The shared alarm receiving centre (ARC) Technology Solution is a multi-tenant cloud-based Telecare system being developed by the Digital Office for Scottish Local Government.

With ARC, telecare service providers would use the same shared cloud-based ARC technology solution but continue to operate autonomously, all while unlocking a range of benefits and new possibilities for service delivery.

Backed by funding from the Scottish Government, the project has a number of lofty goals. Most importantly however, is expediting the transition to digital telecare – as was pointed out when DIGIT interviewed programme manager for the project, Thomas Ozers.

He said: “Firstly, we want to support services in their migration – expediting and simplifying their transition to digital and making it as painless as possible for them, while providing continuity for citizens who rely on these services.

“But we don’t want to stop there. One of the huge benefits of getting a range of services all moved over on to a common platform is that it will enable us to drive innovation – more so than we’ve ever been able to do before in the telecare sector when we have commonality in data sets.”

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Essentially, the Shared ARC Platform will aim streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and open new avenues for service expansion and innovation, making it a potential game-changer for Telecare Service Providers. It will eliminate the need for time-consuming technical and cybersecurity due diligence, allowing organisations to focus on delivering services.

Martyn Wallace, co-chair for the Shared ARC Programme Steering Group and Digital Telecare Senior Responsible Officer, said: “The Shared Alarm Receiving Centre Platform procurement has been a massive piece of work in conjunction with Scotland Excel, Early Adopters, TEC Programme, Scottish Government, and the Digital Office Digital Telecare team.

“It proves that by collaborating and then disrupting with new technology and data, we can achieve and deliver even better outcomes. The Shared ARC Platform showcases sector-leading innovation and interoperability. Now we move forwards towards contract award and implementation with our provider Chubb before the analogue telephony switch-off in December 2025.”