On 1 June 2017 an article was published on the TechSpark news site all about Tap2Tag. It followed an initial conversation with Sam Downie, an epilepsy advocate based in Bristol, UK.

You can read the full article here.

Yorkshire based Kiroco Technology have signed an agreement with Bristol based company Tap2Tag to produce exclusive NFC wearables that have the potential to save lives.

Tap2Tag is leading the field in medical wearables producing a medical alert device that is designed to help first-responders and paramedics gain instant access to critical medical information in an emergency.

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We are pleased to announce that we have signed a new distribution agreement to expand Tap2Tag into South Africa. We have partnered with Allergy Kids who already have an amazing business offering awareness and products for those suffering from complex allergies. They also have connections with many high street stores where their own products are already sold as well as connections with regional and national government.

The company is run by Bonnie Bester and Chantal Waisman.

This represents a tremendous opportunity to move into a new territory with a committed and enthusiastic business that already has links with the medical and retail community. Tap2Tag products will be marketed by Allergy Kids and we will also we offering branded products for the organisation to continue their own awareness campaigns.

We are pleased to announce the launch of a new collaborative product called Tap2Tag+ (Pebbell+ in the UK and Europe). The Tap2Tag+ is an amazing little device that is compact GPS tracking and SOS device that now incorporates Tap2Tag Medical Alert.

For those who have elderly mum or dad living an independent life in their own home you may have come across the pendant and alarm system. This is where someone wears a pendant around their neck and, if they need help, they press the pendant. This is connected to a box in the home that in turn is connected to their telephone line. When the button is pressed the "box" calls a care line facility and the operator can talk via the "box" in the room. However this is only effective if the person is actually in the room where the box is situated. If they have a fall in the kitchen and are conscious enough to press the button, there is little chance of the operator or patient being able to hear each other.

One question has always been asked "What happens when mum goes shopping and needs help?"

The Tap2Tag+ solves this problem and many more besides. Think of the Tap2Tag+ as a mini mobile phone that has a range of very interesting features that provides added protection for your loved one. Here are just some of the key features

1. Fall detection

2. GPS tracking and location

3. Text alerts to next of kin including links to their location

4. Geo-fencing (this means that if a person goes outside of a specified area and alert is triggered (available at a small monthly cost)

5. Completely waterproof (can be worn in the shower)

6. You can make calls to it as it has its own telephone number

Fall detection

We know from personal experience the devastation that can be caused when an elderly member of the family has a fall in the home. Without immediate care their condition can deteriorate very quickly. The Tap2Tag+ has a fall detection gizmo built into it that detects when the device has experienced a rapid movement. If someone has a fall the Tap2Tag+ knows what has happened. After 10 seconds it will automatically contact the emergency contacts programmed into the device and tell them that the person has had a fall. It also sends the GPS co-ordinates of the wearer with a link to a map to show exactly where your loved one is located. Even if mum has a fall and is unconscious, her loved ones will know and be able to act accordingly.

The fall alert is an ideal safeguard for elderly people but will be of particular interest to those suffering from epilepsy or those with a physical handicap.

There are 10 levels of sensitivity built into the Tap2Tag+ fall detection that you can set yourself.

What happens if the device is dropped by accident? No problem. The device starts beeping for its 10 second countdown before sending out the alerts. Just pick the device up and press the central button to cancel the alert.

GPS tracking and location

One question we have been asked about our wristbands is "Does it have a GPS locator?" Our existing devices do not have any power so a GPS location system has been out of the question. But the Tap2Tag+ now has the ability.

If your loved one has a Tap2Tag+ you can locate the device at any time simply by sending a SMS text message to the device. You then receive a message back automatically with a link to a map showing exactly where the device is located. You can also sign up for the real time tracking service that shows where the device has been.

The Tap2Tag+ comes with a roaming SIM built into the device. This means that it works virtually anywhere in the world allowing you to locate your loved one by using a simple text message.

Text alerts and links to location

As a simple alert device it works extremely well. If your loved one is in trouble and needs help they simply press the central button. This immediately sends a text message to the next of kin telephone numbers that you have programmed into the device including a link to their location. It then automatically calls the first person on the emergency list to start a telephone call. If that person does not answer it can move on to the next number on the list.

