UgoRound Community Alert App and Platform

UgoRound is a free app available to download that sends alerts to citizens directly via their phones. Alerts can include warnings, incidents, or general notifications for events. Cities and public service (e.g Disaster and Emergency Management) agencies can send alerts to First to Know Groups and create geo fences where only those inside or close by will get the alert. It requires no registration by the individual users and alerts can be received anywhere in the world. The UgoRound app can be used by multiple agencies at once. Each agency can have access to the 'First to Know' Group which is set up under the jurisdiction of the city. This means people can receive alerts from multiple alert originators. Once the city has established their command and a series of 'First to Know' Groups, they can “share” access to law enforcement, rescue services, local municipalities etc.

Examples of 'First to Know' Groups include:

• Places of Worships
• Schools and Universities
• Hospitals
• Local County or Council Areas
• Sporting Events
• Police Stations

Agencies can use the system for free for up to 2000 members. There is no possibility to register on the app. Tourists or out of town visitors are then more likely to use the App.

UgoRound was built to serve the global need for an improvement in communications in emergencies and events that impact people. This is by recognising that we can do a lot better than a legacy SMS or a benign social media post. These methods are useful but there is a great gap in the management of events (end to end) that are not suited for either of these modes. UgoRound eliminates the need to “follow” so many social media pages or “go to” websites to find information. The Citizen receives relevant alerts passively. City officials know that people do not like to share their personal information and this is evident in the low sign up rates with the current methods. Research shows only 10 – 20% of people will register to receive an SMS/Email alert. This system eliminates the sign up registering requirement altogether. The citizen is totally anonymous to UgoRound and the admin users of the platform.

Publicly available: Yes
Countries where available: Worldwide Price range: Free
Offered or can be licensed for local manufacture: No

ugoround-smart-geo-alert-solution-overview.pdf