Many colleges and universities are adopting text-messaging services for notification of weather-related cancellations and emergency alerts. While several higher education institutions were discussing text-messaging solutions months before the Virginia Tech shootings in April, the tragedy brought the idea to the forefront of the security agenda for many campuses.

“Demand has increased more than tenfold since April 16,” the day of the shooting, said Bryan Crum, director of communications for Leesburg-based Omnilert LLC, which develops mass communications technology. Crum said his company, which now has about 130 college clients, has received hundreds of calls and inquiries.