For those who have a home care line already in place you can programme the emergency contact to be that of your care provider giving you 24/7 emergency care from a human operator. If this is of interest to you then please email us at support@tap2tag.me where we can give you some recommendations for tele-health providers.

Geo-fencing

Alzheimer's disease and dementia are both becoming a part of our lives with an ageing population. Allowing people to continue to live at home with dignity also needs to be provided with certain safeguards. With the Tap2Tag+ you can also sign up for a full tracking system that also includes geo-fencing. Geo-fencing allows you to "draw" a virtual barrier around a location such a person's home. If the Tap2Tag+ ventures outside of that area it immediately sends an alert to the emergency contacts. It is ideal for those loved ones with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Tap2Tag Medical Alert

And now this amazing device has Tap2Tag Medical Alert built in too! In the back of the device is a tiny chip, similar to those used in our medical alert wristbands, fobs and cards. In an emergency the paramedics can simply scan the back of the Tap2Tag+ to gain access to the emergency medical information. It also has the backup instructions to access the information through any other internet enabled device.

HoIP Telecom

HoIP Telecom are the primary developers of this clever piece of technology. We have teamed up with HoIP to develop the only mobile alert device that also includes medical information of the wearer. The company have already been selling their Pebbell in the UK and Europe and the device is well known throughout the NHS. Around 20,000 products have already been sold. The introduction of Tap2Tag into their devices is a major step forward in healthcare. In the UK and Europe the device will be sold as the Pebbell+. In North America, Australia, the Middle East and South Africa it will be known as the Tap2Tag+.

Prices for the Pebbell+/Tap2Tag+ will be around £168.00 (inc VAT). As this is effectively a mobile phone there is a small monthly cost of £3 per month plus call and SMS charges. On average these call charges are less than £2 per month.

We expect the Tap2Tag+/Pebbell+ to be launched at the end of August 2016 but you can pre-order one of these devices now by visiting our shop. Choose between blue, pink, green or black.

Being a teacher is tough enough but looking after the health of those in your care adds yet another burden to the administrative work within each and every school. In the UK many schools now have a Safeguarding Officer who needs to ensure all the right procedures are in place to ensure that your child enjoys their school life in a safe environment.

GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE

The Department of Education ("DoE") in the UK issued their guidance on this in April 2014. This is quite a wide ranging document but covers such areas as

• - developing healthcare plans
• - who is responsible for preparing and maintaining a child's medical information
• - meeting the requirements of OFSTED with particular emphasis on disabled children
• - the child's role in managing their own medical needs

Developing healthcare plans can be a time consuming process. The fact that Tap2Tag has the ability to upload such documents into a medical profile means that this plan can be carried with the child wherever they go. The DoE guidance also refers to the fact that such plans should be easily accessible. Much of the time such plans are kept with the administrative office of the school within the children's file. Sometimes a teacher or other first responder will not know whether a plan exists or not without reference to that file. By wearing a Tap2Tag wristband this will be come clear as soon as a phone scans the child's wristband, saving vital time in an emergency.

SCHOOL TRIPS

School trips also present a whole new range of issues for teachers and parents. Any child going on a trip will need a parental consent including a medical information sheet. Interestingly the guidance issued by the DoE (including a proforma consent form) includes just three lines for medical information! No doubt individual schools have enhanced forms in place for those children identified with more complex conditions. But the issue is very real. If a child falls ill outside of the school environment the teachers need to refer to something that enables then to act appropriately for that child. If the child does have a care plan did they bring it with them on the trip and, if so, is it still in the mini bus? Again the use of a Tap2Tag wristband will enhance the safety of that child.

WE HAVE MADE SCHOOLS AN INTERESTING OFFER!

Setting up these procedures is a lengthy process but we think that Tap2Tag can help. In early June 2016 we reached out to over 15,000 schools within the UK. We wanted to tell schools about the benefits of using Tap2Tag within this framework. The initial feedback has been extremely positive. One of the constant pieces of feedback is that schools find it incredibly difficult ensuring that they have the up-to-date information on a child's medication and conditions. In some cases this information is only updated once a year. The concept of allowing parents to directly update a child's medication and other medical needs via Tap2Tag seems to make a lot of sense. It puts more responsibility on the parents of the children in the school.

