Ling Huang, CEO of Technology North knows firsthand the value of client care and the necessity for tracking its delivery - his youngest son received special intervention service for autistic syndrome.

“I’ve seen the juggling that care providers have to deal with daily - taking care of their clients’ needs while ensuring that all the appropriate documentation of their care activities is completed and accurate, “ said Huang. “It seemed to me that there had to be a more efficient way of coordinating this paperwork while improving client service.”

With over 12 years of experience providing customized software solutions for business and government agencies, and in leveraging its health industry and IT security expertise, Huang’s company set its sights on the assisted living, behaviour intervention and long-term care industries. Thanks to almost $200,000 from NRC-IRAP and the Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Voucher program to further prototype development, Technology North is now one large step closer to bringing its TN ActiveCare iPhone application to market.

“Frontline workers spend upwards of 25% of their time on paperwork. Technology North’s solution replaces paper forms with ‘intelligent’ electronic forms that are dynamically created and delivered to an iPhone, “said Huang. “The TN ActiveCare solution allows for streamlined, real-time data entry. Standardized work tasks specific to an individual client are delivered to front-line workers who are then able to quickly capture their activities and the results at the point of care while substantially reducing the administrative burden of filling out a multitude of paper forms. This will enable service providers to deliver better client care with their limited resources while ensuring that they are meeting outcome based reporting requirements, a requirement of funding agencies.”

Technology North’s TN ActiveCare iPhone applications will transform the way care providers service their clients. If required information is late, such as medication administration, alerts will help the worker to remember to finish tasks. Based on the information entered into the forms, such as completed activities, the application will generate reports that help the workers evaluate if goals are being met.

Huang came to TEC Edmonton for help with Technology North’s business model. As a portfolio company, TEC Edmonton developed grant proposals, conducted an initial market assessment for Huang’s solution, and worked with him to refine his business model and product offering. TEC Edmonton is also providing assistance with attracting experienced management through TEC’s network.

“It’s rewarding to help someone who believes so strongly in the difference his product will make,” said Shaheel Hooda, TEC Executive-in-Residence. “The next stage in assisting Technology North is to develop a comprehensive business plan and drive the company to multi-million dollar revenues within the next eighteen months.”

The need for this technology is particularly pertinent as more government and funding agencies move toward a results-based funding model. Huang expects the detailed reports will not only satisfy new government requirements but will also give family members a way to stay more informed. The Excel Society, an organization that provides support for people with disabilities in Edmonton and Calgary, has agreed to be one of the first adopters TN ActiveCare.

“With limited resources and challenging clientele, Excel Society is always looking for ways to improve efficiencies, “said Sharon Read, President and CEO of the Excel Society. “The TN ActiveCare iPhone application will allow staff to collect and record client information in an easy, confidential, and timely manner, allowing more time to be spent on client care and support. Excel has worked with Technology North for 10 years and is excited about another leading edge strategy to improve service provision.”