Sigma Protocols¶
Sigma Protocols are a basic building block for Zero-knowledge proofs, Zero-Knowledge Proofs Of Knowledge and more. A sigma protocol is a 3-round proof, comprised of:
- A first message from the prover to the verifier
- A random challenge from the verifier
- A second message from the prover.
Sigma Protocol can be executed as a standalone protocol or as a building block for another protocol, like Zero Knowledge proofs. As a standalone protocol, Sigma protocol should execute the protocol as is, including the communication between the prover and the verifier. As a building block for other protocols, Sigma protocol should only compute the prover’s first and second messages and the verifier’s challenge and verification. This is, in other words, the protocol functions without communication between the parties.
To enable both options, there is a separation between the communication part and the actual protocol computations. The general structure of Sigma Protocol contains the following components:
- Prover, Verifier and Simulator generic classes.
- ProverComputation and VerifierComputation abstract classes.
- ProverComputation and VerifierComputation concrete classes (Specific to each protocol).
Contents
The Prover class¶
The SigmaProtocolProver
class has two modes of operation:
- Explicit mode - call processFirstMessage() to process the first message and afterwards call processSecondMessage() to process the second message.
- Implicit mode - Call prove() function that calls the above two functions. This way is more easy to use since the user should not be aware of the order in which the functions must be called.
-
class
SigmaProtocolProver
¶ General class for Sigma Protocol prover. This class manages the communication functionality of all the sigma protocol provers. It sends the first message, receives the challenge from the prover and sends the second message. It uses SigmaProverComputation instance of a concrete sigma protocol to compute the actual messages.
Sigma protocols are a basic building block for zero-knowledge, zero-knowledge proofs of knowledge and more.
A sigma protocol is a 3-round proof, comprised of a first message from the prover to the verifier, a random challenge from the verifier and a second message from the prover. See Hazay-Lindell (chapter 6) for more information.
-
void
SigmaProtocolProver::
processSecondMsg
()¶ Processes the second step of the sigma protocol. It receives the challenge from the verifier, computes the second message and then sends it to the verifier.
This is a blocking function!
Runs the proof of this protocol.
This function executes the proof at once by calling the above functions one by one. This function can be called when a user does not want to save time by doing operations in parallel.
The Verifier class¶
The SigmaProtocolVerifier
also has two modes of operation:
- Explicit mode – call sampleChallenge() to sample the challenge, then sendChallenge() to receive the prover’s first message and then call processVerify() to receive the prover’s second message and verify the proof.
- Implicit mode - Call verify() function that calls the above three functions. Same as the prove function of the prover, this way is much simpler, since the user should not know the order of the functions.
-
class
SigmaProtocolVerifier
¶ General class for Sigma Protocol verifier. This class manages the communication functionality of all the sigma protocol verifiers, such as send the challenge to the prover and receive the prover messages. It uses SigmaVerifierComputation instance of a concrete sigma protocol to compute the actual calculations.
-
vector<byte>
SigmaProtocolVerifier::
getChallenge
()¶ Returns the sampled challenge.
Returns: the challenge.
-
bool
SigmaProtocolVerifier::
processVerify
(SigmaCommonInput *input)¶ Waits to the prover’s second message and then verifies the proof. This is a blocking function!
Returns: true if the proof has been verified; false, otherwise.
-
void
SigmaProtocolVerifier::
sampleChallenge
()¶ Samples the challenge for this protocol.
-
void
SigmaProtocolVerifier::
sendChallenge
()¶ Waits for the prover’s first message and then sends the chosen challenge to the prover. This is a blocking function!
-
void
SigmaProtocolVerifier::
setChallenge
(const vector<byte> &challenge)¶ Sets the given challenge.
-
bool
SigmaProtocolVerifier::
verify
(SigmaCommonInput *input)¶ Runs the verification of this protocol.
This function executes the verification protocol at once by calling the following functions one by one. This function can be called when a user does not want to save time by doing operations in parallel.
Returns: true if the proof has been verified; false, otherwise.