So we have made each and every school an offer. We will be sharing a unique sales code with any school that wishes to participate. This will allows parents to buy a Tap2Tag wristband direct from us and we will give them a 10% discount. In addition, every time that code is used, we will donate £1 to the school's fund. The code can be shared with other family members who will also receive the discount but the school will continue to benefit.

If you represent a school or sit on a Parents Teachers Association and want to find out more simply email support@tap2tag.me. We would love to hear from you.

On the 23 February 2016 we met with the Healthcare Team of Telefonica (owners of O2) to show them our Tap2Tag medical alert system. We were lucky that the head of the team had seen the product on Dragons' Den and invited us along to show the rest of the team.  Having been allotted 30 minutes to "pitch" the product to the dozen members we were finally "released" after 80 minutes had passed by.

The Healthcare Division of Telefonica works with many businesses around the UK including NHS England and other supporting businesses to the NHS.  As a result they have some great contacts that can help us make healthcare professionals within the NHS more aware of the product.  In fact the division is geared towards enhancing customer focus of other products and services that may be of benefit to business and personal customers alike.

Having spoken with the Head of Healthcare, Alex Walter, yesterday he is pleased to add Tap2Tag into the discussion forum that his team members have with other businesses around the UK.  It is almost like a "partnership" whereby Telefonica/O2 can actively promote businesses within healthcare that they like and can see a fit with their own customer base.  For Tap2Tag it means that we have an extended sales teams out there in some critical markets that can help us promote the technology and the brand.

This is a fabulous opportunity for us and also a relationship that will hopefully grow over the next 12 months.

On the 26 February 2016 we went as far east as we could go to visit the University of Kent in Canterbury.  The venue was chosen as the introduction of a trial of tap2tag and the learning disability department of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

In 2012 a programme was introduced by the Trust to develop "My Hospital Passport", a care plan document that helps healthcare professionals apply a tailored response to their patients.  Around the country these documents are prepared for many types of patients including those suffering with epilepsy, diabetes and many other conditions too.

As part of the introduction of My Patient Passport the aim was to complete this document digitally.  However the problem that was always prevalent was how to ensure that the document would be accessible at the right time.  Currently the care plan/passport is produced by the nurse/doctor/consultant and the electronic copy stays on the hospital computer system and a paper copy given to the patient or carer.  Problems can soon arise if a patient is admitted to hospital and the patient does not have the hard copy of the care plan.  As a result the patient is not helped by the health team in a way that has already been agreed.

A tap2tag medical profile now allows for documents to be uploaded and then make them available at the appropriate time.  This means that a patient with a care plan simply needs to wear their tap2tag wristband when dealing with any healthcare professional.  By accessing the patient's medical profile, either by tapping their phone or accessing via a tablet/PC, the care plan can be made available in about 10 seconds.

At the launch event we had a number of interested parties attend including carers, patients and representatives from other departments within East Kent NHS Trust.  Also attending the event were Sallyann Baxter and Wendy Bennett (leads for Adult Safeguarding in the Kent Clinical Commissioning Group).  Feedback from the entire group was extremely positive and supportive.  The next stage is to obtain the various clinical consents to get the trial under way.  This should take around 14 days.

Dr Chris Farmer will be the clinical lead on the trial and will be assisted by Daniel Marsden and Jean Irving.  The results are being administered by the University of Kent.  In the next few weeks the trial is expected to be extended from the Learning Disability department to the Renal team too.

The whole trial is expected to last 6 months.  If successful it will prove that tap2tag has a solution to one of the most pressing problems within the NHS; the portability of care plans.

21 January 2016

19 January 2016 update

We are nearly there with the preparation of of launch onto the CrowdCube fund raising website but we just wanted to let you know how you can register in case you would like to invest in this exciting business and help us on our journey.  Take a look at our latest help page by clicking here.  We will also be working on the video for our pitch on Wednesday, which should be up on our YouTube channel by the end of the week.

