The Early Warning Network, an emergency service first started in 1995, has won the Ninefold Cloud Computing Prize at the Tech23 awards.
The network uses satellite mapping and forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, weather stations and experts to issue location-based emergency alerts during severe weather, including storms, hail, flash flooding, damaging winds, fires, earthquakes and tsunamis. The free alerts are delivered to PCs via the Internet and mobiles via SMS/pagers, besides being transmitted to other phones (text to voice), sent via e-mail and posted on social media. The network’s alerts are based on a geographical notification and information system that identifies an individual’s location within 10 metres.
“We’re proud to win the Ninefold Cloud Computing award in recognition of our goal to get an efficient, accessible, nation-wide early warning system in place for all Australians, and it’s backing like this that helps us achieve awareness and gain credibility both in industry and among the public,” said Kerry Plowright, EWN’s managing director.
Ninefold managing Director Peter James said the EWN was an obvious choice for the award.
“The Early Warning Network stood out as a clear winner to us as it’s iconically Australian, with a technology and operational strategy that combine to identify a unique market proposition,” said James. “It’s the kind of business that needs to scale quickly and affordably, so the cloud is an ideal model for that. We strongly support EWN in taking this concept and going as far as they possibly can as there’s nothing more laudable that using technology and IP to save lives.”
The Tech23 awards are a program sponsored in part by the New South Wales government and run by Slattery IT Consulting.
“Peer-led support is one of the most encouraging environments for start-up organisations to operate in, and this year’s Tech23 has yielded a great group of like-minded industry supporters. We appreciate the contribution of companies, such as Ninefold, to help entrepreneurs bring amazing concepts to life,” said Slattery IT Director Rachel Slattery.
The EWN works with public bodies such as the Brisbane City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council and the Northern Territory to deliver the alerts. It also has arrangements with public sector organisations and private companies in the resources, property and insurance sectors to help mitigate against severe weather damage and costs, and to alert employees.
Ninefold is a leading provider of cloud computing and storage.
