When talking about ICT-based products for the silver economy there is a deep lack of alignment between what the market offers and actual user needs, resulting in high-risk or failed business solutions and reduced demand. One of the main causes of this situation resides in the lack of involvement of end users in the product design, development and testing phases.

This workshop will bring measurable results from the Spanish benchmarking initiative, Orientatech, which is an open user-centered platform for technology evaluation where verified analysis of social technology from experts and end user volunteers, are published.

This is developed by the Social Technologies Foundation in collaboration with the Spanish Red Cross and Vodafone Foundation. Orientatech guides older adults, and other potential users, in deciding what type of product they desire and need whilst allowing them to share their experiences. Digital companies are able to improve the quality, usability and other characteristics of their products thanks to this experts and user feedback.

The workshop will be moderated by the Spanish National Platform of Technologies applied to health, social inclusion and active ageing and will include an open discussion about other solutions addressing the dealignment between offer and demand of social care ICT products.

Speakers:

• Javier Criado Valero (Secretary of eVIA – the Spanish National Platform of Technologies for eHealth, Social Inclusion and Active Ageing)
• Ana Peñalver (Director of the Innovation Projects Department, Social Technologies Foundation (TECSOS Foundation))
• Alfonso Escriche (CEO, Cerqana)