ANS Group First to Market with Voice Based Asset Tracking

The Board of ANS Group, a leading UK Technology Solutions group, is pleased to announce it will be the first to install a totally unique voice-based asset-tracking solution. Based on Cisco Wireless technology, the solution is targeted for use within the NHS or any Healthcare organisation with dispersed staff, patients and resources in order to keep track of valuable assets and equipment, and will mean improved staff and equipment utilisation and increased security.

In today's Healthcare environments, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs whilst improving service to the patient are a constant challenge. ANS’s asset tracking solution helps to address these challenges using the latest RFID and Cisco Wi-Fi technology.

The solution allows Healthcare staff to locate resources and communicate with other staff. Using the tracking system, a registered user will be able to walk up to a fixed handset, or operate a wireless IP Telephony device, dial a pre-fixed number, and ask the system where the required resource is using voice commands or a simple menu. The system will then integrate with the Cisco Wireless network to find the nearest available resource to that person.

There are many benefits to an organisation using asset tracking technology, including:

Reduced annual equipment purchase and rental costs through better asset utilisation and sharing across a wider group of users, from:
   Reduction of equipment loss due to theft;
   Reduction in faulty and inaccurate equipment;
   Reduction in legal liability claims due to un-maintained equipment;
   Improved historic asset utilisation information to support procurement decisions;
   Improved asset library operation.

A reduction in average patient stay and an improvement in the level of service perceived by the patient, through:
   Improved access to key medical equipment at patient bedside;
   Improved access to medical equipment during critical events;
   Improved visibility and allocation of free beds on patient admission;
   Improved visibility of asset usage, helping to understand spread of HAIs
   (i.e. MRSA); and
   Improved patient turnaround and reduced overnight stays.

Reduced staff costs through better utilisation of the existing resources, from:
   Reduction in time spent by BME staff searching for equipment due for maintenance;
   Reduction in time spent by medical staff searching for equipment, therefore more    time treating the patient;
   Improved morale across nursing and facilities staff; and
   Reduced overall staff attrition and recruitment costs.

Sheffield Children’s’ Hospital is very keen to use a variant of the solution designed to allow parents to securely telephone into their child’s allocated bed via their new bed head entertainment/telephony system for the patients and families, without cost, unlike other products in use which charge people on an expensive time basis. This system will enhance support in location-based tracking elements. There are also a number of other NHS Trusts that are interested in piloting the solution.

Clive Sawkins, Director of Unified Communications for Cisco Europe, commented:
"It is great to see a partner such as ANS Group showing innovation around our UC and wireless solutions. Cisco solutions help the NHS to enhance patient care and provide a robust network to run mission critical applications. We are excited to see Sheffield Children’s Hospital taking advantage of these solutions."