Zipit Enterprise Critical Messaging Solution debuts at HIMSS conference

From the 2011 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Orlando, Fla., Verizon Wireless and Zipit Wireless, a pioneer in next generation connected platform solutions, today introduced the Zipit® Enterprise Critical Messaging Solution™, a two-way paging system available exclusively from Verizon Wireless.  The solution consists of a unique messaging device, a cloud-based hosted environment and a communications infrastructure designed to meet the needs of pager customers including those in the healthcare industry.  The device operates on Verizon Wireless' nationwide 3G network and Wi-Fi networks to provide the broadest possible coverage to ensure that messages get delivered.  

The two-way technology in the device and the communications infrastructure of the solution overcome a limitation with existing pager solutions: the inability to confirm that a message has been sent, delivered to the device and read by the intended recipients.

The Zipit Enterprise Critical Messaging Solution debuts today at the HIMSS conference in Orlando (Booth 931).  Building on the conference's mission to link people, potential and progress, the solution is the next step in connecting platforms and people to create a better healthcare system.  Zipit will begin selling the device in conjunction with custom pricing from Verizon Wireless in the second quarter of 2011.  

"A key difference between existing pager technologies and the Zipit pager replacement system is the Zipit Remote Administration Portal, which provides users with detailed insight into the status of messages and ease of system management of the Zipit Now™ devices," said Michael P. Ross, vice president of sales, healthcare for Verizon Wireless.  "We've spent two years alongside Zipit Wireless working with customers to understand their existing pager communication challenges, as well as their current communications requirements, which led to the development of the Zipit connected system purposely built around the customers' needs."

Through the cloud-based system, Zipit Now devices can be updated, grouped and maintained in near real time – without the need to physically reprogram equipment.  Emphasizing reliability, the platform bridges the capabilities of the Verizon Wireless 3G network with customers' existing Wi-Fi networks for flexible connectivity options.  

"Time is critical in the modern healthcare industry, and we saw the potential to develop a technology capable of providing simple, reliable and cost-effective communications for an enterprise workforce," said Frank Greer, chief executive officer and president, Zipit Wireless.  "This new system allows rapid, verifiable communication between multiple parties and through multiple platforms, ensuring that doctors receive the urgent messages they require.  While there have been attempts to provide alternatives to pager systems, no other technology has delivered a solution that is as verifiable, cost-effective, dependable and easy-to-manage."