International SOS is the world's largest medical and travel security company, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of Fortune Global 500 companies as clients. International SOS specializes in medical assistance, travel safety advice and information, emergency services, health care, evacuation, and repatriation. The company was founded in 1985 to provide medical advice and security assistance, travel to organizations with people living and traveling abroad. International SOS operates from over 1,000 locations in 90 countries and takes around 5 million calls each year.
International SOS focuses on helping organizations and their people reduce exposure, and reduce, risk when traveling abroad. Their services include pre-travel information, pre-travel health programs, travel safety education, advice, medical equipment, and support services.
It provides services around the world including assessing medical and security risks, advising on prevention programs and assisting with emergency response for travelers, expatriates and their dependents. This activity is provided through 26 aid centers including Bali, Beijing, Dubai, Jakarta, London, Paris, Philadelphia, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo. These centers are managed by doctors, nurses, operations managers, multilingual coordinators and logistical support personnel.
International SOS is a private company. They work with educational organizations, corporate clients (including most Fortune Global 500), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government organizations.
International SOS is one of the first companies to offer travel tracking services. TravelTracker, their flagship technology product, monitors the travel of 3 million people, helping organizations find their workers in crisis. TravelTracker is a component of the SOS International travel risk management program, also including risk assessment, client suggestions, and providing assistance when needed.
Video International SOS
Organization
International SOS has dual headquarters in Singapore and London. Its operations are divided into six regions: America, Europe, EEMEA (Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa), Indonesia, Asia and Australia. All of its help centers have ISO 9001: 2008 Global certification.
It also has a global network of external service providers including specialists, hospitals, ambulances, charter aircraft and security personnel. These centers are managed by doctors, nurses, operations managers, multilingual coordinators and logistical support personnel.
Maps International SOS
Personnel
The organization has about 11,000 employees worldwide, of which 1,400 are full-time doctors and 200 are security specialists. International SOS has a global network of 26 Help Centers managed by doctors, nurses, operations managers, multilingual coordinators and logistical support personnel.
Joint Venture with Risk Control
International SOS and Control Risks established a joint venture in 2008 to provide travel advice and security assistance to clients. Risk Control is an independent, global risk consultancy specializing in politics, integrity, and security risks.
Aeromedical Services
International SOS operates air ambulance services from South Africa, Singapore, China, Papua New Guinea, and the Middle East. International SOS flew 18,000 emergency cases in 2008.
Their ambulance air transport services and scheduled flights are ISO 9001: 2008 certified.
International SOS is a member and a contributor to the BARS Flight Safety Foundation (Basic Aviation Risk Standard).
Air ambulance is used across borders and islands such as saving Singaporeans affected by the Sabah earthquake in Malaysia.
History
1985: Pascal Rey-Herme, a physician, and Arnaud Vaissià © à ©, an entrepreneur, founded a company (later called AEA International) in 1985 to provide medical aid services to expatriate communities and international organizations operating in Southeast Sulawesi Asia. Over the next decade, the company grew from its base in Singapore and Indonesia to a pan-Asian company, operating in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and mainland China. Major clients include oil and gas companies with operations in remote locations.
1998: AEA International receives International SOS Assistance, a Corporate Group founded in 1974 by Claude Giroux, a Canadian businessman, who created the world's largest medical aid company. Originally, it was known as AEA International SOS, and renamed International SOS in 1999. The acquisition expands the company to the United States, Russia and Eastern Europe and eventually Africa and the Middle East. Travel safety and security services are added to the offer.
