We have built apps over the years in a variety of different industries including retail, banking, medical, education, and more. We know that quality is important, but this is the first time we can talk about an app we built saving a person’s life.
We are in the final stages of releasing the Ora App in partnership with Kasiel Solutions, a Saskatoon-based startup. Ora works like a traditional “Medical Alert” device except it works with a smartphone app, so its services are not tied to a house. It – and you! – can go anywhere your phone can. We had a pilot a couple months back where the devices were shared with participants and they used the device for a period of time to get some real-world feedback. After the pilot was over, some of the focus group participants kept using the device as they enjoyed the freedom and peace of mind it afforded them.
One of the participants who kept using the device was Gladys Zirk. Gladys was in her bed one night and woke up very sick and unable to get out of bed. She reached for the telephone but knocked it off the holder onto the floor. Unable to reach the phone, Gladys remembered she was wearing Ora device and tapped the button. This launched the Ora app which alerted her support network, ultimately calling 911 for her and eventually saved her life. To quote Gladys “Because of ORA, I am here today”.
It is extremely rewarding to know that software we built has made a real difference in the world and that when called upon, it saved someone’s life.
