U.S. Air Force AETC Deploys AtHoc IWSAlerts at Sheppard Air Force Base - Taking a Step Closer to Command-wide Network-centric Emergency Alerting System

AtHoc IWSAlerts Fulfills Sheppard AFB's Need to Comply with Air Force Instruction 10-2501 for Air Force Emergency Management Planning and Operations

BURLINGAME, Ca. (June 13, 2006) - AtHoc, Inc. today announced that Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) has successfully deployed AtHoc IWSAlertsT to provide base-wide emergency notification using the base's Internet protocol (IP) network. Sheppard is the fifth base under Air Education and Training Command (AETC) to fully deploy the system, marking another milestone in AETC's journey toward a Command-wide network-centric alerting system.

In 2005, AETC named AtHoc IWSAlerts the Command standard for network-centric alerting. The thirteen bases under the Command were expected to deploy the system over a two year period. Once fully deployed, the AETC Command will be equipped with state-of-the art emergency communications capabilities that strengthen its antiterrorism and force protection initiatives, including: the ability to alert all bases to potential threats with a single push of a button; integrated alerting through the network, telephone and Giant Voice system, all managed through AtHoc IWSAlerts; and the ability to reach any personnel using a network-connected device in times of emergency with targeted messages and instructions for action.

Sheppard AFB has fully deployed AtHoc IWSAlerts and uses the system to meet its critical alerting needs for force protection, operational readiness, antiterrorism and weather warnings. This system also helps the base prepare for its operational readiness inspections (ORI), the inspector general's periodic test of numerous base capabilities including its ability to communicate immediately to all personnel about threats. With AtHoc IWSAlerts, Sheppard AFB is able to reach all personnel via the 9,000 network-connected computers with Air Force-standard audio and visual alerts in an average of one minute.

The alerts, in the form of pop-up windows accompanied by an optional audio alarm, describe the potential threat, categorize the threat level and include instructions for action. These alerts comply with DoD standard signals and messaging specifications appropriate to Force Protection Conditions (FPCONs), watches, warnings, evacuation routes, battle staff directives and other federal, Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Air Force, AETC and Sheppard-specific emergency notifications.

"Sheppard Air Force Base's Command Center now has an effective way to quickly contact personnel with critical information in times of emergency - regardless of what the emergency is," said Mr. Dennis Hollis of the AETC Communications and Information Directorate's Plans Division. "This alerting system, already installed at four bases before Sheppard, continues to grow in strength as its use spreads throughout AETC. The entire Command is better able to protect personnel. AtHoc IWSAlerts plays a critical role in our three-pronged alerting system that includes network-centric, Giant Voice and telephony alerts."

Currently, weather-related alerts make up the vast majority of alerts sent through the system. Being northwest of Dallas, Texas, Sheppard Air Force Base is right in the midst of tornado alley. In addition to tornadoes, northern Texas has its share of severe weather, including hail (up to softball size) and thunderstorms. Though the system is most often used for weather warnings, the system also helps to ensure that the base is ready for any type of threat or attack - whether from Mother Nature or from a human source.

Depending on the scenario, AtHoc IWSAlerts allows Sheppard's Command Center to disseminate emergency alerts to all base personnel. Using AtHoc IWSAlerts, Sheppard's Command Center can determine who needs to be alerted about the situation as well as what information and instructions should be sent.

"Sheppard Air Force Base's use of AtHoc IWSAlerts will improve the installation's ability to quickly react to threats. In times of emergency, the speed of response is critical," said Guy Miasnik, AtHoc's president and CEO. "AETC is well on its way toward protecting its full staff through effective threat and information dissemination using one of the bases' most pervasive assets - the network."

AtHoc IWSAlerts is the only enterprise-class commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) networked alerting systems that have received Defense Information Technology Security Certification and Accreditation Process (DITSCAP) certification and a Certification to Operate (CTO) and Approval to Operate (ATO) on AETC's network.

About AtHoc, Inc.

AtHoc provides enterprise-class network-centric alerting systems for emergency notifications, force protection readiness, anti-terror warnings and critical communications. AtHoc offers a broad set of alerting solutions for the government/defense agencies and commercial enterprises, including IWSAlertsT for Network-based Emergency Mass Notifications; C2AlertsT for Targeted User Alerts in Command & Control / C4I Operations Center; KMAlertsT for Knowledge and Intelligence Dissemination; and EmployeeAlertsT for critical Corporate Communications. AtHoc has partnered with Microsoft, Northrop Grumman and IBM to bring these notifications solutions to the enterprise market. The U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Air Force, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Boeing, eBay and Juniper Networks are some of the world-class organizations that have selected and deployed AtHoc for their critical enterprise notifications needs.

For more information on AtHoc, please visit http://www.athoc.com.