The Simulator class¶
The SigmaSimulator
has two simulate() functions. Both functions simulate the sigma protocol. The difference between them is the source of the challenge; one function receives the challenge as an input argument, while the other samples a random challenge. Both simulate functions return SigmaSimulatorOutput
object that holds the simulated a, e, z.
-
class
SigmaSimulator
¶ General class for Sigma Protocol Simulator. The simulator is a probabilistic polynomial-time function, that on input x and challenge e outputs a transcript of the form (a, e, z) with the same probability distribution as transcripts between the honest prover and verifier on common input x.
-
int
SigmaSimulator::
getSoundnessParam
()¶ Returns the soundness parameter for this Sigma simulator.
Returns: t soundness parameter
-
shared_ptr<SigmaSimulatorOutput>
SigmaSimulator::
simulate
(SigmaCommonInput *input, const vector<byte> &challenge)¶ Computes the simulator computation.
Returns: the output of the computation - (a, e, z).
-
shared_ptr<SigmaSimulatorOutput>
SigmaSimulator::
simulate
(SigmaCommonInput *input)¶ Chooses random challenge and computes the simulator computation.
Returns: the output of the computation - (a, e, z).
Computation classes¶
The classes that operate the actual protocol phases derive the SigmaProverComputation
and SigmaVerifierComputation
abstract classes. SigmaProverComputation computes the prover’s messages and SigmaVerifierComputation computes the verifier’s challenge and verification. Each operation is done in a dedicated function.
In case that Sigma Protocol is used as a building block, the protocol which uses it will hold an instance of SigmaProverComputation or SigmaVerifierComputation and will call the required function. Each concrete sigma protocol should implement the computation classes.
SigmaProverComputation¶
-
class
SigmaProverComputation
¶ This abstract class manages the mathematical calculations of the prover side in the sigma protocol. It samples random values and computes the messages.
Computes the first message of the sigma protocol.
-
shared_ptr<SigmaProtocolMsg>
SigmaProverComputation::
computeSecondMsg
(const vector<byte> &challenge)¶ Computes the second message of the sigma protocol.
SigmaVerifierComputation¶
-
class
SigmaVerifierComputation
¶ This abstract class manages the mathematical calculations of the verifier side in the sigma protocol. It samples random challenge and verifies the proof.
-
void
SigmaVerifierComputation::
sampleChallenge
()¶ Samples the challenge for this protocol.
-
void
SigmaVerifierComputation::
setChallenge
(const vector<byte> &challenge)¶ Sets the given challenge.
-
vector<byte>
SigmaVerifierComputation::
getChallenge
()¶ Returns the sampled challenge.
Returns: the challenge.
-
bool
SigmaVerifierComputation::
verify
(SigmaCommonInput *input, SigmaProtocolMsg *a, SigmaProtocolMsg *z)¶ Verifies the proof.
Returns: true if the proof has been verified; false, otherwise.
Supported Protocols¶
Concrete Sigma protocols implemented so far are:
- Dlog
- DH
- Extended DH
- Pedersen commitment knowledge
- Pedersen committed value
- El Gamal commitment knowledge
- El Gamal committed value
- El Gamal private key
- El Gamal encrypted value
- Cramer-Shoup encrypted value
- Damgard-Jurik encrypted zero
- Damgard-Jurik encrypted value
- Damgard-Jurik product
- AND (of multiple statements)
- OR of two statements
- OR of multiple statements
Example of Usage¶
Steps in prover creation:
- Given a
Channel
object channel and input for the concrete Sigma protocol prover (In the example below, x and h) do:- Create a
SigmaProverComputation
(for example,SigmaDlogProverComputation
). - Create a
SigmaProtocolProver
with channel and the proverComputation. - Create input object for the prover.
- Call the
prove()
function of the prover with the input.
- Create a
Prover code example:
//Creates the dlog group, use the koblitz curve.
auto dlog = make_shared<OpenSSLDlogECF2m>("K-233");
//Creates sigma prover computation.
shared_ptr<SigmaProverComputation> proverComputation = make_shared<SigmaDlogProverComputation>(dlog, t, get_seeded_prg());
//Create Sigma Prover with the given SigmaProverComputation.
