Which PTI phone to choose? Buying guide and comparison to equip isolated workers
According to the Ministry of Labor, in 2024, 549,614 workplace accidents were recorded in France.
Reducing this number is a key priority to ensure the safety of employees, preserve their health, but also guarantee the smooth operation of organizations and enhance the overall performance of businesses.
When your employees are increasingly mobile and present in the field, the PTI phone becomes an indispensable asset in risk prevention and emergency management. It complements the safety plans, training, and protective equipment already in place in companies.
It is within this dynamic that the use of PTI smartphones : tools capable of detecting critical situations (fall, malaise, aggression) and triggering an alert quickly, enhancing the safety of isolated workers while meeting the legal obligations of employers.
Because they often work alone in high-risk environments, isolated workers must be able to rely on reliable equipment.
The PTI phone meets this specific need: it combines the performance of a professional smartphone with advanced security functions to alert immediately in case of danger.
But how to choose the right model? What features are truly essential? And which PTI smartphone best suits each use?
Let's take stock to help you make the right choice for your organizations.
What is a PTI phone?
A PTI phone, or Isolated Worker Protection device, is a mobile device designed to detect abnormal or dangerous situations when an employee is alone at their workplace. It relies on two types of triggers: a passive alert system (automatic fall detection, immobility, loss of verticality) and an active trigger via an SOS button or a manual alert.
Crosscall does not directly provide PTI software solutions but designs rugged smartphones compatible with the main solutions on the market. Combined with high-speed networks, public or private, these devices enable the creation of efficient PTI systems that meet the security requirements of businesses and communities.
Beyond alerts, an effective PTI phone also relies on other essential assets: excellent connectivity, ergonomics suited for field environments (even with gloves), a sufficient autonomy to last an entire workday, as well as proven resistance to shocks, dust, and water. These features make the PTI smartphone a true security tool at the service of businesses.
Use cases for lone worker phones:
Lone worker phones are used in many sectors, each exposing workers to different risks depending on their environment:
In the construction and public works sector, workers operate on large construction sites, at heights, or underground. Falls, mechanical accidents, or isolation on site make the use of a lone worker phone essential for quickly alerting emergency services.
In theIndustry,the technicians or maintenance operators may be required to work alone in high-risk areas: factories, power plants, technical rooms. They are exposed to electrical, chemical, or heavy machinery risks. A lone worker device ensures their continuous protection.
In Logistics and Transport, forklift operators, drivers, or dock workers may find themselves isolated at certain times of the day or night. They are exposed to risks of falls, traffic accidents, immobilization, or even assault, especially in public transport. A lone worker smartphone ensures reliable communication and continuous alert capability, even in remote or hard-to-reach environments.
In the health sector, home care aides, nursing home staff, or night professionals work alone with patients or in facilities. They may face discomfort, stressful situations, or acts of aggression. A discreet and ergonomic lone worker phone allows for an alert to be triggered instantly.
For security or defense professionals, being in the field is often isolated, at night or in sensitive environments. Patrol officers, dog handlers, or military personnel may encounter emergency situations (assault, fall, technical incident). The lone worker equipment ensures their safety by maintaining constant communication with a monitoring center or a designated contact. Find some examples of use by French Police and Gendarmes.
In distribution and retail, some employees may work alone, particularly in logistics warehouses, goods reception areas, or during off-hours.
Others, in retail, are exposed to tensions or aggressive situations, especially during closures or security interventions. The use of a lone worker phone ensures their protection, thanks to discreet alert functions and reliable communication in all circumstances.
The key features of Crosscall PTI smartphones:
In sectors such as construction, industry, logistics, health, or security, professionals often operate in isolated and risky environments. To face these field realities, it is essential to rely on reliable, robust mobile equipment designed to respond effectively in emergencies.
This is precisely where Crosscall PTI smartphones provide a concrete response, combining safety, field performance, and advanced communication technologies.
