euromicron has been nominated for the Vodafone Application Award 2009. Vodafone Germany awards the prize annually at its Innovation Days, where the latest communications technologies and trends are showcased at its Test & Innovation Center in Düsseldorf. Out of the many entries, euromicron mobile care center captured a spot among the final three candidates in the M2M (machine-to-machine communication) category. The jury, which was made up of expert representatives from the press, finally awarded second place to the solution for people who need help. euromicron mobile care center is based on a technical innovation that simultaneously transfers voice, data and location information over the mobile network and so enables the elderly or people who require care to live without worries at home in their familiar environment and yet be provided with assistance if the event of an emergency.
A similar application can be used for offenders released on probation. Close contact with the probation officer by means of mobile voice communications demonstrably increases the chances that persons on probation can return to a well-ordered life and sharply reduces the recidivism rate.
In every application, the system consists of different portable terminal devices that combine the functions of a mobile phone, a BlackBerry and a navigation system in the smallest of spaces. Contact with the senior citizens or persons on probation is enabled via a supervision center with specially trained staff, run by aid or probation service organizations, for example. Vodafone Germany and euromicron expect that there will be great acceptance and demand for the two applications in the healthcare market, as well as in supporting law enforcement agencies. The legal foundation for the “electronic probation service” was created in Baden-Württemberg in July 2009 and has existed in the state of Hesse since 2000. euromicron obtained a Europe-wide exclusive license for the two applications in May 2009 and intends to provide the technical platform of the supervision center and use and maintenance of the terminal devices, while the carrier Vodafone will be able to deliver the mobile voice and data services. To enable this, a test and demonstration environment is first being created at Vodafone’s large Test & Innovation Center in Düsseldorf and is to be rolled out later for commercial operation.
In addition, developments such as a GPS-integrated SIM card and near field communication (NFC), which will also be included in further development of the euromicron mobile care center solution, were on display at Vodafone Innovation Days 2009. The GPS-integrated SIM card enables furthers miniaturization of the terminal device down to the size of a wristwatch, whereas NFC technology allows vital data such as blood pressure, insulin values, etc., to be read out and then transferred to a supervision center as a basis for remote diagnosis by the doctor treating the patient.
“With its many technical and medical possibilities, the euromicron mobile care center solution opens up new opportunities for social work and life mobility of people who need care and so reflects our changing social structure,” says Thomas Hoffmann, the euromicron Executive Board member responsible for business development and strategic sales & marketing.
“Particularly when it comes to caring for the elderly or people suffering from dementia or chronic illnesses, our solutions guarantees permanent supervision and so reduces the workload on care staff, and enables emergency calls to be initiated if and when needs be,” stresses Hoffmann.
“The euromicron mobile care center solution is one of many interesting and highly promising applications we presented at Vodafone Innovation Days 2009. With our annual event and the Vodafone Application Award, we have now established a platform for innovations and idea sharing that is greatly acknowledged by our customers and partners,” says Jill Doppelfeld-Watson, Director of Acceptance & Testing at Vodafone Deutschland.
Vodafone Germany has 15,000 employees, generates revenue of around nine billion euros and is one of Europe’s largest and most modern telecommunications providers. As an innovative and integrated technology and services group headquartered in Düsseldorf, Vodafone Deutschland is a one-stop shop for communications, offering mobile and fixed network as well as Internet and broadband data services for corporate and private customers. Continuous developments, numerous patents and investments in new products, services and a cutting-edge network have made Vodafone the innovation leader in the German telecommunications market. Vodafone Germany also lives up to its social responsibility and sponsors many projects through its foundation Vodafone Stiftung Deutschland.
The company is part of the Vodafone Group. You can obtain more information in the Internet at www.vodafone.de.
euromicron AG is an all-round solution provider for communications, data and security networks. Its network infrastructures integrate voice, video and data transport wirelessly, via copper cable and by means of fiber-optic technologies.
Founded on its expertise as a developer and producer of fiber-optic components, euromicron AG is now a strongly growing, highly profitable group that is listed on the stock market, has a medium-sized character and focuses on operational growth, integration and further market penetration and expansion.