SigmaProver prover(channel, proverComputation);
//Creates input for the prover.
shared_ptr<SigmaProverInput> input = make_shared<SigmaDlogProverInput>(h, w);
//Calls the prove function of the prover.
prover.prove(input);
Steps in verifier creation:
- Given a
Channel
object channel and input for the concrete Sigma protocol verifier (In the example below, h) do:- Create a
SigmaVerifierComputation
(for example,SigmaDlogVerifierComputation
). - Create a
SigmaProtocolVerifier
with channel and verifierComputation. - Create input object for the verifier.
- Call the
verify()
function of the verifier with the input.
- Create a
Verifier code example:
//Creates the dlog group, use the koblitz curve.
auto dlog = make_shared<OpenSSLDlogECF2m>("K-233");
//Creates sigma verifier computation.
shared_ptr<SigmaVerifierComputation> verifierComputation = make_shared<SigmaDlogVerifierComputation>(dlog, t, get_seeded_prg());
//Creates Sigma verifier with the given SigmaVerifierComputation.
SigmaVerifier verifier(channel, verifierComputation);
// Creates input for the verifier.
shared_ptr<SigmaCommonInput> input = make_shared<SigmaDlogCommonInput>(h);
//Calls the verify function of the verifier.
verifier.verify(input);


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1918: Born into the Madiba clan in the village of Mvezo, in the Eastern Cape
Childhood: His mother was Nonqaphi Nosekeni and his father was Nkosi Mphakanyiswa Gadla Mandela, principal counsellor to the Acting King of the Thembu people, Jongintaba Dalindyebo.
1930: He was 12 years old, his father died and the young Rolihlahla became a ward of Jongintaba at the Great Place in Mqhekezweni1.
School: He attended primary school in Qunu where his teacher, Miss Mdingane, gave him the name Nelson, in accordance with the custom of giving all schoolchildren “Christian” names.
School: He completed his Junior Certificate at Clarkebury Boarding Institute and went on to Healdtown, a Wesleyan secondary school of some repute, where he matriculated.
University: Mandela began his studies for a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University College of Fort Hare but did not complete the degree there as he was expelled for joining in a student protest.
1941: There he worked as a mine security officer and after meeting Walter Sisulu, an estate agent.
1943: He completed his BA through the University of South Africa and went back to Fort Hare for his graduation in 1943
1944: married Walter Sisulu’s cousin, Evelyn Mase. And joined the African National Congress in 1944 when he helped to form the ANC Youth League (ANCYL)
1952: He was chosen as the National Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign with Maulvi Cachalia as his deputy
1961: he was asked to lead the armed struggle and helped to establish Umkhonto weSizwe (Spear of the Nation), which launched on 16 December 1961 with a series of explosions.
1964: Mandela and seven other accused, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Denis Goldberg, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni, were convicted and the next day were sentenced to life imprisonment.
1990: Released from prison after 27 years of imprisonment
1994: Became the first president of South Africa and ruled till 1999
1994: Became the first president of South Africa and ruled till 1999
2013: He died at his home in Johannesburg on 5 December 2013.


