AlertTraveler SMARTPHONE APP
NEW TERRA DOTTA FUNCTIONALITY AHEAD
An interview with Brandon S. Lee, CEO of Terra Dotta
Brandon, on behalf of PORTAL, thank you for taking a moment to speak with us. In a recent company address, you shared details about the new travel security capabilities being incorporated into Terra Dotta Software. With the rising burden of duty of care on universities, and traveler safety becoming increasingly critical, can you give us an overview of these new features?
Sure. We are introducing a new product called AlertTraveler that will work in conjunction with Terra Dotta Software. There are three main facets to AlertTraveler: country/region/city risk intelligence and advice; real-time alerts; and, a check-in feature to let universities know who is at risk and who is safe.
I know I’m a data junkie, but this data is really exciting. The country/region/city data includes sections on political conditions, security issues, travel logistics, cultural factors, and health advisories.
The real-time alert data is compiled from hundreds of sources around the world, but is then independently verified by our risk intelligence partner. Whether it’s a terrorist attack, a train derailment, political unrest, or a natural disaster, AlertTraveler will provide your institution— and you as a traveler—with real-time alerts and advice about how to remain safe.
We are very excited to have partnered with red24 for the risk intelligence data. If you don’t know red24, they are a UK-based risk intelligence and safety company that was recently acquired by WorldAware International.
How will Terra Dotta clients be able to access this new information?
Terra Dotta’s smartphone app—AlertTraveler—will be our clients’ one-stop shop for all the information, alerts, and functionality. The app will be available in both the Android and iOS app stores, and you can set up AlertTraveler to receive the information you care about, when you need it. Customize your preferences around notifications for severity or incident types, including push notifications, or simply get an assessment prior to your planned weekend excursion. Our teams are working closely with Terra Dotta clients to ensure that we deliver the best client experience possible. We look forward to previewing the app at TDU in Las Vegas in April! [Register for TDU here, if you haven’t already.]
You mentioned upcoming functionality; are there other usability features that stand out?
One that stands out, and that I think will be very helpful, is the Check-In feature. While our SMEs [Subject Matter Experts] and design team are still evaluating which aspects of the Check-In functionality to include, I can share with you that, in an emergency, it will allow a user to touch a button to signal to their university that all is OK, that the traveler has arrived at their destination when she or he was expected, and so on. This allows universities to put a comprehensive risk management plan into action—providing travelers with country-based information prior to their departure, alerting them of emergencies while abroad, confirming that they have received the alert, and finding out if they are OK or need help, all via the indispensable tool they already have in their possession—their smartphone.
This will provide institutions with a robust, hyper-secure solution to help keep their students and faculty as safe as possible at all times.
Can this be used as a standalone app?
No. This is essentially a plug-in for a current Terra Dotta license. It is intended for use in study abroad, travel registries, international student and scholar offices, and service learning.
Has pricing for AlertTraveler been set?
We are still working on that, though pricing will likely be banded, and based on usage. Obviously, the overhead and resources required to maintain systems, provide data, and ensure quality, carry incremental costs. So, a university that manages 1,000 travelers per year will pay more than one that manages 200 travelers per year. We plan to publish finalized pricing in the coming weeks.
Is global SMS messaging available within Terra Dotta software?
Initially, we're providing push notifications through the mobile application—SMS notifications will follow that in the second half of the year.
When are these new features scheduled for release, and how should clients prepare for them?
We plan to demonstrate the new capabilities at TDU in April, after which we'll gather attendee feedback. We are currently focused on a May release, though an official release date has not yet been set.
In terms of initial client preparation prior to implementing our upcoming release, a successful rollout within each institution begins by first evaluating the number of anticipated travelers, and also which individuals or groups should be included.
You mentioned there will be updated functionality later this year. Will Terra Dotta release updates and fixes more than once a year?
Yes! For years, we've released new software features and updates once a year. I am thrilled to reiterate that we have moved to a more agile industry-standard development methodology, where we can, and do, release smaller packages of software improvements multiple times per year. This is more beneficial to our clients because they can take advantage of new features sooner, and they don’t have to wait a year for needed improvements. With the size of our development teams, and our ongoing transition to a SaaS-only service delivery model, it became clear that increasing the frequency of our releases actually helped to improve the stability and usability of our products, which always make for happier customer experiences.
Thank you, Brandon. We encourage readers to contact us at info@TerraDotta.com for questions, or visit www.terradotta.com to sign up for a demonstration of Terra Dotta Software or to learn more about AlertTraveler.