Growth and Acquisition
The company's growth is partly generated by a number of joint ventures and acquisitions, including:
2008
- Launches a strategic alliance with Risk Control, to offer a combination of medical and security services
- Acquired MedAire, the long distance medical and aviation services provider for aviation and maritime
2009
- Acquired a majority stake in Abermed, UK-based long-distance health and medical services provider to the energy sector
- Opening Latin America division
2010
- Develop strategic alliances with RMSI, international rapid rescue and medical rescue services, with activities in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia and Pakistan
2011
- Join the VIPdesk, a concierge service, customer care, and loyalty program of North America
- Acquired SMI medical supplies division (Service MÃÆ' Â © dical International)
- Further expand its medical distribution service through acquisition of L.E. West, EMC, Shenton Pharmacy and Nutracare Pharma
- Launched a joint venture in Brazil with International Health Care
2012
- Acquisition of EMSM, concierge and lifestyle company in South Korea
- International SOS moved its headquarters to Chiswick Park, West London
2013
- Launches the Aspire Lifestyles brand, offers loyalty, concierge and assistance services
- Acquisition of Norwegian company SBHT, KBHT, Haugaland HMS and Nordic Medical Services (NMS)
- Partnered with Aerosafety, a medical and aviation safety equipment company in Brazil
2014
- Launch the Australian Response Service, an emergency, rescue, and recovery service provider
- Entered into partnership with AMAS Medical Services in India
- Acquired Aeromed in Mozambique
- Creating a strategic partnership with Western Africa Rescue Association (WARA), a clinic and medical services company in West Africa
2015
- Celebrate the 30th anniversary with the launch of a new logo, brand identity, and website.
2016
- Strategic Partnership with Everbridge
- Partner with Uber for Business
- Launch of the SOS Foundation International Treatment Award
2017
- Integrated Care Cares with Rocketrip
- Partnering collaboration with Global Excel
- Cooperation partnership with Iqarus
- Launch of Trip Tracker Incident Support
- Launch of the world's first emotional support service for mobile workforce
- Acquisition of International Health Solutions
- Aspire Lifestyle, an International SOS company, extends to Turkey
- Launch of digital consulting service from Aberdeen Health Center
- Launch of the International SOS Care Foundation Meeting
Essential Milestones & Events
International SOS has provided medical advice, assistance, and travel safety services during and after a number of major incidents.
1998 Evacuation assistance provided during the riots in Jakarta.
2000 Beginning client support during major sporting events, including the Olympics in Sydney (2000), Athens (2004), Beijing (2008) and London (2012); and the Asian Games 2010.
2001 Travel search services added to the online platform.
2003 Providing medical assistance during the SARS outbreak, including utilizing a portable medical isolation unit to transport infected patients.
2004 Leads emergency medical and security responses to the Boxing Day Tsunami, and provides long-term assistance, including the establishment of the North Sumatra Assistance Fund.
2005 Medical assistance was provided in response to Hurricane Wilma.
2006 International SOS medical transport became the first direct flight between mainland China and Taiwan to be flown since 1949.
2008 TravelTracker launches, a travel tracking service that combines excellent services from SOS and International Risk Controls. Award-winning apps now track over 2.5 million travelers per year. Provide advice and assistance after the Mumbai terrorist attacks and assist those directly affected by the event.
2010 Sends the team to coordinate evacuations immediately after the Haiti earthquake. Began offering preventive programs to help companies fulfill obligations of care obligations to employees traveling and working abroad. This initiative led to the distribution of online medical and safety information and warnings online, and developed travel preparation and risk mitigation programs.
2011
- Co-ordinated evacuations follow the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
- During the Arab Spring help clients track and evacuate employees from various locations
- Launch International SOS Help App - iOS and iPhone Android phone apps. This mobile app connects business travelers with global response capabilities of SOS International, including one-click dialing for help from the nearest SOS International Help Center, quick access to the latest location-specific travel warnings and real-time health and safety advice
2014
- During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the International SOS provided medical advice, equipment, and educational resources provided during the outbreak. Ebola's public service announcements are also produced and broadcast across West and East Africa.
- A team deployed to the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu after Cyclone Pam.
2015
- Assist and provide emergency medical evacuation services for Sabah earthquake victims in Malaysia.
- Providing evacuation advice and assistance to clients during the Yemen crisis.
- Launches the latest version of Pandemic Information, an online portal that displays information about, and analysis, the emergence of infectious disease outbreaks.