We have some more exciting news to tell but we will be keeping the cards close to the chest for a few more days.  Make sure that you have signed up to our newsletter and our Facebook page to get the information first.

Serendipity...

Since we launched tap2tag in May 2014 we have been stoking fires in all corners of the UK's healthcare market.  Some fires burn brightly for a time then dwindle away and others have been slow to ignite.  As we come up to the Christmas period it seems as though all fires (and interest) are bursting into life.

Our scheduled appearance on Dragons' Den on BBC2 on the 27 December 2015 appears to be the catalyst for the next stage in tap2tag's development.  But it is also a time where we have finally managed to get tap2tag onto the product listing for Lloyds Pharmacy and Amazon.  The NHS in East Kent have confirmed that they want to commence a trial of our products, under the scrutiny of the University of Kent, to see how the devices can help those with learning difficulties as well as renal patients.  Interest in the UK is growing rapidly and with exposure of the product to around 5% of the UK's population on the 27 December, we think that developments will grow considerably in 2016.

But interest has also come from overseas.  We are in advanced discussions with a distributor in Canada who wants to launch tap2tag in the North American marketplace.  Interest has also come from a consortium in Germany, headed by a professor in medicine from Mainz University.  We have also been discussing with a distributor in Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria about the potential for getting tap2tag into sub-Saharan countries too.

To capitalise on this interest we need further investment.  As a result we have applied to CrowdCube.com  to launch a crowd funding share issue to raise funds to grow the business in a structured fashion.  The CrowdCube offering will be made via their website and it is hoped to have this live by the end of December 2015.  But please remember that your capital invested is at risk from any such investment.

We will, of course, keep you updated.  Please sign up to our newsletter (at the foot of our home page) and we will bring you the latest news when we have it.

Why don't we charge for Tap2Tag?

When looking at an on-line service there are three main pricing strategies: Premium, Subscription and Freemium.  So what is the right choice for your product or service?

In 2013 around 71% of all revenue was generated on free iPhone apps (or freemium content).  This means that the app itself was free but other features (virtual goods, extra levels, services etc) were made available during in play usage.  A further 24% came from Premium content within the iPhone app store (one off purchase).  So you can see (by doing a little maths) how little came from the subscription based content!

So apps are all about the up sell.  Attract the customer in with some free service (easier with web based products) and then try and up sell other services once you have them on board.  How would a customer be put off by an upfront fee to pay for an app or an on-line service.  So let's get into the specifics.

Premium on-line services (such as apps) have an upfront price before they can be downloaded or used.  Similar to licensed software, except that the phone app stores make all future upgrades to the premium service free of charge once the customer has made their purchase.

Compare this with freemium where the service is free to use and download.  However some features within the service are unavailable until you pay for them (extra lives etc).  App stores make it really simple for businesses to charge small amounts of money inside the app or service.

Subscriptions are a regular fixed fee the user is charged automatically for using the service.  Magazines or other "print" media often charge a subscription to view their products on-line.  Subscriptions can often overlap with other premium or freemium models.  For example Spotify requires a subscription to even use the premium app, while Pandora is closer to freemium where you can pay a subscription to get ad-free and unlimited hours of music.

But this is not the end of the conundrum.  What about a free to use service where there is no premium content?  Revenue is generated from advertising and clicks and other clever stuff that advertisers in the 1980's could only dream of.  As a consumer we have almost become blinkered to this method of revenue generation.  Just ask the 1.55 billion Facebook users.

Strengths and Weaknesses of a Subscription based service

Compared to the other business models, subscriptions tend to offer medium revenue potential and medium to high profit potential. Subscriptions are uncommon (but not unheard of) with premium products and services, but at the right price point, the company can see high volume. Subscriptions can offer high profit potential depending on customer usage. For services that are lightly used, the cumulative subscription fees will more than cover operating expenses.

Relative to other retail models, the subscription model tends to be fairly low in complexity. Most companies that employ subscriptions only need to manage 2-3 pricing tiers, instead of pricing individual products and services.

