The Health Department of Copenhagen’s Municipality is implementing a BLIP Systems network with over 400 Bluetooth Access points serving 3000 PDAs for their Elderly Care System.

The Case
The Health Department of Copenhagen’s Municipality has, in conjunction with CSC Scandihealth, worked on the implementation of KOS (Copenhagen’s Care System)., where CSC Scandihealth’s Vitae Journal has been the driving force. One of the main objectives was to equip the 20,000 Municipal care workers with handheld systems, which would enable them to access updated assignment lists constantly without any restrictions.

Previously, these assignments were written out on paper each morning and distributed to the Municipal workers. Times of each visit with an elderly citizen were noted by hand on a piece of paper, as were any changes. This information was then manually entered onto computer at a later stage. Though, eventually, this placed far too much strain on administration.

The Solution
The solution to the problem was handheld devices, although there was an uncertainty as to how the technology behind it would allow the system to be most effective. HandStep advised Copenhagen Municipality to contact BLIP Systems, who have great expertise in the development of Bluetooth systems, “and that’s a decision, which we have not regretted”, emphasizes Søren Bonde-Andersen, IT Project Leader of Information at Copenhagen Municipal Health Department.

When deciding between the choice of a traditional WLAN solution and the newer Bluetooth solution, it was an easy decision to make for Copenhagen Municipality. The chosen Bluetooth network product BlipNet consists of Bluetooth Access Points, which are connected to the central Blip Server. The Blip Server has many benefits such as remote monitoring of the access points, central security handling, central admission control and automatic connection establishment. All these features have made it possible to administrate and monitor this geographically widely spread network from one location, which were of extreme importance to the KOS (Copenhagen’s Care System). The Bluetooth solution also has the major advantage of using far less power than a WLAN solution, which is of considerable importance, since the handheld devices are in continuous use throughout the day with Municipal care workers.
 
The choice of BLIP Systems as a partner has been a very good experience according to Søren Bonde-Andersen, IT Project Leader of Information at Copenhagen Municipal Health Department. Naturally, we experienced some technical start-up difficulties, when the IT department had to learn the system, but all in all we are extremely satisfied. The Municipal care workers can now avoid chaotic morning meetings, where everyone attempts to update their handheld devices instead of using their time constructively.

Søren Bonde-Andersen also states, with satisfaction, that the last of the total 7 city areas will have implemented BLIP System solutions before the end of the year, and then we will be ready to reap the rewards of all our work.

BLIP Systems mission is to "To bring the most versatile wireless infrastructure for Personal Devices to the market", which is accomplished by the extremely industry experienced team at the company. The wireless BLIP Systems products can be applied for a variety of proximity services such as location based services, synchronization, Real Time Location Systems, gaming and advertisement, which provides BLIP Systems with a competitive edge. For more information about BLIP Systems or the Bluetooth network solutions, visit www.blipsystems.com