SAN MATEO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/02/09 -- AtHoc, Inc., the pioneer and leader in network-centric emergency mass notification systems, today announced that the U.S. Special Operations Forces Support Activity (SOFSA) has selected AtHoc IWSAlerts(TM) integrated with Cisco IP phones to fulfill its mass notification needs. AtHoc is a Cisco Preferred Solution developer for the safety and security market.

SOFSA, a unit of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), provides critical and rapid response for joint logistical support to USSOCOM, focusing on Special Operations Forces (SOF) and SOF-unique equipment.

With AtHoc, SOFSA is expanding the use of its core Cisco IP telephony infrastructure for physical security and public safety purposes. The solution will enable authorized operators to send emergency notifications to targeted SOFSA personnel via audio visual alerts that would appear on the phone displays and speakers. End-users will be able to respond and acknowledge alert receipt using the IP Phone controls. AtHoc IWSAlerts will track the responses and provide operators with a dashboard that displays the real time status of personnel.

Additionally, SOFSA personnel will be able to trigger alerts from their IP Phones via a "panic" button, which will be delivered via AtHoc in real time to security personnel in SOFSA's operation center.

The deployment of AtHoc IWSAlerts by SOFSA further demonstrates the adoption of 3rd generation net-centric mass notification technology for military and homeland security purposes. Third-generation systems leverage existing IP networks to: (a) communicate rapidly to all connected devices; (b) integrate and unify disparate existing mass notification capabilities; (c) provide bi-directional communication allowing collection of feedback from all personnel; and (d) achieve enterprise-level scalability and processes. The result is the most effective, enterprise-wide mass notification capability with the best cost-to-benefit ratio.

"As part of the Special Operation Command, SOFSA has unique and stringent requirements for force protection. The ability to deliver alerts to Cisco IP phones extends AtHoc's already pervasive solution to yet another effective channel that will ensure that targeted SOFSA personnel receive the best possible protection in the event of an emergency," said Andy Anderson, vice president of operations, defense sector for AtHoc. "The integration with the VoIP phones gives SOFSA a powerful mass notification system that leverages its existing infrastructure, saving money and resources."

About AtHoc

AtHoc is the pioneer and recognized leader in providing enterprise-class, network-centric emergency notification systems to military, government and commercial organizations. AtHoc's products are used for physical security, force protection, personnel accountability, recall and regulatory compliance. Millions of end users worldwide, in organizations such as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, NASA, Microsoft, Boeing and PricewaterhouseCoopers rely on AtHoc's unified management systems for their emergency alerting and critical communication needs. AtHoc has partnered with market leaders including Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, Harris, Siemens, MIR3, Avaya, Lockheed Martin and others to bring these notification solutions to the public and commercial markets.

For more information on AtHoc, please visit http://www.athoc.com.