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Azathoth
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graphics
|
Files | |
| file | ams.h [code] |
| definitions for the Azathoth Material Specification v1 (AMS1) | |
| file | aps.h [code] |
| definitions for the Azathoth Polygon Specification v1 and v2 (APS1|APS2). | |
| file | camera.h [code] |
| camera representation | |
| file | farbfeld.h [code] |
| farbfeld file format loader | |
| file | glcall.h [code] |
| opengl error checking | |
| file | input.h [code] |
| input handling etc. | |
| file | light.h [code] |
| light representation | |
| file | material.h [code] |
| material representation | |
| file | mesh.h [code] |
| mesh representation | |
| file | model.h [code] |
| model representation and loading facilities | |
| file | renderer.h [code] |
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| file | scene.h [code] |
| scene representation | |
| file | shader.h [code] |
| shader representation | |
| file | strutils.h [code] |
| string utils | |
| file | texture.h [code] |
| simple opengl texture wrapper | |
| file | transform.h [code] |
| transform representation | |
| file | window.h [code] |
| window management (glfw wrapper) | |


Debian 10 ‘Buster’ is out with lots of tweaks and better security
by Darren AllanDebian 10 ‘Buster’ is out with lots of tweaks and better security
Plus a host of updated packages…
Image credit: Pixabay (Image credit: Pixabay)
Debian 10 has been released, with the latest incarnation of the Linux distro being codenamed ‘Buster’ and bringing a number of improvements, not to mention a host of updated packages.
The developers note that Buster took just over two years to craft and hone to a stable version, and will be supported for the next five years going forward.
- Linux version of Winnti malware found
- Best Linux desktop of 2019
- The best rising Linux distros around
The OS ships with a variety of desktop environments, running with Gnome (3.30) with Wayland display server by default (but it also incorporates Cinnamon 3.8, KDE Plasma 5.14, Mate 1.20, Xfce 4.12 and more).
Secure Boot is supported in Debian 10 and should work out of the box, and the devs also observe: “Thanks to the Reproducible Builds project, over 91% of the source packages included in Debian 10 will build bit-for-bit identical binary packages. This is an important verification feature which protects users against malicious attempts to tamper with compilers and build networks.”
Plentiful packages
As mentioned, a ton of software packages have been updated for Buster – almost two-thirds of the packages delivered with the previous release of Debian 9 (known as ‘Stretch’).
That includes Chromium 73.0, Firefox 60.7, GIMP 2.10.8, LibreOffice 6.1, Thunderbird 60.7.2, Perl 5.28, PHP 7.3, Python 3 3.7.2, Ruby 2.5.1 and much more (there are over 59,000 software packages in total).
Check here for full release notes, and you can grab Debian 10 live images here (which allow you to try the distro without installing it on your hard disk – although you can fully install the OS from the live image by following the instructions provided).
- Read our Debian 10.1 Buster review
- We've selected the best Linux laptops of 2019


References
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Abhilash, P.C., Srivastava, P., Jamil, S., Singh, N., 2010. Revisited jatropha curcas as an oil plant of multiple benefits: Critical research needs and prospects for the future. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 18, 127–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0400-5
Alencar, N.L.M., Gadelha, C.G., Gallao, M.I., Dolder, M.A.H., Prisco, J.T., Gomes-Filho, E., 2015. Ultrastructural and biochemical changes induced by salt stress in jatropha curcas seeds during germination and seedling development. Functional Plant Biology 42, 865. https://doi.org/10.1071/fp15019
Arcoverde, G.B., Rodrigues, B.M., Pompelli, M.F., Santos, M.G., 2011. Water relations and some aspects of leaf metabolism of jatropha curcas young plants under two water deficit levels and recovery. Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology 23, 123–130. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1677-04202011000200004
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Chen, B., Landsman-Ross, N., Naughton, R., Olenyik, K., 2008. Jatropha curcas l.: Biodiesel solution or all hype. A scientific approach, economic and political analysis of the future energy crop. Chicago Univ., Energy and Energy policy, Spring 1001–1005.
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Koornneef, M., Bentsink, L., Hilhorst, H., 2002. Seed dormancy and germination. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 5, 33–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1369-5266(01)00219-9
Lozano Isla, F., Benites Alfaro, O., Pompelli, M.F., 2017. GerminaR: Germination indexes for seed germination variables for ecophysiological studies.
Marcos-Filho, J., 1998. New approaches to seed vigor testing. Scientia Agricola 55, 27–33. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-90161998000500005
Matthews, S., Hosseini, M.K., 2006. Mean germination time as an indicator of emergence performance in soil of seed lots of maize (zea mays). Seed Science and Technology 34, 339–347. https://doi.org/10.15258/sst.2<IP_ADDRESS>
Matthews, S., Powell, A., 2006. Electrical conductivity vigour test: Physiological basis and use. Seed Testing International 131, 32–35.
