Cloud-Based Voice Broadcast Solution from CallFire Helps Bob’s Stores Blunt Impact of Superstorm Sandy, Winter Storm Nemo

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--There’s an old saying, “In fair weather prepare for foul.”

“We were able to notify our associates at the home office and distribution center”

That’s precisely what Meriden, Conn.-based Bob’s Stores did. Recognizing that bad weather is a constant threat, the popular retailer of brand name active-wear, team-wear and work-wear with 35 stores in the Northeast partnered with CallFire (www.CallFire.com), a leader in cloud telephony, to plan for the inevitable: a storm with enough punch to disrupt operations.

So when Superstorm Sandy ripped across the northeast in October 2012, leaving millions underwater, without power and, in many cases, unable to get to work, Bob’s was ready to communicate with its entire team within a matter of minutes – and for pennies on the dollar.

Rita Bertone, director of Purchasing and Office Services at Bob’s Stores and a member of its Business Continuity Team, contacted CallFire in the spring of 2011 looking for a fast, reliable and affordable way to connect with the company’s associates in the event of bad weather or another emergency.

“In the past, our associates had to call-in to the switchboard for important messages, and there was no way to reach everyone at the same time and with the same message,” said Bertone. “We needed a practical, efficient and affordable way to connect with our associates and to quickly provide them with pertinent corporate and store operation information.”

Enter CallFire, which recommended a voice broadcast solution. With only an Internet connection and a phone line, Bertone would be able to record voice messages, upload a list of associate phone numbers, and instantaneously distribute the message to every associate. Rather than commit Bob’s Stores to a lengthy contract, CallFire established the relationship on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Fast-forward to last fall and Hurricane Sandy. Within minutes of activating her CallFire account, Bertone was able to send a message that the retailer would be closed due to extreme weather conditions. Three months later, in the wake of Winter Storm Nemo, Bob’s Stores once again deployed the notification system to provide real-time updates about store closings.

“We were able to notify our associates at the home office and distribution center,” Bertone said. “Nearly 100 percent of the calls were answered successfully, and our associates were extremely happy with the service. The service was fantastic, and we definitely will use it again.”

“Bob’s Stores has exactly the right strategy – think ahead and act accordingly,” said Dinesh Ravishanker, CEO, CallFire. “The most encouraging thing about implementing any kind of emergency notification system is that doing so is simply smart business. It’s surprisingly easy and affordable, and what it saves – in terms of business loss and human anguish – can be immeasurable.”

About CallFire

CallFire (callfire.com) simplifies telephony, making sophisticated, expensive carrier class telecom capabilities available through an affordable, easy-to-use GUI and API platform. Any business, from start-up to enterprise, can reach its customers on any device, using text messaging or voice, with CallFire’s massively scalable, cloud telecom platform. CallFire products include Voice APIs, Business Text Messaging, Voice Broadcast, Local Phone Numbers, Call Tracking, IVR, Power Dialing for agents and more. Call analytics enable CallFire’s 50,000 users to reach customers more often using text marketing, virtual numbers, auto dialers and mobile messaging. For more information, please visit www.callfire.com or call 877.897.FIRE