Mass notification alert systems spread on campuses.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS - Brief article

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The tragic shooting at Virginia Tech last year has sparked interest at educational institutions in mass notification software systems that send out e-mails, text and prerecorded phone alerts.

Until the shooting, where more than 30 lost their lives, companies such as 3n, of Glendale, Calif., had all but given up on the education market.

University administrations were slow to make decisions and lacked a desire to invest in the systems, said James Keene, executive vice president at 3n.

Alison Johnson, manager of public safety sales at Twenty First Century Communications based in Columbus, Ohio, agreed. "We didn't dabble in that market very much. Now, we're seeing a lot more need and interest," she said.

Inquiries from educational institutions have increased 300 percent since the Virginia Tech shooting, Keene said...