"People need to hear exactly what's going on, and we recommend that they do that a minimum of two to three times a day during an active crisis," said Woodworth. That's something that didn't happen during Katrina, he said. "When the message does get out clearly, people do listen and it gives them the ability to plan and respond more effectively."

IBM is pricing the service from US$10,000 and $150,000, with the lower price aimed at small businesses.

Witty said that while pandemic planning is not yet widespread, it is taking place at some organizations.

For instance, the government of Florida's Orange County has strengthened its ability to support workers from home, said John Amiot, the county's IT enterprise operations manger. The county earlier could only support "a small select group" of employees from their home, he said. Now it can support some 3,000.