SouthernLINC Wireless has announced that it has been selected to provide service and phones to the Alabama Department of Human Resources as part of a pilot program for social workers in Jefferson County.

SouthernLINC Wireless is supplying more than 160 highly-durable Motorola i880 camera phones with TeleNav Track, a mobile resource management service, which includes GPS-enabled wireless reporting forms, dispatch and scheduling features, turn-by-turn navigation and wireless timecard reporting.

"With SouthernLINC Wireless phones and TeleNav Track, our social workers can respond to clients faster and with more flexibility," said Barry Spear, public information officer with Alabama Department of Human Resources. "The use of the phones and service is already proving to be successful."

An added benefit of the software is that it helps achieve a greater level of productivity and improves safety. For example, when a social worker is at the same location for more than 90 minutes, TeleNav Track sends an alert to his or her supervisor, prompting a call to check for any problems.

Spear noted that oftentimes the department's social workers make home visits in high-crime neighborhoods, and the new SouthernLINC Wireless phones allow supervisors to more effectively monitor and interact with their team, so they know that they are safe. He added, "It's a proactive measure that gives us peace of mind."

In addition to the TeleNav Track software, the ADHR is using the Motorola i880's camera functionalities. The device enables social workers to take photos during home visits and send them in real time to supervisors for advice or instruction.

"Jefferson County social workers needed a wireless communications system that provided workforce management, extra safety features and navigation functionality with extensive coverage in rural and metro areas," said Bob Dawson, president and chief executive officer of SouthernLINC Wireless.

"Our experience serving public sector and government agencies coupled with our coverage area in Alabama and the TeleNav Track software made SouthernLINC Wireless a natural fit for this pilot program."

All of the Jefferson County social workers have been using SouthernLINC Wireless phones for their wireless communication needs since the first week of May.