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Simon Clayton, chief ideas officer, RefTech, illustrates how technology with a purpose is the next step for industry success.
In an industry saturated with technology, the mantra of “tech for tech’s sake” has become a cautionary tale for many companies. However, for RefTech, this phrase takes on a deeper meaning. Simon Clayton, chief ideas officer of the award-winning registration and badging company explains how a commitment to solving real-world problems intertwines with a passion for experimentation and the relentless pursuit of improvement.
At our core, we’ve always prided ourselves on not pursuing “tech for tech’s sake.” It’s a principle that shapes our company culture, it’s the compass guiding our technology development and client solutions. As I delve into this topic, I realise there’s more to it than meets the eye.
One of the prime examples of how my geekiness and our product development align is the creation of our ScanPod device. Born out of the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, these devices were designed to help create socially distanced events. Our objective was clear: design hardware that reduces non-essential human interactions during events, from registration to seminar check-ins.
The ScanPods quickly proved their worth, they are now being used to reduce costs and simplify the entry process. However, the journey leading to the development of the ScanPods was far from linear. It wasn’t a result of focused research or a conventional development process; instead, it was fuelled by my personal fascination with technology and a genuine interest in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Key to the ScanPod’s functionality is the Raspberry Pi, a credit card-sized single-board computer known for its versatility. As a self-proclaimed tech geek, my journey with the Raspberry Pi started as a hobby, experimenting with it in my home – creating automated lighting systems and various other DIY projects. I have an arsenal of Raspberry Pis and other microcontrollers scattered around my home, a testament to my natural inclination to tinker and explore. While many of these tech experiments remain within my workshop, some find their way into the systems and hardware we offer our clients.
Our approach is a blend of problem-solving and a genuine interest in technology. We avoid the trap of adopting technology solely for the sake of it, but instead address real challenges. Everything we do is driven by a curiosity that sparks the ideas and experiments that may just evolve into something that will truly impact our clients’ events.
