DeskActive News & Media
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Latest News
New DeskActive v1.6 Released!
v1.6 introduces a wealth of new high-engagement features:
Personalized, ‘fun’ character-based pop-up reminders
Pop-up reminders (telling the user when a session is due), are now personalized, with 100s of different messages, depending on: how many times the user has been reminded, what triggered the reminder (schedule, key/mouse usage, time-without-break, etc), how long since the user last took a break, etc.
Reminders even have character facial expressions related to the reminder.
For example:
The reminder system is aware of over a dozen parameters about the user’s computer habits, so reminders are both FUN and personalized, to give a real personal trainer feel. Many more reminder phrases and character expressions are on the way.
Auto-chase periodic messages
Weekly performance messages are sent to users (depending on settings), which can notify the user of their progress, congratulating or berating and encouraging, depending on their past week’s performance.
Message content can be driven by:
- Past week’s performance versus their targets (for stretches/exercises, OR for health & safety advice)
- Improvement / decline from previous week OR average level of performance
- Reaching milestones, e.g. on first use, first session completed, 100th, 500th, 1000th, etc.
- Best week of performance ever (stretches/exercises completed)
- Keyboard / mouse / computer usage time (e.g. message about it being their busiest week at the computer ever)
Examples include:
The advantage of the auto-chase system is it can further boost engagement, in a personalized way, without requiring manual work by a the remote health provider / manager. (Although all messages can be monitored and controlled by the DeskActive Manager users).
Message content is selected based on the specific scenario of the user (various parameters) and is then selected from a random group for that scenario, to ensure messages never sound repetitive.
Detailed (30 minute increment) computer usage statistics
Computer usage, including number of mouse moves, number of keys pressed, and active computer use time, can all be tracked at 30-minute intervals if required (optional feature).
This can be used to gauge workload and performance habits through the day, generating reports for individual users or groups. It also acts as a helpful way to optimize staff resource levels through the day…
Full HTML messaging system
The 2-way messaging system, which was previously text only, now supports full HTML, embedded images, and numerous text formatting options. Both from client/user to health provider, and vice-versa.
Various Other Improvements
Numerous other v1.6 enhancements to performance, usability and stability have also been incorporated.
DeskActive News - April 2009
IHPM – DeskActive Research Announcement
The Institute for Health and Productivity Management (www.ihpm.org) and DeskActive Pty Ltd (www.deskactive.com) have agreed to pursue a formal study using DeskActive's unique web-connected stretching, ergonomic and wellness messaging software application. The software is used as an intervention for improving workplace health, safety and productivity, in particular addressing the significant and costly problems relating to musculoskeletal pain.
"Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common and most correctable health issues and presents a significant total cost burden for the employer, employee and the healthcare system in general." says Sean Sullivan, CEO of IHPM. "IHPM's Workplace Center for Pain Management will continue its field research aimed at demonstrating interventions that can reduce this burden."
Rick Nevins, MD, Chief Clinical Officer and Vice President, Research & Development for IHPM will head the project.
"The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of a regular workstation or computer-centric stretch and exercise program on employee workplace productivity, musculoskeletal pain, use of prescription or OTC pain medication and utilization of medical services such as physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, etc. "
Josh Swinnerton, CEO of DeskActive says, "We're excited to be a part of this study with IHPM. DeskActive believes that encouraging movement and education for the deskbound employee can have a significant impact on these employees' wellbeing, productivity and total cost."
Study Participation
IHPM and DeskActive are seeking participant organizations with sizeable deskbound workforces, ideally groups of 500 or more employees.
The study will provide regular interaction with employees over a one-year period beginning in mid 2009; results will be measured using a unique online survey tool for musculoskeletal issues and validated tools for the study of productivity and presenteeism.
Research participants will receive extensive health and wellbeing metrics for their employee population, and published exposure as early-adopters of next generation health & safety initiatives. The study aims to show significant reductions in health and safety costs, and reduced presenteeism effects.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact: John Neas at DeskActive 303-945-4595 or jneas@deskactive.com.
DeskActive News - December 2008
DeskActive Launches US Office
DeskActive has officially launched its 'on the ground' US team, to take its world-leading software to the US corporate market.
DeskActive has engaged John H. Neas to head the expansion of DeskActive's innovative software solution to key companies and strategic partners in the United States and North America. Neas brings more than 30 years of sales, marketing, management, brand development and health/wellness experience to DeskActive.