Moncaleano-Escandon, J., Silva, B.C., Silva, S.R., Granja, J.A., Alves, M.C.J., Pompelli, M.F., 2013. Germination responses of jatropha curcas l. seeds to storage and aging. Industrial Crops and Products 44, 684–690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.08.035
Pandey, V.C., Singh, K., Singh, J.S., Kumar, A., Singh, B., Singh, R.P., 2012. Jatropha curcas: A potential biofuel plant for sustainable environmental development. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 16, 2870–2883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.02.004
Parrish, D.J., Leopold, A.C., 1977. Transient changes during soybean imbibition. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 59, 1111–1115. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.59.6.1111
Pollock, B., Roos, E., Manalo, J., 1969. Vigor of garden bean seeds and seedlings influenced by initial seed moisture, substrate oxygen, and imbibition temperature. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science 94, 577–584.
Pompelli, M.F., Barata-Luís, R., Vitorino, H.S., Gonçalves, E.R., Rolim, E.V., Santos, M.G., Almeida-Cortez, J.S., Ferreira, V.M., Lemos, E.E., Endres, L., 2010. Photosynthesis, photoprotection and antioxidant activity of purging nut under drought deficit and recovery. Biomass and Bioenergy 34, 1207–1215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2010.03.011
Pompelli, M.F., Rocha Gomes Ferreira, D.T. da, Silva Cavalcante, P.G. da, Lima Salvador, T. de, Hsie, B.S. de, Endres, L., 2010. Environmental influence on the physico-chemical and physiological properties of jatropha curcas seeds. Australian Journal of Botany 58, 421. https://doi.org/10.1071/bt10102
Powell, A.A., 1986. Cell membranes and seed leachate conductivity in relation to the quality of seed for sowing. Journal of Seed Technology 81–100.
Powell, A.A., Oliveira, M.D.A., Matthews, S., 1986. The role of imbibition damage in determining the vigour of white and coloured seed lots of dwarf french beans (phaseolus vulgaris). Journal of Experimental Botany 37, 716–722. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/37.5.716
PowellL, A.A., Matthews, S., 1981. A physical explanation for solute leakage from dry pea embryos during imbibition. Journal of Experimental Botany 32, 1045–1050. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/32.5.1045
Pukacka, S., Ratajczak, E., Kalemba, E., 2009. Non-reducing sugar levels in beech (fagus sylvatica) seeds as related to withstanding desiccation and storage. Journal of Plant Physiology 166, 1381–1390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2009.02.013
R Core Team, 2017. R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.
Ribeiro, P.R., Willems, L.A., Mudde, E., Fernandez, L.G., Castro, R.D. de, Ligterink, W., Hilhorst, H.W., 2015. Metabolite profiling of the oilseed crop ricinus communis during early seed imbibition reveals a specific metabolic signature in response to temperature. Industrial Crops and Products 67, 305–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2015.01.067
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Sánchez-Salas, J., Jurado, E., Flores, J., Estrada-Castillón, E., Muro-Pérez, G., 2012. Desert species adapted for dispersal and germination during floods: Experimental evidence in two astrophytum species (cactaceae). Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants 207, 707–711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2012.08.002
Sunil, N., Kumar, V., Sujatha, M., Rao, G.R., Varaprasad, K.S., 2013. Minimal descriptors for characterization and evaluation of jatropha curcas l. germplasm for utilization in crop improvement. Biomass and Bioenergy 48, 239–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.11.008
Thornton, J.M., Powell, A.A., Mattews, S., 1990. Investigation of the relationship between seed leachate conductivity and the germination of brassica seed. Annals of Applied Biology 117, 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7348.1990.tb04201.x
Vertucci, C.W., Leopold, A.C., 1984. Bound water in soybean seed and its relation to respiration and imbibitional damage. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 75, 114–117. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.75.1.114
Wei, T., Simko, V., 2017. Corrplot: Visualization of a correlation matrix.
