Six months have passed since CoolCare officially launched its new product, CoolCare4. The Care Show at the NEC was a perfect opportunity to showcase our software, as well as keeping an ear close to the ground on the latest the care sector has to offer… Just like at the launch at the Health Plus Care show in the Excel, the CoolCare stand buzzed across both days of the show.
It’s easy to say that there has been a big boom happening in the care tech sector. Care providers are hunting for the best technology to transform their care businesses. Each looking for a solution suited to their business and ways of working. There is one key common denominator: the software must be easy to use.
Gone are the days of sprawling locally hosted systems which can do a lot but take an IT qualification, patience and a good dose of determination to use.
Usability vs. function
The sector has recognised that software is only ever as good as it is used. Its effective use is fundamental to operating in an efficient manner.
Function, whilst still the most important, is now closely followed by the look and feel of the software. Providers want it to be user friendly for their staff. That means colour, easy process flows, uncluttered screens and mobile solutions. Getting staff to embrace the software into their ways of working, is a sure-fire way of getting the job done efficiently, quickly and accurately.
Safeguarding margins
From talking to the spectrum of customers who visited our stand, we know this sudden surge in desire for new technologies is no coincidence. Digitisation offers the many efficiencies and greater business oversight needed for the volume of data they handle and their complex processes. It is now a “must have” for ensuring regulatory compliance, whilst protecting commercial interests. As the sector reacts to the funding climate, efficient business operations have to safeguard the margins which keep the business viable and funds growth.
A lot of providers CoolCare spoke to were preparing to expand their portfolio. To do so, they will adopt technologies to:
- Aid the careful management of staff in order to retain the best candidates
- Manage staffing levels
- Reduce unnecessary spend in key areas
- Drive revenues through accurately capturing revenue and improving occupancy levels
Talking about “how”
The stand was full of lively conversations between operators about how they were going to do it. It was great to contribute ideas and solutions to visitors at our stand. We talked a lot about which areas of the business offered the greatest potential for improvement.
All that valuable content is being absorbed by our team, to reflect it in consultative support provided to CoolCare customers and our development plan. As the only specialised care home administration system, CoolCare is passionate about helping operators to run their businesses.
It has, therefore, never been a more exciting time for digitisation in this sector!
