Explore the most frequently asked questions about the Sentinel platform
Click on the questions below to discover the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Sentinel platform. Or, ask your own questions by contacting us on enquiries@sentinelresililence.com.
Sentinel supports multiple communication types as part of the platform. Whether you’re sending a mass alert, or connecting a team, you’ll find a channel ideally suited to the task at hand. All with the express aim of improving the ability to communicate quickly and clearly in crisis situations.
All Sentinel modules allow you to send a communication through multiple channels simultaneously. Whether sending an alert, update, or invitation to connect, it can be sent to every device and communication channel you have available for a contact. Increasing the reach of your broadcasts and improving the chance they’ll be promptly received and acted upon.
Read on to explore the different types of communication available on the Sentinel platform.
Text messaging is one of the primary communication channels available on the Sentinel platform. It is used across most Sentinel modules to achieve different communication goals during crisis events.
These include:
Email is another primary communication channel available on the Sentinel platform. Like SMS messaging, it is deployed across most Sentinel modules for a range of purposes.
These include:
As part of the Sentinel Mass Alerting module, voice broadcasts are the latest communication channel to be made available through the platform.
Using our text-to-speech technology, you can convert your crisis communications into a recorded message. Select a group of contacts and Sentinel will automatically call all numbers and play your emergency communication. The system is configured to hang up in the event it encounters a voicemail system.
You can also add two-way communication to voice broadcasts to check safety and focus response efforts. At the end of the communication, recipients will receive quick response options they can answer with the telephone keypad. Sentinel then logs their responses for follow-up or analysis.
Sentinel offers group instant messaging capabilities using the Chat Channels module.
Once activated, you can create secure group chats and invite crisis response teams to join. Participants can then connect and collaborate in real time with instant message communications.
If you activate both the Mass Alerting and Chat Channels modules on your Sentinel deployment, you gain an additional communication channel for mass notifications. Within your Mass Alerting module, you can extend your emergency broadcasts to also be sent as instant messages within Chat Channels to chosen group chats.
By activating the Secure Instant Teleconferencing module, you can facilitate teleconferences using the Sentinel Platform. Once activated, you can create an instant teleconference and connect your crisis response teams in a group call.
Upon creation of a new teleconference, the Sentinel system automatically calls all invited participants on their chosen method of communication. Participants are able to join the teleconference using mobile, VOIP, or traditional landlines.
Activating the Enterprise App and Chat Channels modules, you can unlock mobile push notifications as a communication channel. This gives you the ability to send a pop-up message direct to mobile users who are alerted with a custom sound.
Mobile push notifications are an incredibly powerful way you engage and capture attention. Of course, they can only be sent to those who’ve downloaded Chat Channels or your Enterprise App.
Outlined below are the ways you can use mobile app push notifications in Sentinel:
If you're looking for a communication type that isn’t listed above, don’t worry. The Sentinel platform is a customisable solution, meaning we can integrate with other systems to offer additional communication types. Allowing you to extend the functionality of the Mass Alerting module to include additional communication channels.
Naturally, this type of bespoke solution requires additional development, which comes at a cost. To find out more about additional communication types, you can contact us via email.
No, there’s nothing you need to install. All you need to get started with Sentinel is a device, internet connection and web browser.
Sentinel is a cloud-based platform comprised of a series of communication, document management and reporting software modules.
The platform operates using a Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model. Sentinel software is hosted centrally, with access to the software licensed on a subscription basis. So, there’s nothing to install locally, you access the platform's functionality using a web browser.
This makes Sentinel software available on demand. You don’t have to spend time and IT resources installing and configuring software on your server and desktop devices.
And you don’t need to worry about hardware restrictions. As long as you have an internet connection, you are ready to get started. You are also free from the burden of handling software updates, as this occurs centrally. This improves security by removing the risk of updates being ignored, where outdated and unpatched software can exist on individual employees' devices.
While there is no requirement to install any software to use Sentinel, mobile access to certain software modules is available via downloadable apps.
Sentinel apps offer an additional access channel to the platform for administrators and users. They also offer additional functionality which can include:
Once sign-up to the Sentinel platform is complete, you’ll gain web-based access to most of the platform's core functionality within 24 hours.
Sentinel is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, meaning you won’t need to spend days assessing internal hardware systems, security and software installation.
In the first 24 hours, we’ll create your own self-contained version of Sentinel. This will sit within Amazon Web Services cutting-edge cloud platform.
Once deployment is complete, you’ll gain access to your administration credentials. At this point, depending on the tools you’ve signed up for, you’ll gain console access to your own dashboard. You’ll now have access to the following functionality:
Once access to the core functionality of Sentinel is granted, it will typically take 2-3 days of effort for you to configure the platform to your personal needs.
Most of this time will be invested in uploading users and contacts, creating groups, building templates, and deciding access levels. Once complete, performing actions like mass alerting and sharing documentation becomes much quicker and easier.
If you want to extend Sentinel functionality and console access to tablets and smartphones, a white-label mobile app can be created within 5 days. This will grant you the same level of functionality made available through web-based access.
