Speaking at BETT 2011 in January, where Sir Bob unveiled Groupcall’s latest innovative education ‘App’, Emerge, he highlighted the need to “make systems function simply, efficiently and cost-effectively.” Some existing technologies pose the problem of being too complex, slow or not readily accessible, preventing users from “getting to the future instantly,” he added.
Emerge is designed for the Apple iPod touch with Wi-Fi, or an iPhone/iPad with Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. It delivers up-to-the-minute Management Information System (MIS) data instantly and securely, with access on an anytime, anywhere basis. It is designed specifically for senior leaders, administrators and teaching staff at both primary and secondary level, providing them with access to on-the-go key data from a compact mobile device. Via Emerge, registration can be taken while simultaneously being written back to the school’s MIS. Additional student information including student and parental contact details, timetables, attendance and behavioural data can also be accessed wherever the teacher is located (both on and off school grounds) without the need to rely on a desktop PC.
Sir Bob explained that essentially, the application “puts the school in a teacher’s back pocket. Equipping teachers with a tool that gives them immediate access to the information they require is not only beneficial in terms of significantly lowering a school’s administrative costs, but also encourages increased time management efficiency. Simplicity and speed are key.”
These cost cutting benefits, however, are not restricted to within the school gates, he quickly pointed out. “We are going to try and explain to government how over-complex systems will fall over and how there is technology available that gives them the tools they actually want. Fundamentally the necessity of the economy is to reduce, which means that government will be aiming to spend less on over-complex systems and be forced to look for simplicity.
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that his plans to lobby government to raise awareness about technologies, will not stop with the education sector. Sir Bob also referred to the technological problems encountered by the National Health Service (NHS) computer system, stating that “once [the system] has doubled the costs and is in the millions, it becomes too complex and fails to work. It needs to be simplified”. Furthermore, he ardently announced that Groupcall’s technology has applications suitable for other sectors too, including the police and security.
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