To choose the right PTI phone, several criteria are crucial:
Robustness : shock resistance and MIL-STD 810H certification, total waterproofing against all liquids and dust (IP68)
Battery life : long-lasting battery designed to last a full day of intervention without recharging
Programmable buttons : to quickly trigger an SOS alert or a Push-to-Talk call, even with gloves
Smart sensors : automatic detection of falls, prolonged immobility, or loss of verticality
Network compatibility : 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, and PMR to ensure optimal connectivity, even in isolated areas
Indoor/outdoor geolocation : for real-time tracking, including inside buildings
Designed for field professionals, Crosscall PTI phones integrate all of these features into reliable, durable, and certified devices capable of ensuring the safety of lone workers, regardless of their profession or environment.
Why choose a PTI phone over a standard smartphone?
A standard smartphone does not include the specific safety devices for lone working. PTI phones, on the other hand, are designed to be used in demanding conditions: construction sites, industrial locations, sensitive or hard-to-reach environments. Crosscall phones are designed for field use: their shock resistance, waterproofing, and compact format allow them to operate in demanding environments.
They also integrate reliable connectivity, via public or private high-speed networks, essential to ensure the transmission of alerts in any type of environment, even when it is remote or logistically complex.
The ergonomics are designed for the realities of the field, with programmable physical buttons, accessible and discreet, allowing you to trigger an alert in the blink of an eye, even with gloves or silently in delicate or dangerous situations.
Our Crosscall PTI phone models and accessories:
At Crosscall, we offer several PTI-compatible models, tailored to the needs of each professional environment:
CORE-M6 : X-TREMESHIELD Technology, total waterproofing IP68 / IP69K, 3 programmable buttons: SOS, AI & PTT
CORE-Z5 : ultra-resistant smartphone with 4 programmable buttons, 100 dB speaker, enhanced battery life, and PMR compatibility. Perfect for extreme environments.
STELLAR-M6 : rugged smartphone, compact and lightweight, equipped with a programmable SOS button and excellent resistance to shocks and liquids. It is perfectly suited for medical environments, home care aides, or mobile health professionals.
X-COMMAND : Programmable Bluetooth remote control to keep your actions quick at hand, and launch alerts discreetly.
Conclusion:
Choosing a PTI phone well is an essential step to effectively protect isolated workers. By considering robustness, detection features, connectivity, and battery life, companies can ensure they provide their teams with a reliable and suitable PTI solution. Crosscall offers a complete range of PTI smartphones and tablets designed to last and meet the realities of the field.
Discover here which smartphones are best suited to your PTI needs.
FAQ:
In what cases should you equip your teams with a PTI phone?
You should consider a PTI phone when your employees:
work alone, without direct supervision (day or night);
operate in high-risk areas: construction sites, roadways, technical rooms, unoccupied buildings, etc.;
are exposed to falls, health issues, assaults, or industrial risks;
evolve in mobility, in difficult-to-locate environments.
In all these situations, a PTI phone like those from the Crosscall range provides a concrete response in terms of safety, responsiveness, and regulatory compliance.
Which PTI phone to choose according to your sector of activity?
The choice of a PTI phone heavily depends on the work environment. For intensive use in construction or heavy industry, a model like the Crosscall CORE-Z5 is recommended. In community settings or for rounds, the CORE-M6 is more suitable. In hospital environments, in nursing homes, or for home care services, the STELLAR-M6 is perfectly suited: compact, lightweight, waterproof to all liquids, it can be easily cleaned with antibacterial gel or disinfectant wipes. It is also equipped with an SOS button and compatible with medical equipment. Each sector has its optimal model.
What accessories are available for Crosscall PTI phones?
Crosscall offers a range of accessories dedicated to field use: the vehicle mount X-CAR, the external battery X-POWER, the earphones X-VIBES, and the charging and transfer stations X-DOCK. These devices facilitate the daily use of the phone in demanding environments.