Published by Gbaf News
Posted on September 27, 2014
4 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
• Dell provides innovative communication software startup with tablets and support
• Simple one-touch communication technology breaks down digital barrier for the elderly
• Enables health professionals to carry out work remotely and families to stay in touch through reliable integrated solution
Dell has announced that Visbuzz, a burgeoning software-as-a-service start-up, has selected Dell to deliver one-touch communication technology to the elderly, who may be isolated or suffer from restricted mobility. The software, available through the cloud on Dell tablets, will offer a single-function tool to connect people quickly and efficiently with those who matter most, from family and friends to carers.
In the UK, the aging population means that there are millions who are desperate to have more contact with those who matter most but lack the ability to physically visit or communicate easily in the increasingly digital world. Visbuzz identified the need for a simple solution that would provide reliable communication at a low technology skill level for this demographic. The company created a system that is simple to use but runs on cutting-edge technology, WebRTC, to supply real-time video communication through the cloud. The system is accessed via the Dell tablet and offers a single screen with photos of the end-user’s loved ones. The user then simply has to touch a photo to call that person. To deliver this system reliably, however, Visbuzz needed to find a vendor who would be able to customise its technology to support Visbuzz and who would be able to help broaden awareness of the brand name.
Following an introduction via the Dell UK Centre for Entrepreneurs, an initiative that provides access to funding, mentoring and Dell’s technical expertise and world class infrastructure to help developing businesses grow and scale quickly, Visbuzz chose Dell OEM Solutions to take its system to a wider customer base. With its belief that technology is underpinning and fuelling growth among entrepreneurs, Dell saw the significant potential of the system and worked with Visbuzz to integrate its offering onto preconfigured Dell Venue 8 Pro tablets on a set-up and fulfilment model. As a result, Visbuzz customers receive delivery direct from Dell and their tablets work with Visbuzz straight out of the box. This negates the need for Visbuzz to retain a storage or stock holding facility and eliminates double delivery costs.
Steve McNulty, CEO of Visbuzz, explained why the company chose Dell: “While Visbuzz can run as a stand-alone system for users to install on their own hardware, we realised that many of our target demographic do not already have their own product. By offering a complete package with a robust Dell tablet, we’re able to ensure that everyone can benefit from our solution. Dell OEM Solutions is committed to our vision and focused on helping us prepare our service for market as both a supplier and a promoter.”
As well as helping bring people together, Visbuzz also offers a cost-effective solution for health professionals to carry out consultations remotely. In the first project of its kind in the UK, Dell tablets that support Visbuzz are already being installed by Halton Clinical Commissioning Group and Halton Borough Council in the homes of some of the area’s most isolated and vulnerable residents. The project also teaches volunteers from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), local authority and local community groups, such as the British Red Cross and Wellbeing Enterprises, how to use Visbuzz effectively in the users’ homes. Visbuzz is committed to leading innovation in its industry and has joined the Dell Founders 50, a highly curated group of CEOs and founders who view technology as a critical backbone to business success, to help achieve this goal.
Dermot O’Connell, executive director and general manager, OEM Solutions at Dell, gave an overview of the importance of Dell’s work with Visbuzz: “Digital exclusion is an increasing problem for those who are not natural adopters of new technology, such as the elderly. Visbuzz is a great way to introduce a new demographic to the benefits of technology without overwhelming them. The customer doesn’t see a new-fangled device that they don’t understand; they see a familiar photo frame that can connect them to their loved ones by simply touching the image.”
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