The challenges of the digital transition in the eyes of a housing provider and an ARC provider

1​1 February 2026

In a new series of podcasts, TECS Advisory’s Steve Smith has interviewed people in the telecare sector about the challenges they are experiencing in the digital transition.

First out to be interviewed was Sara McCallion, Older Persons Manager at one of the UK’s housing providers Onward Homes. She spoke about:

• The options that have been presented to get through the digitisation process
• The challenges of having systems from many providers
• The allocation of funding
• The problem of finding information about what’s available on the market
• The difficulty of knowing what will be needed in 20-30 years’ time

Listen to the podcast with Sarah here: https://www.tecsadvisory.com/podcasts/podcast-1-interview-with-sarah-mccallion

Second to be interviewed by Steve was Barry Stentiford, Technology Manager at ARC provider Progress Lifeline. His thoughts on the digital transition:

• The challenges of learning what’s different from analogue systems
• The increased initial complexity of digital systems, yet more powerful
• The preference when it comes to connectivity technology and the challenges of using SIM
• The concerns around the feasibility of BT’s Pre Digital service
• The options for sheltered housings to get their hardwired systems to communicate digitally before the analogue switch off

Listen to the viewpoints from Barry here: https://www.tecsadvisory.com/podcasts/podcast-2-interview-with-barry-stentiford

If curious how group schemes can address the alarm communication challenges with a reliable, cost efficient, yet easy to install analogue to digital bridging solution, TECS Advisory and iotcomms.io are offering the Alarmbridge Connect solution.

More information about the Alarmbridge Connect solution is found here: https://www.tecsadvisory.com/alarmbridge-connect-for-group-living