Windauer, L., Altuna, A., Benech-Arnold, R., 2007. Hydrotime analysis of lesquerella fendleri seed germination responses to priming treatments. Industrial Crops and Products 25, 70–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2006.07.004
Windauer, L.B., Martinez, J., Rapoport, D., Wassner, D., Benech-Arnold, R., 2011. Germination responses to temperature and water potential in jatropha curcas seeds: A hydrotime model explains the difference between dormancy expression and dormancy induction at different incubation temperatures. Annals of Botany 109, 265–273. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcr242
Yaklich, R.W., Kulik, M.M., 1979. Evaluation of vigor tests in soybean seeds: Relationship of the standard germination test, seedling vigor classification, seedling length, and tetrazolium staining to field performance1. Crop Science 19, 247. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1979.0011183x001900020019x


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Company profile - Canadian Company Capabilities
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Some of the information on this Web page has been provided by external sources. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information supplied by external sources. Users wishing to rely upon this information should consult directly with the source of the information. Content provided by external sources is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements.
Sykes Assistance Services Corporation
Mailing Address:
PO Box 5845 Stn BLONDON, Ontario
N6A 4T4
Location Address:
248 Pall Mall StLONDON, Ontario
N6A 5P6
Tel.:<PHONE_NUMBER>
Tel.:<PHONE_NUMBER>
Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>
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Company Profile
Sykes Assistance Services Corporation is a Canadian based company that provides assistance services that are available across multiple channels supported by a highly scalable virtual contact centre environment. Programs are delivered on behalf of both public and private sector organizations. Services are delivered on behalf of:
Automobile Manufacturers (Emergency Roadside Assistance, Concierge and Roadside Legal Assistance)
Insurance / Financial Institutions , Employers and Unions (Legal Assistance, Identity Theft Support, Attendance Tracking, Wellness)
Provincial and Federal Governments and Not for Profits (Provincial Telehealth Programs, Wellness, Tobacco Cessation Coaching, Emergency Response, Chronic Disease Management)
Core to our service delivery is our ability to recruit and support health care professionals (over 300 Registered Nurses and CareCoaches® on staff) and to manage networks of third party providers (2000 tow truck operators across Canada, national network of accredited Lawyers)
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Full profile
Contact information
Company description
Product / Service / Licensing
Sykes Assistance Services has offered Symptom Assessment and Referral also known as telephone triage to both the private and public sectors since 1997. With 6 telehealth centres and over 300 registered nurses on staff the service is available 24 / 7 through many different electronic channels or by simply dialling 8-1-1 depending on the jurisdiction.
The goal of the program is to help people become more confident in their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones. Most people when provided with good information and advice will choose a less acute setting in which to be seen. Other documented benefits of the service include the support of large populations where access is an issue or during times of great need as was the case during the H1N1 pandemic. By providing the capacity and scalability of a virtual contact centre we are able to meet highly variable demand across large geographic areas at any time of the day or night and do this in the language of the callers choice, something that the traditional site based healthcare system is just not equipped to do.
In fact over 40% of the people who use our tele-triage services are provided information on how to take care of themselves at home with less than 20% typically guided to seek more urgent care at a hospital.
Our service provides access to healthcare professionals and support staff that are available to respond to issues ranging from simple questions about where to find certain resources to complex symptoms that may be signs of significant underlying health problems. Our clinical team has access to evidence-informed electronic decision support with embedded clinical guidelines and health information databases covering a wide variety of healthcare issues.
We provide just in time information and advice over many different channels such as a customer branded self-serve web portal, targeted individualized e-learning programs, text messages, email and regular post.