If you wish to include bespoke functionality, such as mobile device management for app distribution, this is available at a cost and will require additional development time.
Sentinel is designed with simplicity and ease of use at its core. It’s possible to master the use of the platform without training in a matter of days, depending on your technical proficiency.
If you desire training to make the most of the Sentinel platform, this can be delivered in a 3-5 hour session. Depending on availability this can be offered within the first 5-10 days following the set up of the platform.
Sentinel also offers API integration to automate platform functionality including the management of users, contacts, groups, broadcasts and documents.
Depending on your requirements, we estimate anywhere upwards of 5 days to begin automating the management of platform functionality. This timeframe factors in the research, configuration, and testing of API integration prior to deployment.
Please be aware, that access to the API requires a full Sentinel system, which is available via web access on a URL provided at the time of deployment.
There is no one answer to this question. The simplest - and arguably most vague - answer is, it depends.
It depends on how many tools you choose to use, your minute and message consumption of the communication tools, and whether you opt for additional bolt-on packages. To fully understand the flexible cost of Sentinel we need to dig a little deeper.
First, you need to understand that Sentinel is a platform which consists of a suite of software tools. Depending on the needs of your business, you may require one or multiple tools (we also refer to them as modules) available through the platform.
Each individual tool is available through a Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model. Sentinel software is hosted centrally, with access to each module licensed individually on a monthly subscription basis.
You don’t purchase a single downloadable version of the software, paying for updates and future versions. Instead, you connect to the software module through a web browser or mobile application. Always accessing the latest version, without the need to worry about updates.
So, the more tools you use, the higher your monthly baseline subscription cost.
Included, free of charge, is the ability to white label Sentinel. So you can customise the solution to reflect your individual brand.
In addition to the baseline subscription cost, a number of the communication tools have usage costs depending on your resource consumption.
This includes either the number of messages sent or the number of minutes used within a set period. For which you are invoiced on a monthly basis with an itemised bill so all costs are clear.
To ensure you control your costs we can update you throughout the month on usage to avoid overspending.
In addition to our baseline support, included free of charge, there are a number of premium support packages available.
Customisable to your needs, support packages can include 24/7 year-round support, rapid incident response, and a dedicated technical support manager. These packages are also available as a monthly subscription.
Yes, it's possible to request a 30-day free trial of the Sentinel Spaces platform.
This trial comes with no obligations to purchase and is an opportunity to discover the full capabilities of the platform in your own time.
We recommend booking some time with one of our Expert Consultants, who will guide you through each platform module.
In building the Sentinel platform, we developed a series of powerful tools specifically designed for improving crisis management.
For each of the tools we focussed on helping you to achieve three key outcomes of successful crisis management:
To deliver on these key outcomes, Sentinel tools help you with crisis management in the following ways:
All Sentinel crisis management tools are designed with simplicity in mind. Ease-of-use is the focus of the user interface, so you can perform key actions with minimal effort.
Our tools are designed so you can perform key crisis management activites quicker. Communicating and sharing key documentation faster, so people can reast sooner.
For example, pre-prepared templates and distribution groups let you send targetted crisis communications to 1000s of individuals, to any device, through multiple channels in under 60 seconds.
Powerful mass communication tools simplify the process of keeping key stakeholders informed in a timely fashion. Meanwhile, document sharing tools put mobile accessible crisis management plans in the pocket of every employee.
Tools like Hotline automate sharing critical information. So the crisis team is focussed on crisis response, not answering calls from key stakeholders in search of situation updates.
Teleconferencing and live chat tools create an ideal communication space for crisis teams to make key decisions and coordinate crisis response efforts.
Every communication and action on the Sentinel platform is recorded for post-crisis analysis. Built-in reports present key information helping you improve your crisis management plans and processes for future incidents.
The Sentinel platform is a collection of document distribution, communication, and reporting tools for improving your business continuity.
Unlike other business continuity software, focussed on plan creation, Sentinel is designed to support your business continuity during major disruption events. Our tools offer practical solutions to mobilise your plans, communicate critical information, make key decisions, and more.
Below are a number of ways outling how the Sentinel platform helps you with business continuity practices during an event.
Once converted into digital documents, Sentinel ensures your business continuity plans are accessible anytime, anywhere. Our independent cloud platform is accessible through desktop, tablet, and mobile device - as long as you have signal, you can always access key documents even when internal systems are compromised.
Sentinel also offers mobile app access Android and iPhone devices - giving you the ability to create a local offline-accessible version of your business continuity documents.
Sentinel mass communication functionality lets you create and send business continuity documents to a targetted group of individuals in under 60 seconds.
Mass alerting blasts can be sent to any device via communication channels including email, SMS, chat channels and in-app messaging.
Any changes made to your business continuity plans are instantly available on the Sentinel platform once published.
Push functionality in our mobile app means users automatically download new documents, or update existing ones without having to do anything. So even when offline, you can be confident your team have the most up-to-date information.
Sentinel combines distribution groups and identifty access management features to ensure that documents are sent to, and can only be accessed to by the right people. Keeping critical documents and sensitive information secure.
