NORAD Hotline Engages Santa's Most Loyal Followers Using Technology From Avaya Government Solutions

SANTA CLARA, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 15, 2014) -

• Children concerned about Santa and his arrival time can call 1 877 HI-NORAD on December 24.
• Calls will be managed by an estimated 1250 volunteers using a mission-critical, Santa-ready customer engagement solution.
• Avaya "Santa Cause" campaign, joined by Plantronics, commits funding to Cell Phones For Soldiers.

Santa's most ardent fans can rest easy. On December 24, they can call a NORAD Tracks Santa hotline (1 877 HI-NORAD) for timely answers to urgent questions about his travels, his reindeer and his gift-laden sleigh.

Powered by technology from Avaya Government Solutions, the hotline is part of a sophisticated program to help Santa and his cargo make a safe and successful journey around the globe. Experts from the North American Aerospace Defense Command carefully monitor his travels and ensure his safety using data gathered from radar, satellites, jet pilots and even high-tech Santa Cams positioned in strategic locations worldwide. As a result, curious children of all ages -- naughty or nice -- can get an insider's view of his progress as he streaks through the night sky.

The NORAD Tracks Santa team fielded a record-breaking 117,371 calls last year during its 23 hours of operation. Volunteers will be at their posts again this year from 4 a.m. MST (6 a.m. EST) on December 24 through the early morning hours of December 25.

Avaya Customer Engagement Solutions will route each caller to a volunteer who is poised to provide pressing details about Santa and his trip -- from the dimensions of his sleigh to his climbing speed as he navigates the night sky.

The sophisticated, Santa-ready technology Avaya Government Solutions provides has been extensively tested and certified by the Department of Defense Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC). It not only powers the Santa hotline, but also supports the important mission of the NORAD Operations Center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo.

To mark the Dec. 24 annual global NORAD Tracks Santa program and in the spirit of connecting families during the holiday period, Avaya's "Santa Cause" initiative along with technology partner Plantronics, will make a donation to Cell Phones For Soldiers, a non-profit organization that helps deployed U.S. servicemen and women connect with their families providing free calling cards.