Daktronics Integrates Control Solution with IPAWS for Automatic Emergency Alerts

BROOKINGS, S.D. – May 7, 2019 – Daktronics (NASDAQ-DAKT) of Brookings, South Dakota, announced today the integration of its Venus® Control Suite software to Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) emergency management alerts. Customers using Venus Control Suite to operate their digital billboards or outdoor displays can now automatically run IPAWS emergency alerts. FEMA established IPAWS for authorities to send alerts and warnings within their jurisdictions.

Jessie Koch, Daktronics product manager, points out the important role digital billboards can play in emergency management. "Our digital billboards are positive additions to the community. We are able to perform several public service functions by facilitating AMBER® Alerts, weather alerts and law enforcement alerts," she says.

"Emergency alerts also help display owners build a positive relationship with the community," Koch adds.    

Not just billboard owners, but schools, retailers and non-profits also donate space on their digital signs for public service announcements. Examples include:

• Display most-wanted information
• Alert parents and students at schools of potential situations
• Share Amber Alerts for missing children
• Communicate the latest weather warnings 

"The Venus Control Suite and IPAWS interface streamlines the process of emergency management and offers a more comprehensive choice for our digital billboard owners," says Koch.

Click here for or more information on digital signage and automatic emergency alerts.

About Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)

Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial alerting authorities use IPAWS and integrate local systems that use Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standards with the IPAWS infrastructure. IPAWS provides public safety officials with an effective way to alert and warn the public about serious emergencies using the Emergency Alert System (EAS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, and other public alerting systems from a single interface. View a list of IPAWS Organizations with Public Alerting Authority Completed in each state.