DisasterLAN

Pros: Configurable-DisasterLAN is able to flex and bend to our EOC structure Big Tent-We can bring all of our emergency management partners together for collaborative management, whether or not they able to access city networks and other firewall barriers Customer Service-Buffalo Computer Graphics treat our problems like their own; they work with us to resolve issues; they are quick to respond, and provide effective solutions Continuous Improvement-DisasterLAN is continually improving; they offer frequent updates and roll out new features

Cons: For DisasterLAN for function the best, it is necessary to send admin time on the front end to configure and optimize. This takes trial-and-error to set-up and test. Because it is highly configurable, it meets our needs. This flexibility does require attention to set-up before the emergency incident occurs.

Pros: Ease of use, and clear, uniform information sharing with appropriate partners as well as visual resource request and tracking process. Integration with ArcGIS Online is a very valuable feature.

Cons: I like it all. It serves out needs very well.

Pros: Easy to use platform with great training and support.

Cons: Software does not always operate the same on mobile devices.

Pros: the software works well, if we ever have a problem of can't figure out to do something the support staff is always available to help. They are very responsive to additions or changes we would like to see.

Cons: I cannot think of any real cons with the software.

Pros: DLAN offers a lot of functionality in a well-integrated package. Information is the lifeblood of effective assessment, preparation, and response for emergencies and disruptions. DLAN lets your team effectively take in, navigate, and work through information flows that would otherwise end up being chaotic. Text-based, visual, geographic, and data-based information are all brought together in various ways to enable decision-makers, analysts, and direct responders to work more effectively as a coordinated whole. Using DLAN our people are able to communicate, coordinate and collaborate across a large geographic footprint during planning, preparation, response and recovery. DLAN's integrations and workflows take things well beyond ad-hoc cobbling together of email and other common general-use tools.

Cons: UI and UX are weak points though I suspect this is also the case with other comparable platforms. For those used to using the range of SaaS providers currently out there for various purposes, you'll have experience with different UI/UX design approaches. If you've used a range of purchased apps on your phones and tablets, you'll also have experienced a different slew of UI/UX design approaches. Some are better than others, some more intuitive than others. When I train others on the platform, I often tell them "Engineers developed this thing, not designers. The functionality is there, but the names, locations, and clickflow are often not intuitive." Some modules that allow for collaborative content creation & modification are sequentially-collaborative rather than simultaneously-collaborative like Google Docs or other platforms. When describing to people that a particular module is "collaborative", these days users immediately think of simutaneous collaboration.

Pros: As an Emergency Preparedness Program Manager for Bruce Power, I worked effectively with BCG to shape specific aspects of DLAN to meet our needs for data input into the software prior to implementing on site. It was beneficial to be able to custom develop forms and make preparation for automated input into the system to meet our needs. BCG was very accommodating and a pleasure to work with in this regard. Flexibility in creating custom dashboards and ease in retreiving automated trends is very useful to meet the needs of consolidating complex data sets to support a timely situational awareness and effective decision-making process. The cloud-based approach provides an excellent avenue for ease in secure data sharing with multiple agencies.

Cons: It is difficult to pinpoint anything negative about DLAN in comparison to other products on the market.

Pros: FutureShield has been involved in re-selling EOC software since 2006. We have worked with many solutions and settled on DLAN to support the requirements of a BC based university and then again for the PanAM and Parapan Games in 2015. From there, we haven't looked back. DLAN is a comprehensive web-based solution (either cloud-based or installed at client sites) with a mobile responsive interface allowing it to be used in a physical or virtual EOC. We have had many Canadian organizations choose DLAN and they are very happy with the IMS/ICS forms, Sitrep and IAP automation, logs, ticket-based incident management, single-button reporting as well as flexible dashboards. For those looking to replace white boards, paper forms, and out-dated and less flexible solutions in the EOC, DLAN is a great choice.

Cons: FutureShield does not have any negative comments to make for DLAN.