Paying for a System of Systems Emergency Notification Program

On the surface, costs for a managed system-of-systems notification and alerting program will be greater than the traditional approach of buying a single solution from a vendor. A closer look would reveal significant money has often been spent on the traditional approach, with little return and success. Since a proper approach had not been followed, results are disappointing.

A managed system-of-system can start small, and grow. With the proper design in place up front, sub-systems can be added as more money becomes available. It can also leverage past investments.

The managed system-of-system approach also addresses two of the most important requirements of the federal grant programs typically used: (1) Interoperability, and (2) Collaboration.

Interoperability is encouraged by bringing together diverse and dynamic communications modes, ensuring communications is facilitated through a single system …despite communications preferences and communication mode availability.

Collaboration is facilitated by the process, which requires shared input at almost every step. This will resonate with grant reviewers, as it shows a systematic approach for overcoming well-known obstacles.

Meantime, funds from the massive economic stimulus law could be used for notification/alert/warnings system deployments. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides states with over $8.8 billion dollars which can be used for “public safety and other government services”. A number of local governments have listed notification systems on their “wish lists” for spending the federal funds.

Additionally, the economic stimulus law gave new life to two law enforcement grant programs used in the past to purchase notification solutions. The grant beneficiaries are the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Grant Program (commonly referred to as “Byrne Grants” or “JAG” – Justice Assistance Grants Program) and the Community Oriented Policing Services Grant Program (commonly referred to as “COPS Grants”). Both grant programs are designed to fight crime, although there’s been a certain amount of flexibility in the way funds are spent. Technology spending is accepted.

Beyond grants, the system-of-systems approach will appeal to others who control purse strings – namely elected officials. Thus, grants are not necessarily the only source of funds, even during tough economic times. Impressive success stories exist showing how well-done notification programs are strong assets to communities in day-to-day use (not to mention, a source of community good will, which can translate to votes.)

Plus, the dynamic and diverse nature of communications methods and preferences is easy to see; every one experiences it first-hand. It’s simply a matter of showing the purse string-holders that a plan exists for, not only mitigating the rapidly-changing communications environment, but embracing it.

NOTE: Excerpted from Galain Solutions, Inc white paper, "Notifications, Alerts, Warnings: The Next Generation" Copies are available upon request to info@galainsolutions.com.