Assystel, connected raspberry (“framboise”) for senior citizens
Assystel is an innovative company operating in the silver economy, and employs 40 people between the site of Signy-le-Petit in the Ardennes, and that of Evry.
The adventure began in 1977, and from the beginning innovation was at the heart of the enterprise which manufactured telecommunications equipment for Alcatel, France Telecom and others. Then it developed an interest in prevention devices for the elderly, but its development faced adoption difficulties ("nobody's going to monitor me, I'm fine"). Indeed, only 40% of our elderly citizens carry this alarm equipment. How can a greater number be made to accept them?
Alexis Roche, then marketing director of Assystel and SEDECA (CDK France Industries) came up with a strategy by combining design, marketing and technological development, putting forward a mixed product / service approach. This inspired, indefatigable young business school graduate knew that the market was still developing, that the usual materials were ugly and stigmatising. He decided to convert this technological product into an adornment, an elegant object that was not embarrassing to wear: jewellery, a pendant with shimmering colours for ladies, raspberry in colour, and a medallion worn on a belt or key ring, blue for men, but each to their own and in the end women also choose blue!
The technology is embedded in a "Framboise" (French word for raspberry) installed in the home, giving protection to our loved one. In parallel, Assystel includes a hotline that is accessible at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 17 hostesses respond patiently and with empathy to all requests from members, from the more mundane such as the late delivery of meals to the more urgent, such as a fall or illness.
More recently, Assystel launched an alarm phone adapted to the expertise of each person, more or less sophisticated, to ensure the safety of its customers while mobile outside the home.
And the cherry on the cake, so to speak, Alexis Roche upon becoming general manager of the companies established a new social project: one senior citizen subscribing to a "Framboise" = one planted raspberry! An agreement has been made with a raspberry grower in Eure for Assystel to finance the planting of a raspberry bush for each new subscription, which it uses to promote a community on the "Framboise Connectee" blog or on Facebook...
The embedded electronics company that 40 years ago turned into a technology company combining design with happiness, innovation and services, is working for the environment and offers quality attention and a link to its customers. A marketing strategy model that works and drives the Silver Economy in the heart of the Ardennes.
By Ardennes Développement, the Ardennes economic development agency - ardennes-developpement.com