B&G Equipment and Supply Embraces New Technology to Keep Employees Safer

Online, April 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - B&G Equipment and Supply is now able to keep its employees safer while driving through the use of ZoomSafer, the leading provider of policy management software for smartphones.

ZoomSafer uses GPS in combination with client software installed on smartphones to automatically determine when a user is moving faster than 15 mph. Once triggered, ZoomSafer locks a phone's keypad and screen and remains engaged until the user is finished driving and turns the program off. Among a wide variety of configurable features, ZoomSafer suppresses inbound text and emails and can automatically reply on your behalf informing others that you're driving and that you'll get back to them once you reach your destination safely.

Because mobile phones are critical to business productivity, ZoomSafer seamlessly integrates the use of hands-free services so users can make and receive phone calls in a safe and legal manner.

"At B&G, safety is our number one priority. We knew that our employees were at a high risk due to their desire to be immediately responsive to our customers and management team, so we had to remove the temptation to respond to texts or emails when it wasn't safe to do so," said Eric Hudson, Director of Planning and Administration for B&G Equipment and Supply. "Mobile phones are critical to our productivity as a company. However, when used while driving, mobile phones pose a serious danger to our employees as well as an expensive liability to our company."

B&G Equipment and Supply is one of the few U.S. corporations to implement policies prohibiting employees from using mobile phones while driving. Only about 20 percent of corporations currently have policies in place.

"Unfortunately, without management tools to ensure compliance, companies have to depend entirely on employee self-enforcement when it comes to preventing texting or emailing while driving," said ZoomSafer CEO Matt Howard. "While documenting a corporate policy is a terrific first step toward managing risks, by itself a paper policy is not enough to reduce the risk of crashes and minimize liability. In order for a company to truly protect their employees and their business, they needed the active ability to help drivers make better choices so they are less distracted and more focused."

CareerBuilder recently surveyed more than 5,000 mobile professionals and found that more than half of workers admit to checking their smartphones while driving and 21 percent check their device every time it beeps, buzzes or rings. Sales workers (66 percent) used their smartphones while driving more than any other group surveyed, followed by 59 percent of professional and business services workers and 50 percent of health care workers. Many of the respondents felt the need to stay connected with co-workers and customers even while driving to maintain higher levels of productivity.

To find out more about ZoomSafer and how it can work for you or your company please visit www.zoomsafer.com.

About B&G Equipment and Supply

B&G Equipment and Supply is a multi-location renter and seller of top-of-the-line equipment and construction supplies. As the successor organization to Brasfield & Gorrie's original equipment shop, B&G Equipment and Supply formally organized in 1997. Since that time B&G has grown into a major player in the construction industry, serving thousands of builders, contractors, and other professionals.

About ZoomSafer

For corporations, families and individuals, ZoomSafer is simple and inexpensive software that prevents motorists from texting and emailing and ensures safe, legal and hands-free use of mobile phones while driving. For more information, please visit www.zoomsafer.com.

For more information, please contact Tara Train with B&G Equipment and Supply at 205-423-7004 or [email protected] or Jason Ovitt with ZoomSafer at 847-275-2553 or [email protected].