Service Features:
24/7 access to healthcare professionals
Clinically developed and approved guidelines and health information
o Schmitt-Thompson clinical content (triage guidelines and care advice)
o Healthwise® multi-channel health information, decision support and e-learning
Searchable community resource data base and referral tracking
Electronic decision support, and customer relationship management (CRM)
Highly scalable multi-channel information and communications technology
o Secure data centres with built in disaster recovery and business continuity
o World class voice networks to support virtual call routing and recording
o Web, Interactive voice response and recognition, email, text messaging and chat ready
o Standards based integration tools to provide secure real time messaging to and from targeted electronic health records
Bilingual (French and English live answer) with additional translation available in up to 130 languages including over 15 languages of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Culturally safe practice
Near real time syndromic surveillance supporting public health and emergency measures organizations with automated alerts, text mining, and hypothesis testing capabilities
Teletypewriter (TTY) enabled
Outcomes evaluation support (self-serve analytics, dashboards, syndromic surveillance with near real time alerts)
By supporting patients and their formal and informal care networks we can help people access care regardless of when they need it or where they live.
Using Telehealth to Support Primary Care
Our model of disease prevention and self-management is based on the philosophy that telehealth will work best when it acts as a natural extension of the relationship between an individual and their family practice - what the Chronic Care Model refers to as the relationship between an informed activated patient and a prepared proactive provider team.
Our telehealth solutions can help convert episodic care processes into a care management program where the reach of primary care is extended both in terms of the time it is available and place where it is delivered. We can provide evidence-based outreach, support decision making and counsel for behaviour change all the while supporting the existing relationship between a patient and their primary care team.
Our Programs are designed to:
Make primary care available 24 hours a day and seven days a week
Identify people at risk for exacerbations, and increased utilization of healthcare resources
Support patient and family centred interventions
Increase patient engagement in and ownership of their care plans
Improve clinic work flow, virtually eliminating no shows, improving follow up and preventing unnecessary visits to the emergency department and unplanned admissions to hospital
Improve the efficiency of clinical practice thereby improving economic outcomes for providers
What We Do
Respond
The foundation of the Sykes Assistance Services primary care support program is our 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telehealth service. By closely integrating our virtual care team with a primary care practice we can provide care and coping support for patients and their families. Our care team will provide patient centred assessment, advice and system navigation using evidence-based guidelines and patient centred care plans that have been developed by the local team. Through secure integration we can also support advanced access and other innovative practice solutions. Finally by accessing and supporting a patients discharge plan we can help prevent unplanned readmissions.
Assess
By integrating to the patients EMR our team can help identify patients that meet guideline - based requirements for enhanced care. We will then further stratify the patients to identify variables such as multi-morbidity, activation levels, and social determinants based challenges to care (e.g. poverty, literacy, housing, and transportation).Then working with the Provider team we will create interventions designed to optimize the patients care experience.
Monitor
Using clinical guidelines and individual practice processes we will identify and support the monitoring of targeted patients. This monitoring process can include mobile devices, tele-homecare solutions or simple text messaging or phone systems to capture key indicators such as medication adherence, weight, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation as well as to detect falls or other issues regarding activities of daily living. Sykes Assistance Services can provide monitoring and support 24 hours a day using a highly scalable and therefore cost effective solution. Our monitoring is a turnkey solution with our team managing the implementation and support of all devices used.
Navigate
Our navigation service is designed to improve patient flow and access to services within the clinic, after discharge from hospital and to those provided by the government and other agencies. The core solutions involved in navigation are inbound call handling, automated reminders, follow up and community service referral.
Inbound call handling
The Sykes Assistance Services team can support a busy clinics switch board either after hours or during peak times. With appropriate access we can help create appointments or provide clinical after hours support using registered nurses ensuring that all patients that contact the clinic are provided with appropriate referral and care that is inside of the provider network. This is designed with continuity of care in mind.
Automated reminders and follow up
The automated communication systems provides secure voice and digital communication to help remind patients about appointments or routine follow up as well as providing a cost effective way to assess progress, capture vital signs, coach for behaviour change, provide patient education, and measure patient satisfaction. The communication is delivered without human intervention beyond routine use of the clinic scheduling system or initiation of patient centric care plans. Communication can be in the form of interactive voice response (IVR), text message, email or regular post. Users have access to evidence-based content through a secure connection to the Sykes Assistance Services on-line environment.
