PlatformUptake.eu

Departing from the outcomes of the ecosystem assessment and the insights which were collected from relevant stakeholders in the field, the PlatformUptake.eu project created a dedicated online space to promote the large-scale uptake of existing open platforms in the AHA and AAL domains. The PlatformUptake.eu Open Information Hub provided stakeholders with an overview of the ecosystem and showcase their contributions. It aims to target providers of open platforms in the field as well as technology developers, care organisation, researchers, policy makers at different levels.

Based on the mapping and assessment activities carried out by the project consortium, to prepare the ground for the uptake of the open platforms in the field the database of the Open Information Hub contained among others, more than 110 documents, 25 videos and more than 50 news articles. It included several modules and support tools to provide a broad overview of existing open platform frameworks, implementations and applications collected during this project and related initiatives, as well as to facilitate engagement between the presented open platform providers and their potential end users.

In the following, some of the main assets of the Open Information Hub are presented, including their role in the uptake of open platforms in the field.

Smart Advisor

The tool “Smart Advisor” (Figure 1) connected the directories and databases of the Hub to help end users find the right open platform by being guided through questions step by step. The consortium combined the Smart Advisor for platforms with the “Solutions” directory providing the user with available technologies to the main given platform suggestion. The start page of the Smart Advisor is retrievable for external stakeholders through the navigation bar on the homepage of the PlatformUptake.eu Open Information Hub.

Open platforms

In the section “Platforms” the Open Information Hub provided an overview of platforms (currently 17) which were developed within projects funded by the EU or private organisations with a seat in Europe. Hence, the project drew awareness of the services and value proposition of the presented platforms, inducing potential end users to contact the providers and establish collaboration with them. Moreover, the Hub via the open platforms’ directory enabled a comparison between the presented platforms, and thus supported their potential end users in the decision-making process. In addition, the directory provided information on various aspects of the platforms’ development, supported by media content such as embedded videos, documents and links to knowledge directories. The connected submission form provides the opportunity for open platforms providers to submit information on their solutions, which could be then easily transformed by SYNYO into an appealing platform profile.

Solutions

The section “Solutions” provided an overview of a collection of applications, devices and technologies, which were built upon the open platforms analysed by the PlatformUptake.eu or exist as “stand alone” solutions. By showcasing solutions for active and healthy ageing the project consortium sought to boost their uptake and distribution by their end users. It did so by applying an easily searchable and filterable directory. The section contained 63 solutions for active and healthy ageing. Based on the implemented input form, external stakeholders such as AAL / AHA solution developers / providers, were able to conveniently upload information on the Hub on their technology. This ensured the steady growth of the solutions database after project’s end.

Monitoring and self-evaluation tools

PlatformUptake.eu has developed monitoring and self-evaluation tools. which supported open platform providers and their users (technology developers and care organisations) in the AHA and AAL domains to self-assess the success and uptake of the platforms and their progress while developing solutions on top of them. The tools are accessible via the menu “Tools” in the navigation bar on the Hub’s homepage after a short registration.

MOOC

To raise awareness on the benefits of open platforms for their Secondary end users (Healthcare organisation, Home care / and community support etc.) as well as the Authorities and facilitators (Public authorities, Social security systems etc.), PlatformUptake.eu developed a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course). The course can be found in section “Knowledge” on the navigation bar on the home page of the Open Information Hub. As such, it is intended to help professionals in healthcare and care organisations, public authorities, health insurance organisations and others interested in the field, also beyond the project, to identify, select and integrate open platforms in their organisations and processes. To ensure its wide use, the project consortium implemented a digital badge as an award for the completion of the course. The digital badge can be uploaded on social media, thus demonstrating the acquired knowledge.

AHA experts voices

The sub-section “AHA experts’ voices” included video interviews with stakeholders in the field of open platforms for active and healthy ageing addressing different aspects in the analysis of the platforms’ development and uptake. Among the respondents were providers of platforms in the AHA and AAL domains (incl. platforms that have been developed as part of EU-funded projects, as well as commercial platforms). The interviews directly addressed the four sets of KPIs which were established by the project. They also provided an overview of the benefits of the platforms for their user groups as well as insights into the challenges of their large-scale uptake. PlatformUptake.eu managed to conduct and create 25 video interviews, which were broadly promoted over the Twitter and YouTube channels of the project.

Best Practices

The sub-section “Best Practices”, which could be also found in section “Knowledge” showcased the experiences of interviewed Secondary end users with open platforms’ services. The presented information would support the uptake of the discussed open platforms and help investors make informed decision and navigate through times of market uncertainty. Moreover, the included best practices provided contextual information that could help organisations in the field such as Secondary end users Authorities and facilitators improve their future project planning processes.

Platforms map

To facilitate a better overview of the implementation and pilot sites of the analysed platforms, and thus support the uptake of their service, the consortium implemented a “Platforms map”, which could be found on the Open Information Hub under the “Knowledge” section. As an interactive map it offered an overview of the outreach of project activities in terms of testing and validation of platforms’ services. It also provided a departing point for any future networking or development activities in the field. The extension of the database connected to the interactive map would be facilitated via an input form which was designed by SYNYO as responsible for the maintenance of the Open Information Hub beyond the funding project. The database of the map included more than 30 implementation sites and had the potential to grow after the project’s end.

To tackle the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the consortium conducted virtual end user events to reach stakeholders not involved with the services of existing open platforms before, and draw their attention to the project awareness raising and support materials. These actions were planned and executed by taking into consideration the variety of communication channels and target groups. Based on the excellent collaboration between the partners and their active engagement with external stakeholders the project managed to organise and conduct several very successful end user events, including 9 webinars and matchmaking events, more than 75 virtual consultations with stakeholders from the ecosystem of open platforms for AHA and AAL.

Recommendations and guidelines

To identify potential gaps in the field, the project elaborated how the current state of the art meets existing needs and requirements. As a result, PlatformUptake.eu established guidelines to support the evolution of open platforms in the AHA and AAL domains. These supporting materials are uploaded on the Hub in a form of downloadable booklets, which were freely accessible to interested organisations. The consortium would disseminate its content among the members of related networks and organisations via the project’s communication channels.

Links

www.platformuptake.eu

Keywords

Open Information Hub, Smart Advisor, Platforms, Solutions, Monitoring and Self-evaluation tools, AHA experts’ voices, Best Practices, Platforms Map, virtual end user events, webinars, matchmaking, virtual consultations, booklets