"I'm excited to be a part of the DeskActive brand in the US" says Neas.
"With corporations desperately trying to reduce healthcare costs and provide a positive work/life experience, the DeskActive solution is a natural fit. The ability to interact with employees everyday to address musculoskeletal pain and injury and at the same time provide targeted health awareness is a very unique proposition."
Neas went on to say "I am confident that many partners and corporations will be quick to realize the potential return on investment the DeskActive solution provides."
Mr. Neas can be reached at:
Direct: 303-945-4595
Cell: 720-205-2421
E-mail: jneas@deskactive.com
DeskActive News - October 2008
DeskActive at IPHM's Eighth Annual International Conference
October 15-17, 2008
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort, Arizona
DeskActive received an excellent response at the recent IHPM International Conference. Our conference exhibit featured on the Microsoft HealthBlog, care of Bill Crounse, the Senior Director of Worldwide Health at Microsoft:
"While I don't expect American companies to follow suit, obesity is a leading risk factor for chronic disease, decreased productivity, and absenteeism. Perhaps that's why I was especially intrigued by a solution being offered by an Australian company called DeskActive. I first met up with the company's CEO, Josh Swinnerton, in Redmond last week. It turned out that he and I just happened to be going to the same conference, IHPM, where DeskActive was an exhibitor. I snapped a photo of Josh in front of his stand. The premise behind the company is to get all of us who are chained to a computer all day to focus a bit more on physical activity and health. DeskActive has developed a novel program to engage computer users while they work, encourage breaks, and foster simple exercises that can be done to improve health and well being. Their solution also helps benefits managers monitor how their workers are doing and helps pinpoint problems before they occur."
DeskActive News - September 2008
Konekt Launches Major DeskActive Campaign
Key Australian reseller Konekt has officially launched DeskActive as a major new initiative.
Konekt is Australia’s largest publicly listed OH&S provider, with over 3000 organizational clients in Australia, and 40 offices country wide.
DeskActive feature as a full page in their Annual Report (p5).
Additionally in the report, from their CEO:
“In line with our product and service diversification strategy, we recently signed a reseller agreement with DeskActive to deliver its interactive injury prevention software package to complement our injury prevention service offerings. The DeskActive solution has been specifically developed for organizations with highly fixed administrative staff such as call centers. It is an ideal addition to our broad range of occupational health and safety services already being offered to the corporate sector.”
We also now have a strong presence on their website (see image to right).
DeskActive News - May 2008
New DeskActive v1.3 is now available!
- Monitors keyboard and mouse activity, prompts for breaks based on excessive usage.
- Calendar scheduling allows for sessions to occur at specific times-of-day and days-of-the-week.
- Micro-pauses: super-brief rest breaks (typically < 45 secs), with a couple of quick stretches and ergonomic advice.
- Bullet-breaks: simple illustrated pop-up health tips, that fade on to the screen, display for 10 seconds, and fade away again.
DeskActive News - April 2008
DeskActive at Safety-In-Action 2008.
DeskActive's stand at Safety-In-Action 2008, Australia's premier occupational health & safety show, was an unprecedented success.
The DeskActive team met with health & safety representatives of over 600 employers of office-based staff, including many of Australia's largest companies and government departments.
The team had great responses to the system, and collected interesting feedback and ideas on the product for future development. Follow-up is yielding a strong uptake of installations and trials in the Australian corporate (private) and government sectors, with especially strong interest from the call-center industry, government departments and councils.
DeskActive News - March 2008
Visit us at Safety-In-Action 2008, Australia's premier workplace health & safety tradeshow, held annually in Melbourne.
This year's event is from 29th April till 1st May, and includes the Safety-In-Action Conference.
Click here to find out more and register.
Find us at stand K04 at the show.
DeskActive News - November 2007
Introducing DeskActive v1.2!
Following feedback from DeskActive’s initial customer sites, we’ve added additional functionality and content to provide a unified office health, safety and wellbeing tool, with everything an organization needs to look after their employees’ health and wellbeing in one turnkey software package.
Initial sites are receiving exceptional support from users, with great levels of user compliance over time. Even so, we’ve added new features that will further enhance motivation and involvement of staff.
Features
User content selection system. Users can easily select from a broad pool of activities, health advice and bonuses to meet their individual health and wellbeing needs (from a selection of content approved by their organization, including organization and external provider authored content). Each content item includes an informative description and icon/image. Of course the ability still exists to make certain content mandatory.
