There is a lot a talk about plugging a panic button into the USB port of a computer. Why would someone want a USB panic button? Simple, there is no hard wiring involved. You don’t need to have someone from your alarm company come and wire through your phone system. Furthermore, if you change your office around, the panic button provider has to come back and relocate the panic button. The construction can create a lot of chaos in the office and could also be very costly. A USB panic button takes away from that so you can change your office around whenever you want. You also have the flexibility to move the USB panic button to another computer at any time.

How does a USB Panic Button Work?

There are several types of USB panic buttons on the market. I can’t explain how all of them work because they vary from system to system. However, CRS has multiple USB panic buttons for our Notify system that operate in conjunction with your computer. Our USB panic buttons are adaptable and will work on any computer running the CRS Notify program. The one featured below is one of our standard USB wired hardware devices. The panic button has two-level alert buttons and has a mountable casing.  The brackets are on both ends of the device so the button can be mounted under a desk with ease.

Our USB panic buttons are programmed in-house by one of our qualified technicians.  The hardware buttons are shipped directly to our clients’ door. When the USB panic button arrives, plug it into any computer operating the CRS Notify program. Once your computer reads this new USB device, it automatically works with the CRS Notify system.

What Happens Once the USB Panic Button Arrives?

Let’s say you want to put the hardware button at Sally’s computer. You have the option for her blue button to have an individual notification message, and her red button to have an entirely different message. To set the preconfigured messages, first, log in to your CRS Notify management portal. Then under the user’s tab, go to Sally’s profile where you can customize what you want these buttons to say if an alert is initiated. The information you input is what will be broadcasted out through CRS Notify’s multiple communication channels. Notifications are sent out via the computer panic button software, mobile device application, automated phone call, email, and text message. The message that you input will be forwarded out to the recipients listed in your management portal.

By default, you can raise an alert using your computer mouse from the CRS Notify tray icon. That function does not go away if you install one of our optional USB hardware devices. The USB panic button is just an additional way to be able to raise an alert. Depending on the situation, it may be more discreet to raise an alert with the USB device rather than the software application.

What are Other Types of Panic Buttons?

We also offer the two-button wireless panic device. We send the wireless fobs out on a lanyard, and they are the size of a car entry key fob. The receiver is also a USB driven device. The receiver is programmed to work with the wireless fob for a distance of approximately 750 ft., depending on geographical and structural barriers. The two-button wireless is excellent if you have a receptionist who is filing or even nurses at the nurses’ stations.

In addition, we offer a one-button mountable wireless device that you can mount on a wall throughout your facility. We have clients that put them in common areas such as gyms, lunchrooms, libraries, etc. These devices have a distance of approximately 1,000 ft., depending on geographical and structural barriers.  The panic button is programmed to a USB receiver installed in a computer running the CRS Notify system. You can mount the panic buttons throughout your facility, and there is no hard wiring. We also have a one-button stationary hardware device that is also USB driven. However, these buttons allow you to have just one alert level, unlike the two button options.

NOW, WHAT?

With the two-button USB panic button, you can have different level alerts.  You can program the red button to be for a high-level alert. ” Emergency send help NOW!” With the high-level alert, you can notify all staff of the emergency at once. CRS Notify also offers E911 for locations where it is accepted by your local 911 public safety answering point (PSAP). Also, you can program the blue button to be a low-level alert. “There is a creepy guy out in the main entrance. Please stand by.”  With the low-level alert option, you can send managers a phone call, text message, email, or alert his/her computer without everyone being notified.

You can change the text to whatever message you want for that user on that workstation through your CRS dashboard. There are some excellent options for using the USB panic buttons versus the old hardwired outdated buttons. Hardwired buttons take several minutes to alert one responder. That is a lifetime during a crisis. A USB panic button is more affordable than any hardwired button. Furthermore, a USB panic button lowers notification times down to seconds if not instantaneous with the CRS Notify system. Instead of alerting just one responder, you can inform multiple people using multiple channels. This rapid notification allows employees a chance to respond appropriately to a crisis. This type of mass notification also gives staff options to handle the situation efficiently for a more favorable outcome.

Still Unsure About a USB Panic Button?

Contact us for more information to make the best decision for your USB panic button.

info@teamalert.com or 800-533-7201 M-F 8-5 pm CST