- Became the first company in the world to be certified in the delivery of Telehealth services to the international standard ISO/TS 13131: ED1 2014. One of the benefits of the ISO/TS 13131 standard is the provision of quality telehealth services that ensure seamless cooperation globally, system interoperability and reliable delivery standards. This standard allows for increased diagnostic certainty, maximizing opportunities to ensure correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment early on. It also promotes continuity of care and accelerates the path of clinical care by utilizing telehealth interventions, becoming highly relevant for patients in more remote locations or locations with reduced provision of health care.
- Generate 2016 Travel Risk Map, the world's first integrated medical risk map and travel risk
- Named provider number one for personal security and medical emergency services in the benchmark study, Policy in Practice 2015: Business Traveler by Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM)
2016
- Clients and travelers are advised about the Zika 2015/2016 virus epidemic and how to reduce their exposure to viruses
- Advise the public on the security of travel following the attacks in Paris and Brussels
- Generate 2017 Travel Risk Map and accompany Ipsos MORI 'Risk & amp; Reality Study. This study reveals the perception of business decision makers
- The enhanced Travel Tracking Solution is launched
- Makiko Yui, MD M.P.H Receives Marco Polo's Gift for Treatment
2017
- Support Business Leaders at Fortune 2017 Global Forum
- Create a 2018 Travel Risk Map and complete the Ipsos Business Durability study of MORI. Rising Travel Map Risk includes social media sharing buttons.
- Obtained ISO/IEC 27001 Certificate for Information Security Management in connection with the development and support of all international SOS international medical and travel security services.
- Become a Gold Member from Continuity Institute Business
2018
- Dr. Oriol Mitja studied Yaws eradication published in The Lancet.
- Chatham House and SOS International sign partnership agreement
- Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the alliance with Risk Control
- Launch of Medsea Marine Medical Assistance Chinese service
Awards
International SOS has received the following awards and awards:
2009 Arnaud VaissiÃÆ' © © awards Ernst and Young Entrepreneur from The Year Award
2012 The 'Benchmarking Study Maintenance Study' Award won the EMMA 'Best Research Study of the Year'.
2014
- Best Finalists in Travel & Technology Business Service award, Grand Prix des Lauriers
- Finalists for this Year's (Special) Risk Management Products and Best Technology Usage in Risk Management - CIR Magazine
2015
- TravelTracker 6.0 wins Business Travel Products/Best Business Travel Service Provider Selected Awards for Best Technology Innovation in Relocation - Re: Search for Awards
- Business Travel Awards/Best Business Providers - Business Travel Awards
2016
- The International SOS and Control Risks receive the Individual Alliance Excellence Award from the Association of Strategic Strategic Alliances. This award recognizes excellence in the planning, implementation, and outcomes of a single alliance.
2017
- Emerging Risk Solution of the Year, FERMA/European Commercial Risk Appreciation For TravelTracker and new Incident Events Management solution. The judges commented that the International SOS uses the latest technology "to track, communicate with and report employee risk exposure better than ever.This tool allows risk managers to focus on business continuity to help operations resume normally during the crisis."
- This year's Risk Management Products, CIR Risk Management Award For Travel and Incident Tracking Service solutions.
- Health Care Provider and International Risk Management This Year, FEM EMMA EMEA Awards For health and support services. The judges said: "International SOS combines technological solutions and constant focus on improving to achieve a high level customer experience.
- International SOS was named the winner in four categories at EMMA America: Best use of Data Analytics in Global Mobility, Utilization of the Most Innovative Technology in Global Mobility - Recipient Management, International Healthcare and Risk Management Providers of the Year and Leadership Thought - Best Survey or Research Study of the Year.
- StevieÃ,® Silver Award Winner at 'The Most Innovative Company of the Year for 2500 employees' category in the 15th Annual Business Awards America
2018
- Malaysian-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards, Corporate Social Responsibility Award. International SOS Malaysia is recognized for its work in medical health examinations, consultations and hygiene talks to villagers in rural areas.
