Scheduling and management for deliveries of vital food and medical supplies to the elderly and vulnerable during the COVID 19 crisis and beyond and developing new ways for access to and delivery of services.

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The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted that there are many members of the community who are at risk. The elderly, vulnerable and socially isolated have always been there, but now more than ever they need help.We produce software for Local Authorities and Community Transport operators to provide efficient, cost effective transport for these often neglected members of our community, so we already understand their needs and vulnerabilities.We now have the opportunity to help, with funding from Innovate UK, by providing new ways for people to get the assistance they need and for the authorities to manage the delivery of essential supplies and other services in an efficient and cost effective way.The new software will provide multiple access channels for people to get what they need and allow the authorities to use innovative new methods of delivery.For telephone access, authority's call centres or home workers will have access to the system to register first time callers and place orders on their behalf. Internet access will be provided by simple to use online forms accessed through links on the authority's website.However, the most innovative access will be using Alexa smart speakers. These are already being rolled out by Local Authorities to combat social isolation and to assist the elderly and disabled, so the addition of new Alexa skills to provide direct access to urgent supplies and services will be of massive benefit at this difficult time, particularly for authorities already struggling with lack of staff resources to answer phone calls due to the pandemic.The software will also allow the authorities to utilise e-cargo bikes for the delivery of supplies by optimising routes specifically to extend their range.