Depending on pricing and timing, subscriptions can either raise or lower switching costs for customers. In general, switching costs are relatively low on-line, with competitors only a click away on the internet, but services where customers accumulate information or network benefits, it becomes hard to switch to a competing service.

From the customer perspective, subscription services can have drawbacks, particularly for those who hate recurring automatic charges. In general, customers find the benefits will outweigh these concerns. Many companies use subscriptions to help customers spread out or lower payments for a service that they would have to pay much more for up front. In addition, subscriptions provide guaranteed access, which many customers appreciate.

However, for a new product or service, attempting to charge a subscription puts an immediate barrier to securing that new customer.  This is especially true when the product is innovative or uses technologies that have yet to be common place in general parlance.

So what is the Tap2Tag service?

For those who are new to tap2tag, we sell medical alert devices that can be scanned by first responders to reveal a patient's medical information.  Customers store their information on a secure web portal and the devices they purchase are linked to that profile.

The system uses, in part, a new technology built into mobile phones called Near Field Communication (or "NFC").  By simply tapping a NFC enabled phone against the device the medical information simply appears on the first-responder's mobile phone.

So the question we keep asking ourselves is "Are we selling a product with a service attached?" or "Are we providing a service for the price of a product?".  After three years we think we are getting closer to the answer but that might all change again by breakfast tomorrow!

In essence we sell products that generate an immediate profit.  We are then allowing customers for an ongoing use of our software and portal to maintain their medical information.  So, at the moment, this is a FREE service that is benefiting many vulnerable individuals.  But tap2tag will soon be moving into the Freemium sector as we enhance features within the system.  We hope to be able to link the tap2tag medical profiles with the NHS Summary Care Records ("SCR") that will provide immediate updates of a client's medical information direct from the NHS records.  Our system is so versatile that it can also link with any other medical database.  By including this functionality to our customers we will seek to request a small subscription if they want this service.

More importantly though, we do not wish to disenfranchise our existing and loyal customers so our intention is to always offer the free portal service where customers can update their own information.  In fact some of our customers know more about their medical conditions than their healthcare team!

What's right for you?

So we have talked a little about the different approaches to ongoing revenue streams in a service based environment but choosing the right one for you is going to be a personal choice.  Subscriptions seem an easy choice, especially in a market where subscriptions are already charged.  But if you are trying to create a unique selling proposition offering anything for FREE certainly catches the eye.  Before you choose your route find out what your customers want.  We certainly did this with tap2tag.  Catch a customer who has just been sent a renewal form from their service provider and say you can do the same for free, then the sale is very easy indeed.

Tap2Tag are in the process of seeking investment to accelerate the growth we have experienced over the last few years, especially in overseas markets.  If you would like to join us on our journey please click on the link here.

As you may know we will be launching on CrowdCube in the next few weeks.  Our aim is to raise £150,000 to help us develop tap2tag in the UK but also in some overseas markets that have been attracted to the tap2tag system.  CrowdCube is a crowd funding website and is one of the most trusted and successful organisations for raising funds for new, innovative businesses.  Just to be listed on the website is a bit of a coup.

We already have received some significant interest from potential investors who will be investing via the CrowdCube service.  If you want to get involved then you need to be registered in advance.  Quite simply, when the £150,000 has been raised, then the door is potentially shut so you may be too late.

Shares in Tap2Tag Limited are being offered and full details will be made available within the CrowdCube portal.  So if you are interested in investing (minimum investment £10!) then here is a quick guide on how to do it.

1. Go to www.crowdcube.com

2. In the top right is a button marked JOIN.  Click on this button.

3. Complete your details for first name, last name, email address and create a password.  You will also need to create a nickname.  Be creative!  Don't forget to tick the box to agree to CrowdCube's terms and conditions.

4. You will now be presented with a screen like the one below

Most individuals fit into the first box of "Everyday Investor".  If you think you fit into one of the other categories then please seek some help from a financial advisor.  Select the box that's right for you.  Finally click the green box at the end and that's it.

You can now view all of the investments listed on CrowdCube.

Tap2Tag will be up there shortly and we will let you know as soon as that happens.

Your capital may be at risk when investing in new businesses.