- Finalist, Brilliance Internal Communications Award, Best Internal Communications Campaign
- Italian Mission Award, Best Tool for Risk Management for travel tracking service, TravelTracker
Publications
International SOS has been listed as a publisher on several academic works covering research on maintenance tasks and travel risk management. Notable publications include Professor Dr. Lisbeth Claus and ACTE (International Association of Business Travel Companies).
2009 'White Paper:' Employee Caring Duty to Protect International Recipients, Dependents, and International Business Travelers', written by Professor Dr. Lisbeth Claus, published by International SOS.
2010 'Briefing Paper: Each Ash Cloud has a Silver Layer - Lessons from the Icelandic Crisis 2010', published by ACOS (SOS Global and International Travel Association Business Executive Association).
2011 'Duty of Care and Risk Management of the Global Travel Benchmarking Study' [1], written by Professor Dr. Lisbeth Claus, published by International SOS.
2015 'Travel Risk Management, European Trends' [2], written in partnership with FERMA and DLA Piper.
2015 'Scholastic sector task: Managing education abroad while abroad' written by Dr Lisbeth Claus, Professor of Global Human Resources at the Atkinson School of Management at Willamette University, and Robert L. Quigley, Medical Director Regional and Senior Vice President of Medical Assistance, American Region for SOS International.
2016 'Managing the safety, health and safety of mobile workers: Safety and health practice guides' by International SOS Foundation and IOSH
2017 ' Investing and Operating on Russian white paper launched in partnership with Enhesa'
2018 'Investing and operating in Mexico: How to Reduce Occupational Health Risks and Achieve Regulatory Compliance'
SOS International Foundation
The International SOS Foundation was launched in March 2012 and is a registered charity that begins with grants from International SOS. This is an entirely independent and non-profit organization.
The International SOS Foundation aims to improve the safety, security, health and welfare of people working overseas or on remote duty through the study, understanding and mitigation of potential risks. It has been published, and serves as a storage place for, a number of academic papers, articles and advice notes on maintenance tasks, travel risk management and related topics.
In 2016, the International SOS Foundation introduced the Task of Care Award to recognize organizations and individuals who have made significant contributions to protect their staff as they travel and work abroad.
In 2017, the Duty of Care Summit was launched that brings together industry leaders to share best practices in the safety and security of mobile and remote workforce. Takes place on the Day of Care Task Award.
The Singapore Declaration, launched by the International SOS Foundation at the Singapore World Summit, calls on the organization to sign a commitment statement to support the principles of preventing health, safety and security risks in related business trips.
Publications from the International SOS Foundation
Notable publications include:
- 'Global Framework on Occupational Safety, Health, and Security for Travel and Occupational Tasks', drafted by Dr. David Gold. In 2014, the 'Global Framework' won the award for 'Leadership of Thought' in the Management and Mobility Expatriates (EMMA) Award, for the Asia Pacific region.
- 'Return on Prevention', published by Prevent and commissioned by the International SOS Foundation in March 2015, investigates the risks associated with international assignments and failed assignment costs.
- 'Bowtie Travel Risk Mitigation', SOS International Foundation. 2015.
- 'HEALTH & amp; OVERALL SAFETY AND OVERALL GUIDE FOR GLOBAL WORK: PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS 'WINNERS in partnership with Sancroft in 2017
See also
- International health care accreditation
References
External links
- Risk Control in conversation with rivals
- Financial Times - Executives looking for five-star security
- Financial Times - US companies see the danger of bird flu
- BBC.co.uk - "The Englishman is stranded after Wilma hits"
- Vipdesk joined SOS International "
- Financial Times - MBA faces lesson work
- Financial Times - Key man insurance: steps to secure against loss of mission-critical staff
- Financial Times - Businesses turn their attention to staff security
- New York Times - For a Traveler in Danger, Someone to Be Struck In
- Wall Street Journal - International SOS Using Its Global Reach
- Wall Street Journal - Foreign companies are increasing evacuation efforts
- SOS International Mandiri, How to avoid crisis into drama
- China Daily - Rescue Team to Meet Requests
- The Straits Times - The risk of security of business and corporate travelers should be noted in 2012
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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