Download PDF - International SOS
Download PDF - International SOS
Download PDF - International SOS
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
ONLINE<br />
The world at your<br />
fingertips<br />
Hi-tech online solutions help mitigate the risks of<br />
international travel.<br />
ONE OF THE downsides of living in the<br />
‘Information Age’ is data overload.<br />
This is particularly true for international<br />
companies with hundreds or thousands of<br />
employees traveling or working abroad.<br />
With so many sources of information, it’s<br />
virtually impossible to access the specific<br />
details they need to help keep staff safe and<br />
secure.<br />
“The aim from the start was to make<br />
<strong>International</strong> <strong>SOS</strong>’s website and associated<br />
online services the only places you would<br />
ever need to look,” says Tim Daniel, Chief<br />
Operating Officer, <strong>International</strong> <strong>SOS</strong> Online.<br />
From humble beginnings in 1997, the main<br />
<strong>International</strong> <strong>SOS</strong> members’ website has<br />
developed into a comprehensive guide to<br />
traveling and working around the world, as<br />
Tim explains: “We now have more than two<br />
hundred country guides of around 25-30<br />
pages each, available in English, French,<br />
Spanish, Japanese and Chinese. You can find<br />
out all you need to know about health,<br />
security, climate, culture and customs. And<br />
information is constantly updated 24/7 to<br />
keep users fully informed.”<br />
Towards full interactivity<br />
Customers are always searching for ways to<br />
help manage risk more effectively: “The idea<br />
for our ‘Traveler Locator Service’ came<br />
following a client discussion shortly after<br />
9/11. Tragically, the company had had<br />
employees on one of the hijacked planes, and<br />
wanted a system that could track every<br />
traveling member of staff anywhere in the<br />
world.<br />
“Traveler Locator takes data from travel<br />
management systems and travel agencies to<br />
give an instant snapshot of the movements of<br />
employees. You can track individuals by<br />
region, by country, by flight number or hotel<br />
booking. It also lets you assess the risks<br />
facing these people and gives automatic<br />
medical and security alerts if they’re likely to<br />
face dangers or hazards.<br />
“The service is web-based and accessible<br />
from anywhere in the world, yet also highly<br />
secure with restricted users. As you would<br />
expect, the amount of data processed is<br />
22 INTERNATIONAL <strong>SOS</strong>