at_today_FP_footprint

“We were asked continuously by Telecare providers to add GPS to our mobile phone.”

London based telecare manufacturer OwnFone Limited have released their latest product to the market, Footprint.

The small, lightweight unit works just like a mobile phone, allowing two-way hands-free communication via the central button which also sends a text with location if linked to a smartphone. The device also comes with a range of features, including Google map location, speed sensors and fall detectors, as well as additional security which allows the device to be called silently if the operator believes the users to be in an emergency situation.

The company saw the need within telecare for a GPS tracking device that was suited to either Lone Workers or for those living with dementia and have been delighted with the positive reaction it has received since launch.

OwnFone Footprint in HandFootprint is currently on trial with numerous councils & telecare providers across the UK and is being rolled out across Essex by Provide CIC as a Lone Worker solution for 500+ staff members. Each unit will be configured in advance by OwnFone for immediate use.

Mike Fair, Health and Safety, Resilience and Security Manager for Provide said: “Staff safety is important to us and we found there were areas of improvements with regards to lone working.

“We undertook an extensive trialing programme with various lone working companies who offered both lone working devices and mobile phone apps but staff found that the mobile phone device apps were hard to use, some required knowledge of a smart phone and they also did not meet the British Standard for a Lone Worker device.

“We also found that with some of the lone working devices on offer were difficult to use and didn’t offer the reliability that was needed in an emergency. Ownfone, however, offered us a device which was easy to use, discreet, efficient, reliable and offered great value for money. The service received so far has been excellent and I am confident it will prove to be a reliable Lone Worker device for our staff”.

OwnFone offers free of charge access to their web portal which is held on a secure server to ensure protection of confidential data. Footprint is IP66 waterproof rated and also BS8484 (lone worker device) certified. All units are fitted with a fully roaming SIM which searches for the strongest available mobile network signal. Data packages are available annually which allow for budget control and ease of administration.

Sales Director, Sarah Watts said “We were asked continuously by Telecare providers to add GPS to our mobile phone.

“Our core thinking at OwnFone is to give anyone the ability to have mobile communication in a cost effective way so rather than add to the cost of OwnFone we decided to increase our portfolio with a stand-alone GPS product.

“We believe that Footprint and the bespoke service we give to end users and Telecare providers alike stand us apart from any other GPS unit in the market today”.

Footprint OwnFone

Footprint is currently being used by Bracknell Forest in their Pocket Pal scheme. Bracknell Forest were recently filmed by ITV news, showcasing how Footprint is helping those living with dementia.

The feature can be viewed at http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/update/2016-03-08/new-pocket-pal-offers-lifeline-to-vulnerable-and-elderly/

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