Pennine Lancashire Business News Articles

PRR 'pens' new technology

Established in 1997, PRR Computers specialise in the supply of hardware and the installation & maintenance of network systems within the dental industry, and have an established client base of both NHS and Private Practices. PRR Computers operate in a competitive and highly aggressive marketplace which has meant that survival depends greatly on customer service and innovation.

The company identified an opportunity to develop digital pen technology for the dental industry.  The product would improve the working practices for dental receptionists. To bring this new product to the target industry they needed to establish best use of the technology and establish a link with a technology provider. The company contacted the DDU for expert advice on how to bring this innovative product to market.

Using the digital pen & form, the data and copy of the document image will be electronically transferred using USB pen docking cradles in the dental practice and compatible telephone handsets for engineers. The transfer process will be automated using secure routers to transmit the data to predefined locations.

The benefits of Digital Pen Technology in the dental practice are;

• Time saving for patient and receptionist.
• Space saving (no requirement for scanner on reception) space is at a premium in the reception area at most practices.
• Environmentally friendly as the only copy required of the form is the digital paper one which can be retained by the patient.
• Accuracy, scanning documents depends totally on quality of the scanner and if a person’s handwriting is not clear then this is often transferred on to the scan resulting in poor to read scans.  With the pen technology it is irrelevant how clear the writing is as the movement of the pen will be transferred rather than how hard the pen is put on the paper.
• No major initial outlay.
• No lost forms (data transferred to software instantly)
  

The DDU is currently advising and partially funding the company to launch this innovative product onto the market. The DDU is also supporting their application through the Finance for Growth scheme for a grant to assist in the purchase of a document scanning machine.