Louisville, Ky.- Appriss® announced today that it has unveiled a series of new safeguards to improve its patented VINE® service. Among other things, the enhancements will prevent mass notifications in the event of a data file or computer error. The company’s software engineers have set new limits on the number of notification calls made, automatically suspending calls if a site-determined number of notifications are detected within 60 seconds.
The new limits have already proven their value. On January 9th, a routine upgrade to the computer systems in Jefferson County, Ky., resulted in a data error. Thanks to the new safeguards, the Appriss Network Operating Center was immediately notified, preventing a large-scale notification of victims.
“This was the first actual test of the new error checks, and I am happy to report it worked exactly as it was designed,” said Mike Davis, Appriss president. “VINE computers detected an unusual spike in notifications. As a result of our safeguards, approximately 625 notifications were suspended within 60 seconds.”
“Crime victims and their families deserve accurate and timely information and these procedures are designed to ensure they receive it,” added Davis. “Our ultimate goal is to prevent any erroneous notification calls to any crime victim.”
VINE, the National Victim Notification Network, allows crime victims across the country to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day- over the telephone, through the Internet, or by e-mail. In 2005, more than four million notification calls were placed to victims and their families throughout the nation. VINE monitors more than 1.4 million offenders, with 250,000 registered victims and handles approximately one million contacts to and from victims each month.
Appriss provides innovative technology solutions that help governments serve and protect their citizens. Its flagship product, VINE® (Victim Information & Notification Everyday,) allows crime victims and the general public to obtain offender custody or court status over the telephone or the Internet in more than 1,500 counties in 39 states and two Canadian provinces. Partnering with a team led by AT&T Government Solutions Inc., Appriss provides automated notification services to victims of Federal crimes through the U.S. Department of Justice.
Other innovative products and services include JusticeXchange™, an Integrated Criminal Justice application, and Alertxpress®, a high-speed notification solution for criminal justice agencies.