providers. On top of that we had to have advertisements made and business cards printed. So much in business revolves around that phone number and we needed it fast. That haste decision has cost us an extra $100.00 so far, plus the additional stress associated with working with a less than hospitable company.

I'm writing this all down so you can avoid the pitfalls that I encountered. During the time of frustration with our current VoIP provider we discovered that there were lots of smaller companies out there, who offered sometimes more for less than what we are currently paying. If only we had done a little searching we could have made this discovery and avoided a massive headache. I've penned this cautionary tale in order to encourage you to seek out these smaller and lesser known providers.

Currently, things have become a little bit better. But it still hurts to pay our provider every month knowing that there are companies out there who are willing to provide us the same service with a smile. We would cancel with our current VoIP provider but they have forced us to live in fear. Fear of having to go through it all again. Not only would canceling their service come with a charge, but it might also mean we would have to go through the headache all again. It's the cowards way I know, but it's more convenient then the alternative.

Using voice over internet protocol has been great. We get our voice messages in emails, and phone calls can be routed to our cell phones if we have to step out. As far as I'm concerned I wouldn't want anything else in the office. I only wish I had gone with some other VoIP provider. The good news is, you still can, and even I can in a year or two. So do the research and find the right VoIP provider for you. You won't regret it.

About VoIP

Easy Free PC To Phone International Call
Voice over Internet Protocol allows the converting of your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, using a broadband service, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. In layman’s terms you are using your Personal Computer via a modem or phone adapter to connect to the Internet, and the receiving person will answer via PC or telephone. This allows the free pc to phone international call. This all happens with this broadband Internet connection instead of a regular or analog phone line.

The equipment needed to make this happen are a broadband high speed Internet connection. A computer, adapter or other specialized phone is required. Some Voice over Internet Protocol services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, while there are other services that allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter. If you are going to use your computer as a phone call from pc then you will need to have some software and an inexpensive microphone. Some special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with an adapter, then you will use the phone like you always have.

In order to make the VoIP free pc to phone international call you must make certain that your Internet provider will allow you to make those calls. It comes down to what your subscription service will allow on their services. Check into that before you decide if VoIP is right for you. One of the advantages of VoIP is that you may be able to avoid paying for both a broadband connection and a traditional telephone line, which will save you money. More so if you are able to make a phone call from pc. If you are traveling overseas or to another country you may take your phone and adapter with you, and connect to another computer. This makes you able to use your same provider to make phone calls back home.

The disadvantages are that the VoIP will not work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power. Not all VoIP service connects directly with emergency services such as 9-1-1. Nor will some providers offer directory assistance or white page listings. These seem to be the downfall of having VoIP service. The computer does not have to be turned on for the VoIP to work, but the broadband connection must be active or live. The other piece of news is that you can use both the computer and the VoIP phone service at the same time. Yes, this is one good way of making your free pc to phone international call.

The option is for you to check with your Internet service provider. Make certain you have all software and possible adapters, as well as the broadband connection. With the right equipment you will be able to make a free pc to phone international call. If you are attending school, working overseas, or checking on the family back home, then VoIP is a wonderful tool to connect with loved ones, and special people. This is a way to have your free pc to phone international call. The tools are available. Your next step is to set up your computer and Internet service provider for a Voice over Internet Protocol.

The Importance Of An It Degree

The explosion of the information technology world has created a need for highly skilled workers able to handle heavy programming and tight network security. Every end of the spectrum in the computer world now requires in depth training and knowledge to be able to meet the demands of a computerized civilization. Communications, databases and the number of computer networks mean that anyone breaking into the job market with the hopes of working with technology needs certified qualifications and solid skills to be a contender. Competition for employment is stiff and only those with proper knowledge will get into massive corporations or important jobs. Of course, basic training in PC repair will solidify a long term job for you in a computer store, but with the opportunity to expand your skills into something far more valuable, why limit yourself rather than specializing in programming, video game design or software development?

Working in the technological industry can be very good, as employment conditions are favourable. Most working hours are set at 40 hours per week, geared to when the maximum number of employees are using the networking system or tapping into the administrative database. Also, thanks to that same technology you would be studying, someone with an IT degree can easily work from home and provide the same service to their employer as they would on site. There are, however, some drawbacks to working in an IT environment: emergency situations such as viruses, massive backups or network repairs, or meeting a certain deadline can mean longer hours in the evening or on weekends, though usually not on a regular basis.

Technology changes rapidly and pressure to excel at skills does mean that those who work in the industry must always be continually updating their skills or learning new ones as developments occur. Of course, a secure, long term job position can mean that recycling skills may not be necessary, but should your IT employment with one company come to an end, you may find that you no longer have the qualifications to be competitive in the job market when searching for a new employer. For sure, businesses today nearly always only hire people with IT degrees and anyone lacking that certification won't be able to find a job, no matter how skilled or talented they are.

There's more reason to invest in achieving an IT degree. The job prospectus for someone with high skills and abilities is very good, and the public's desire for bigger, better, and more will continue to push companies to develop new software and find solutions to make individual's lives easier or more productive. Computer scientists and database administrators are predicted to be the fastest growing market for those with an IT degree, so specialization in those areas will ensure that you'll be quickly employed at a good salary. However, even without specialization, most people with an IT degree will land jobs, as companies are also looking for people with a wide range of knowledge, including interpersonal and business skills. Spreading out can make you just as valuable as specialization.

