Lev Deich, Director 911 Enable, a division of Connexon Telecom Inc. | Photo credit: Connexon Telecom Inc.
Instead of telephone wires connected to the respective 911 dispatchers, 911 Enable, a division of Connexon, uses the internet to send signals directly to its headquarters in Montreal. They are then triaged to the appropriate location.
Eight years ago, the company founders discovered a niche and developed the necessary technology. Today, they sell across North America to businesses, schools and government organizations.
“Our 911 Enable system recognizes precisely where a medical emergency is in a building. It can alert a point person in that office who then assists by contacting the building’s public security force.They can even listen in on the call and take over if the disabled person is in total distress and cannot speak.”
How did he start?
While studying engineering at Concordia, Deich worked part time at Ericsson, where he was hired permanently upon graduation. He credits the high-tech giant for placing him in a special cross-departmental program where he learned how to navigate new product development working in small teams.
“It was as if I was functioning in a small start-up business, but with the strength of an established firm behind me,” says Deich. “I was surrounded by very smart people who offered me hands-on experience.”
In 2005 an entrepreneurial family member asked if he would help create a product using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.
Montreal staff responsible for providing 911 Enable to organizations in North America | Photo credit: Connexon Telecom Inc.