iProcureSecurity

To collect insights on capability gaps and related technological advancements in the field of Medical Emergency Services (EMS), iProcureSecurity designed and implemented an open www.iProcureSecurity.eu web platform. The platform is based on two main elements, namely the iProcureSecurity Online Information Hub and the EMS Network (Online Community of Practice). Both were instrumentalised by the project to build broad cooperation between practitioners and other relevant stakeholders from the EMS sector in Europe, and increase the impact of the project even beyond the funding period.

The design of the open www.iprocuresecurity.com web platform is based on multifunctional modules and channels including several information and collaboration services. The development process included the creation of wireframes and mock-ups to depict the snapshots of website functioning taken at certain moments and achieve a visual hierarchy between the different elements. The project platform includes materials in multiple European languages; however, its main menus are available only in English. Additional tools including input forms were added, which allow external practitioners to also add ongoing entries in its database.

Mock-ups of iProcureSecurity open web platform

Interactive iProcureSecurity.eu Online Information Hub

The Online Information Hub is a centralized, searchable online space that stores multiple type of knowledge sources. It aims to help EMS practitioners and other relevant stakeholders from the field to tackle capability gaps and common challenges through innovation procurement. Throughout the project its knowledge sections have experienced considerable growth in terms of scope of available qualitative and quantitative data. The structure of the Hub was updated based on the mapping and assessment activities carried out by the project consortium, to ultimately prepare the ground for the follow up Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) action. 

Based on the achieved outcomes, the Online Information Hub represents a central lever for the quick mobilisation of innovation initiatives in the EMS field. Moreover, it optimises the time taken to create new value for the EMS practitioners and other relevant stakeholders.

EMS Network (Online Community of Practice)

The EMS Network constituted the main collaborative space to keep the stakeholders engaged and ensure an ongoing knowledge exchange, facilitating further innovation activities in the EMS field. Its contextual basis derived from the findings which were collected throughout the analysis of the EMS ecosystem as well as the input generated through the engagement of networks and initiatives related to iProcureSecurity. To facilitate the knowledge generation and exchange, the members of the iProcureSecurity consortium members took over the role of moderators, and thus turned conversations into active collaboration. The members with expertise and experience in the EMS field took the responsibility to create discussions and posts for each individual topic. To ensure a proper engagement in their groups, the consortium organisations communicated with members of their professional and social networks. 

The groups and discussions created in the EMS network allowed consequently for external stakeholders to join and contribute to the knowledge exchange, thus ensuring the sustainable development of the EMS Network into a virtual meeting point for all relevant stakeholders in the EMS field in Europe. Last but not least, the EMS Network was intended to function as a link to the upcoming Pre-Commercial Project (PCP) project, by helping the consortium to steer the process of innovation and development of products and solutions in the EMS field. 

Links

https://www.iprocuresecurity.eu/ 

Keywords

Web platform, Online Information Hub, EMS Network, Online Community of Practice, Pre-Commercial Project Emergency Medical Services