RALEIGH – Introduced a year ago as a replacement for walkie-talkie push-to-talk devices, the Relay is evolving into the Relay+ with more features and services.

Announced Friday, the Relay+ is priced starting at $100 a year with a $150 plan offering additional benefits.

Running over cellular networks, Relay+ is being pitched as a device to better connect “frontline workers” in the days of COVID-19.

“Challenging economic times is often when new innovation thrives. Businesses are looking to streamline and optimize the best they can to survive and invest in creating new efficiencies to save money. This is where Relay+ will have its greatest impact,” says Chris Chuang, CEO of Relay, which was spun out of Raleigh-based Republic Wireless which he also leads.

“When we outline how Relay can integrate into a customer’s current operations, we frequently get stunned expressions followed by the question, ‘You can do that?’ The answer is always, ‘Yes, Relay can do that because our solution is rooted in a powerful and flexible software platform’,” Chuang adds.

New features include:

  • Enhanced waterproof rating
  • Longer-lasting battery
  • Ability to connect to multiple LTE wireless networks

The Relay+ offers “easy and safe push-to-talk voice technology with unlimited national range so they remain focused at work with hands and eyes fully engaged, undistracted by a smartphone screen,” the company says.

Relay+ is more than a device. It is positioned as a communications platform.

“Relay+’s cloud-based platform enables more than merely communication,” the company says. “It allows frontline teams to access data, answer questions, send alerts, initiate automation, and collect data all with a simple voice-first interface. Since its initial launch, innovative teams across multiple industries have used Relay to improve their businesses.”

Listed customers and partners include Sony, Marriott and QualComm.

Learn more online.