An IT degree provides you with the training so that you'll become a valuable asset to any company. Indeed, most businesses today seek out top students and professionals with certification from the best educational institutions to help them protect their valuable data and keep their computer network functioning at its optimal potential. The starting salary for someone with solid skills and certification begins somewhere around $60,000 and only goes upwards from there. Your investment in an IT degree will certainly pay itself back many times, and you'll be able to break into a rising area of employment opportunities that will have you set for life.

Aviation English Language Training - A Perspective

All international aircraft operators, whether pilots or air traffic control officers (ATCOs), must meet minimum English language proficiency requirements specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which come into effect on 5 March 2008. The aim of ICAO is to raise standards in 'Aviation English' communications globally, as a means of improving safety both in the air and on the ground.

Aviation communications in any language are highly specialized. The term 'Aviation English' embraces a considerably wider field of language knowledge and expertise than most native speakers of English utilize in their everyday lives. Moreover, a further important consideration is that of the aviation environment and 2 significant factors of everyday life in that community: those of the emergency situation and of the non-routine situation. Aircraft operators learn very precise procedures, definitions, and rules and regulations, and all are presented in very formal, precise and unambiguous language. Introduce the unknown, those frequent occasions when something does not happen in the way it should, or in the way that those involved are expecting, and we can readily identify where many of the major communication problems lie.

Pilots and ATCOs are well trained to deal with the unexpected; nevertheless, no organization or individual can cater for every eventuality in such a precarious operating environment. In such situations, therefore, yet another factor comes into play: that of the degradation of an individual's performance under stress and under duress. In a very difficult, ever-changing and ever-challenging working environment, which is fraught with danger and the unexpected, circumstances can change within seconds, inducing both crises and panic in those directly concerned. At that juncture, individual performance levels plummet and instinct takes over. Effective communication becomes paramount and must be instinctive. If one then considers the added complication of a particular individual, if not 2, one in the air and one on the ground, operating in a second language, performance can degrade further. Hence, the importance and necessity of a high level of English-language proficiency in all concerned.

English language trainers therefore face an enormous task in facilitating the service necessary to meet the demands for effective training in Aviation English worldwide. The ICAO impetus, quite rightly, is on general English-language comprehension, which has to be the basis for any training. However, to meet the minimum communication standards for safe aircraft operations internationally, trainers must also consider the contextual issues. It is the enormous scope of English in the context of aviation that presents language trainers with a significant challenge.

Aircraft operators require an enormous range of knowledge, terminology and phraseology to function effectively in their everyday roles. In a short English-language course for aircraft operators, therefore, trainers must consider where to place the emphasis. Many trainers focus on R/T phraseology; however, whilst standard phraseology is an important aspect of aviation communications, it is merely one of many. Most aviators are familiar with standard R/T phraseology; they use it every day. Language trainers therefore need to place the emphasis on the many aspects of non-standard and non-routine phraseology that might be used in emergency situations and that potentially create difficulties for non-native speakers, ie those aspects of English not necessarily covered in aviation manuals.

Often, language training is a requirement more often than not driven by budgetary constraints, operational constraints and logistical considerations on the part of a client, who invariably lacks appreciation that Aviation English training takes time. Trainers are frequently required to train sponsored groups of trainees, a scenario that works well only when the specializations of the individual trainees, their respective training needs and also the English-language levels of each are similar. It must be stressed that the needs of pilots and ATCOs are very different: whilst the sponsored-group scenario generally works well with pilots of similar rating, in the case of ATCOs training must take account of 3 very different professional specializations, each of which has its own particular requirements: Aerodrome Control, Approach Control and Area Radar Control.

Problems arise on those occasions when either a particular sponsor elects for, or the training provider attempts the 'one-size-fits-all' scenario, an option that is all too frequently deemed the most practical on the part of the sponsor, for operational reasons, or the most economic on the part of the training provider in terms of facilitation. The outcome is all too often unsatisfactory, with single trainees, or small group of trainees, being placed on courses where the group as a whole is totally mismatched - by far the least effective way of achieving a satisfactory result from any viewpoint.

Is Your School Prepared For Weather Disasters?

Metal detectors. Surveillance cameras. Security guards. School systems throughout the U.S. are becoming more and more vigilant in preventing crime and violence on school property. But are school officials doing all they can when it comes to communications to staff, parents and emergency responders?

Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other severe weather conditions pose a significant danger to students, staff and school buildings.

While most schools have contingency plans in place to deal with weather emergencies, school officials are seeking ways to get their emergency messages out faster and more efficiently.

School systems across the U.S. are adopting an innovative new emergency alert system called the Immediate Response Information System, or IRIS.

Developed by TechRadium Inc., IRIS is a high-speed notification and response service that sends routine, priority and emergency messages electronically to employees, parents and emergency responders throughout the community.

To use IRIS, a designated staff member sends a standard message using any phone or Internet-connected computer. In a matter of seconds, IRIS transmits voice and text alerts to all appropriate contact points. These messages are sent to home and cell phones, e-mail addresses, pagers, PDAs and fax machines.

Users can pre-select any of 10 different language preferences.

Though IRIS is valuable in emergency situations, it also is useful for sending routine school announcements, regarding exam schedules or lunch menus, for instance.

IRIS requires no hardware, software or system installation, thus making IRIS an affordable communication system for all school districts.