NaviGate™ Redefines How First-Responders Answer the Call

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio, Feb. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In his State of the Union Address on Jan. 25, President Obama emphasized the importance of connecting every part of America in the digital age to help businesses expand their footprints and to help first-responders be better prepared for emergencies. "It's about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building on to a handheld device …," President Obama said.

NaviGate™ by Lauren Innovations is a web-based technology that is already being used by universities, stadiums, hospitals, manufacturing facilities and malls across the United States to put critical information in the hands of first-responders, and all who need access to essential information -- anytime, from anywhere -- to enhance security, safety, compliance and efficiency.

"As the head of a new technology company, I watched President Obama's State of the Union Address, looking for uniting ideas and principles that would help move us all forward," said Bennett Fierman, PhD., president of Lauren Innovations. "The President's words urging entrepreneurial companies to create new technologies in the next five years to help American businesses be safer and more connected resonated with me personally because our NaviGate™ product already answers this call."

Fierman continued, "With NaviGate, the technology already exists to put floor plans in the hands of firefighters via internet-accessible devices, helping to enhance any organization's daily operations and emergency response. Any first-responder using the system can access video feeds, emergency documents, hazardous material locations and other critical information, anytime, from anywhere," he said.

NaviGate began as an emergency response tool, but has evolved into an integrated system that combines document, emergency and incident management functionality with online learning tools. The system enables users to create, store, edit, access and add existing documents in a secure, web-based environment. Version and access control are set at the document level, which further ensures that only selected individuals can view and edit critical documents.

For emergency personnel, NaviGate can aid in streamlining response by providing immediate access to critical information, such as floor plans, protocols, call lists, videos, photos and locations of hazardous materials, via remote devices, such as laptops and handhelds.

"A great deal has been learned from our tragedies; first-responders need immediate access to critical information in a way that is fast, effortless, current, accurate and useful," Fierman said. "Our businesses have learned that there is vulnerability in having all essential information in places that are at risk during disasters, both man-made and natural. Solutions must deliver information that is secure in a way that is useful the moment it is needed."

NaviGate is SAFETY Act designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is gaining momentum as the must-have product for any organization needing to collect, manage, and apply their unique essential information through integrated document, incident and learning management functions. Lauren Innovations is also a founding partner of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at the University of Southern Mississippi.

For more information, visit www.laureninnovations.com or call 866.861.7400.

About Bennett Fierman, Ph.D.

Dr. Fierman has been a healthcare provider and administrator for over 25 years in private, public and non-profit settings. He has served in consulting and leadership roles for a variety of public and higher education environments, healthcare institutions and systems, public and private corporations and governmental agencies.

He is currently the President of Lauren Innovations, a member of the Lauren International family of businesses with over 50 years experience providing innovative solutions, superior products and exemplary customer service. Lauren International is headquartered in Ohio with locations throughout the US, Germany and England.

Additionally, he has taught on the faculty at John Carroll University and Case Western Reserve University College of Medicine. He has also guest lectured at Malone College, Walsh University and Northeast Ohio Universities College of Medicine.  His continuing education includes having completed Lean and Six Sigma training, Service Line Management through the Snowmass Institute, as well as Service Excellence training through the Studer Group.

About NaviGate™ by Lauren Innovations

NaviGate™ by Lauren Innovations is a highly secure, web-based system that can be used by any organization to collect, manage, and apply their unique essential information through integrated document, incident, and learning management functions. Through controlled, role- and permission-based access, NaviGate optimizes daily operations and emergency response, with secure, instant access to information at anytime, from anywhere. Based on its proven effectiveness, NaviGate has received SAFETY Act designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and has been evaluated by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) Laboratory.

About Lauren Innovations

Lauren Innovations (www.laureninnovations.com) is dedicated to the development and enhancement of technologies and services that contribute to a safer, healthier and more secure world. Headquartered in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Lauren Innovations is a subsidiary of Lauren International (www.laureninternational.com). For more information, call 866.861.7400.

SOURCE Lauren Innovations