Back in 2006, Steve Rainbow had a great idea born from his work at St Basil’s, who provide supported accommodation and services for young people aged 16 to 25. Steve had seen young people struggle with basics like where to store their passport details, or CV’s, or photographs, some even resorting to storing their personal information in parking meters. When a close circle of friend’s goodwill runs out, what happens to their documents? And so the idea of creating a Virtual Backpack was born, where personal data can be stored securely and yet easily accessible online, and Steve submitted the idea for the Microsoft IT Design Award.
Steve’s idea won the award and he was given £15,000 to build the Virtual Backpack. Active Web Solutions (AWS), a Microsoft Gold Partner, were drafted in to build the tool, with Tricky Business managing the UX and design elements. “We ran workshops with service users to find out exactly what they needed, and translated it into a technical solution”, explained Scott Cole, Business Development Manager at AWS.
So, what’s the difference between the Virtual Backpack and using programmes that are already available, like Windows Live services? “The Virtual Backpack has two main sections,” said Scott. “Users sign into the programme and get access to all Windows Live services, like hotmail, calendar, messenger, but they also get a high security, secure storage area where they can store passwords, passport numbers, blood type, NI and NHS numbers – basically any personal ID numbers that are needed to claim benefit, find work or get NHS treatment for example.” This uber-secure storage area is vital – most people using it won’t have their own PC and will use public places to access this personal data. It’s therefore vital people can’t see that information or access it without permission. The section has a ‘store and hide’ function that means personal information is on the screen for as short a time as possible. Key workers only have access to shared folders in the Sky Drive to collaborate on CV’s and other documents. There is no access to the Virtual Backpack other than by the user.
The Virtual Backpack also keeps a log of previous addresses and jobs applied for. This information is key for anyone who’s homeless to prove where they’ve lived in the past, as well as logging job searches to prove you’re actively looking for work. The tool uses Bing Maps to plot addresses and also has an itinerary builder providing the capacity to log travel details to help those who move around frequently.
Scott is running a workshop in Birmingham to raise awareness of the ways the Virtual Backpack can help the homeless, in conjunction with St Basils. A three month trial is kicking off with The Big Issue and their vendors at the end of March – look out for the editorial in the publication next week. “Many homeless people tend to rely on friends which can be risky. The start of homelessness is sofa surfing at friends, but you can’t do that forever and at some point you outstay your welcome and move on to the street or if you’re lucky, a hostel. A few charities like Crisis and The Big Issue have limited storage facilities but they can’t offer that service to everyone”.
What’s next for the Virtual Backpack? “In the immediate future we’re talking to homeless and vulnerable people charities to let them know how the Virtual Backpack can help. Alongside that we’re looking at what National Indicators it hits as far as local government is concerned. We believe it’s the government’s responsibility to offer a secure online facility to the public, not only for homeless and vulnerable people but to maintain personal data in times of national crises like flooding”. Further down the line AWS is looking at developing Windows Phone and iPhone apps as well as usage in the travel industry by extending the itinerary builder functionality. “The plan is to move the whole application to Windows Azure in the future,” Scott told me.
Active Web Solutions couldn’t be better placed to migrate Virtual Backpack on to the Azure platform as they have been working on it with Microsoft since the summer of 2008, when it was still codenamed “Red Dog”. They recently re-launched their flagship solution, the RNLI MOB Guardian system, on Azure which was one of the key case studies at Microsoft’s Professional Development Conference last year.
If you want to find out more about the Virtual Backpack, Scott will be at the National Digital Inclusion Conference on 10th and 11th March at the Vinopolis Conference Centre, London. The event will attract over 500 delegates and 50 exhibitors and is headed up by Martha Lane Fox, who in June last year accepted the role of Champion for Digital Inclusion.
Otherwise please drop Scott an email at scott (dot) cole at aws (dot) com or call him on +44 (0)1473 834560.