Create and send templated mass alerts to the whole business - or targetted individuals - in under 60 seconds. Action your business continuity plans and provide critical information on disruption events as they unfold.
Send your alerts to any device via instant messages, push notifications, SMS, email, and programmable voice.
Create secure live chat groups where the business continuity team and key stakeholders can collaborate during critical events. Using instant messaging, the team can communicate in real-time to exchange vital information, problem solve, and make key decisions to maintain business continuity of key working operations.
As an independent platform with mobile access, Sentinel Chat Channels are available anytime, anywhere, even when internal systems are compromised.
Sentinel tracks all activities performed on the platform to create a detailed and accurate record of events for auditing purposes. These records are stored securely in line with GDPR requirements on your independent system.
Activity tracking and built-in reporting functionality lets you create detailed reports at the click of a button for post-event analysis. Discover valuable insight about your response efforts and how they impacted your business continuity efforts.
Explore the effectiveness of communication blasts, analyse who made what decisions and when, or who ignored vital communications. All this information is invaluable in improving future business continuity plans and processes.
Most providers of business continuity software focus entirely on the preparation phase of business continuity. Offering a suite of tools aimed only at the creation of business continuity plans and simplifying this process.
Sentinel is unique, focussing instead on what to do once your plans are created, the response phase of business continuity. Making sure these plans make it into the hands of the right people at the right time, always up-to-date and accessible. After all, what’s the point of having a business continuity plan if it’s not readily available when disaster inevitably strikes.
Our platform also offers a selection of independent communication tools for alerting and collaboration during disruption. Mass notification software lets you quickly distribute documents, and alert key stakeholders to respond and mobilise business continuity plans as events unfold. While live chat functionally creates a space for knowledge exchange, problem-solving, focussing response efforts and making key decisions.
Additionally, Sentinel tracking functionality records all activities, actions, and communications with integrated reporting tools for auditing and post-event analysis for future improvement of plans and processes.
To find out more about the platform, you can book a personalised demo of Sentinel, or email us on enquiries@sentinelresilience.com.
In developing Sentinel, we built a series of powerful communication, collaboration, and file distribution tools. They are designed to be intuitive, and easy to use. Making complex and otherwise time consuming activities simple.
When used for crisis communications, Sentinel delivers signficant improvements including the ability to:
Using the Sentinel Mass Alerting module, teams can create pre-approved crisis communication broadcasts for a range of crisis scenarios, combining message templates and distribution lists.
When these set scenarios occur, your crisis communications can be sent within minutes. This creates a range of crisis communication improvements:
Sentinel Chat Channels and Secure Instant Teleconferencing modules deliver purpose-built spaces for your teams to communicate and collaborate in crisis situations.
Whether through instant messages or voice conference calls, Sentinel connects your teams to exchange information, establish facts, debate and formulate decisions in real-time. Focussing your response efforts to accelerate crisis resolution, while keeping your key audiences safe and updated throughout the situation.
Sentinel empowers your teams with access to crisis communication tools and documentation, regardless of their location.
Whether in the office, at home, or on the move, teams can begin crisis communications and response efforts immediately through their chosen internet-connected desktop, tablet, or smartphone device.
Utilising the full functionality of the platform through a web browser or mobile app access.
In extreme crisis situations - cyber-attacks, power outages, natural disasters - your primary systems could be compromised, inaccessible or permanently offline.
Sentinel was developed for these worst-case scenarios. Providing an independent cloud-based platform built for resilience. Designed to provide crisis communication tools that remain available when all other systems fail.
Giving you the power to send targeted crisis communication mass alerts through secure and trusted channels. And providing backup communication channels where crisis and PR teams can continue to coordinate response efforts.
The Sentinel File Management module delivers a secure space to host, distribute and provide access to critical files and digital documents.
As an independent cloud-based system, the Sentinel platform ensures your critical documents are always available and accessible, even when internal systems fail. So your teams can access critical files like crisis communication plans and emergency contact lists.
Combined with the Sentinel Mass Alerting module, you can distribute these files to targeted recipients as crisis events occur. So teams have the plans and processes they need to respond accordingly.
Supporting both web browser and mobile app access, Sentinel ensures critical files and digital documents can be accessed anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Through the Sentinel Enterprise App module, you gain functionality to download these files to local devices for offline accessibility.
Sentinel tracks all actions, activities, and communications performed on the platform. This is made available in a detailed audit log, enriched with timestamp information.
Built-in reporting and analytics functionality lets you conduct in-depth post-crisis analysis of response efforts. You can unlock valuable insights like:
All of this information can be used to identify areas for improvement in future crisis communications. This can involve training, updates to crisis communication plans, or changing the channels you use to communicate in crisis situations.
Activities, actions, and communications cannot be edited or deleted. Ensuring you get a complete and accurate picture of the events that occurred during the crisis. So vital information or mistakes aren’t misplaced or hidden.
Alertline
Alaris
Chat Channels
Crisis Simulations
Hotline
PiNG
Video Crisis Rooms
Visitor Alerting
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