RSS advice and bonus support. RSS is a web standard for delivery of small snippets of information (e.g. news articles), with accompanying images and text. It is, for example, used on customized Google search pages to provide at-a-glance latest information on various topics. DeskActive is adding support for RSS content streams to be used as both a source for health and wellbeing advice, and for end-of-session bonuses. Available RSS streams are selected by the health provider and the organization, and from this pool users can select their areas of interest, and receive that information at the end of their sessions.
This is a particular value-add for organizations that do not allow web access for staff, as it gives a controlled way to offer bonus web content as an incentive for staff completing sessions, in a way that guarantees only small, appropriate snippets of content are viewed.
Advanced team competition support. The next release of DeskActive will support team competitions within an organization and across organizations (as is done with programs like 10,000 Steps). Teams and competitions can be assigned and controlled by organizations themselves.
Message system enhancements. The integrated DeskActive messaging system will now incorporate the capability to add health specific content to messages, like draw-on body diagrams, where users can draw the areas of the body where they are perhaps experiencing discomfort, or feeling tension during a stretch. Health professionals can also use body diagrams to help remotely advise on how best to perform activities. Other features include mail-merged messages to large groups of users in certain circumstances (e.g. poor progress results).
Synchronized session times. Some initial sites have expressed an interest in performing their activity sessions together as a team. Features are being incorporated to allow sessions to occur at specific times of the day, for particular groups or individuals (the current system reminds users to perform sessions at a particular period, e.g. two hours after their last session).
Weekly progress thermometer. A new visual progress indicator is being added – a simple ‘fundraiser style’ thermometer that shows a user their weekly target and progress towards that target at the end of each session, along with their historic progress graph.
Improved activity/advice group control. Activity entries can now be grouped into ‘harder/easier’ difficulty groups, and users can change to harder/easier versions of an activity on-the-fly, with their preference recorded. Similarly alternate sets give a user a choice of similar activities, and wildcard sets give the constant variety of a randomly selected activity.
Provider referral support. Questions sent through DeskActive can now be of a specified type as configured by the organization – e.g. “Stretch/Exercise Advice”, “Nurse-On-Call”, “Incident Report”, etc. Each message type can be directed to a different internal/external provider. The particular provider’s details can also be offered on screen, to enable phone contact. Injuries or likely risk areas can be addressed before they become costly staff injuries, illnesses or WorkCover claims.
DeskActive In The Media! - July 2008
DeskActive has been broadly featured in US TV and newspaper websites, thanks to an article published in numerous (> 150) American media websites, including cnn.com and nbc.com. The article, titled "Your Office Can Make You Sick", by Shiloh Woolman of Internet Broadcasting, includes the following section on DeskActive:
If you can't take the time to walk away, you can do a few easy stretches in your chair. Josh Swinnerton, the founder and technical director of DeskActive, created software that reminds workers to take periodic breaks, then pops up ideas on how to spend the time.
"We see you've typed 50,000 keystrokes without a break," Swinnerton said, reciting what the pop-up might read. "Here's an animation of some stretches you can do at your desk."
Swinnerton's company is based in Australia, and he said that country's headquarters for Microsoft uses DeskActive software.
Read the full article on NBC.
DeskActive in GoodGearGuide Review - June 2008
The popular Australian software/hardware review site GoodGearGuide has reviewed DeskActive's first commercial release, v1.3. Extracts include:
"DESKACTIVE is designed to be a proactive solution to help prevent office workers from suffering back or neck pain, or RSI...
...In its simplest form, the software is a series of stretches and exercises designed to get you moving body parts and muscles that normally remain strained or dormant while at work. It targets organizations that are looking for occupational health and safety solutions and that seek to promote a corporate culture of wellness...
...One of the key features of the corporate edition is connectivity to DeskActive's servers. Although the client is installed on a user's PC, the exercises undertaken are reported back to the servers, which then collate that information into charts. There is also an email interface that allows users to request changes to their exercise regime. That input is registered by DeskActive and as a result it can modify what stretches it serves you. If you find one stretch particularly taxing, you can have it removed from your exercise program..."
The reviewer's only criticisms were that DeskActive ran slowly on a slow PC (dramatically improved performance in new version 1.4), and that DeskActive could be too easily switched off (in a corporate environment DeskActive can be easily locked ON).
Read the full article at news.com.au.