Service referral
Sykes Assistance Services maintains a service referral database so that callers and on-line users can access information on community services that are within the healthcare system as well as those programs that impact the social determents of health. (e.g. disease specific associations, housing, early childhood development, social assistance)
Coach
The Sykes Assistance Services CareCoach® program helps provider teams to reach out to patients and their families in between visits. This behaviour support program is an adjunct to counselling provided by in office staff. Our CareCoaches follow evidence-based guidelines and provider developed care plans to enhance patient self-management. Using brief interventions and on line tools they employ motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural counselling techniques to help people reach treatment goals. Our CareCoaches also have access to a network of allied health professionals that can augment existing local resources as required. All encounters are documented and shared with the patients provider team to optimize collaboration and continuity of care. Our CareCoach program employs a primary coach philosophy so that people get to know their coaches thereby enhancing outcomes.
Tobacco-related illnesses put tremendous pressure on our health care system. Hospital visits, diagnoses, and treatments for these diseases demand time and resources that cost taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Reducing smoking means lowering that tax burden and directing health care resources to other important areas.
Our CareCoach® Tobacco Cessation program is available to governments at all levels as a means of limiting the impact of smoking and its associated costs across the country. We take a person-centred approach, guiding each individual step-by-step through the quitting process to ensure the highest chance of success. Along with our CareCoach® Cessation Counsellors, we also employ registered nurses and other licensed medical professionals, and use up-to-date evidence-based resources. CareCoach® offers a tobacco cessation program available 24 / 7 via a toll-free telephone number, a tobacco cessation web site, social media based online communities, text messaging, chat and automated voice channels. This service, staffed by trained cessation counsellors, provides confidential multichannel cessation counselling for those who want to stop using tobacco.
Sykes CareCoaches® provide enhanced support and assistance to eligible individuals who want to quit smoking using evidence-based protocols and the concepts of readiness, motivation and self-efficacy. Using the spirit of motivational interviewing counsellors provide information and advice about smoking cessation, support materials (brochures and electronic media) and referrals to other programs as required. In addition, Sykes CareCoaches® answer panic calls from an individual, their spouse or dependent where the caller is in the midst of their quit plan and is tempted to relapse. Our counsellors provide additional support and guidance to enable the caller to stay on track with their plan.
Sykes has a world wide reputation in the customer relationship management and contact centre outsourcing industry.
With over 50 contact centres in 23 countries and 46,000 employees, (over 5000 of which work from their own homes), Sykes has ready-made solutions for many industries including inbound technical support, financial services, and order desk as well as out bound telesales and customer relationship management programs.
Key Features:
Highly experienced inbound and outbound contact centre team
Leading edge multi-channel technology infrastructure to support inbound, outbound, web, chat and fulfillment services
Access to global network of centres and expertise
Sykes Assistance Services Corporation provides clarity in defining and implementing the appropriate customer contact centre solutions to maximize customer contact access, customer experience, and information capture and customer satisfaction. It is this customer satisfaction and the loyalty it generates that will help and support your brand.
Sykes Assistance Services can help by offering professional identity theft assistance that educates people on how to protect themselves and expert legal assistance if they are victims of this crime.
Key Features:
National, bilingual service
24/7 access
Comprehensive education to help protect members
Qualified professional legal assistance
Unfortunately, many people don't know what to do when they have a problem or emergency at home especially when it occurs at night or on the weekend. These issues are compounded even more if you are a senior living in your own home and you do not have easy access to friends or family to help you out. A flooded basement, damaged driveway, or leaky roof can mean an expensive repair. Who can you trust when your most valuable asset needs professional help?
Sykes Assistance Services knows that home emergencies can be extremely stressful. That's why our Home Assistance Services program is designed to give clear advice, offer instruction in difficult situations, and provide access to reliable service people when something goes wrong - all part of a better customer experience.
Your Benefits:
Builds a powerful connection between your brand and the customers who have used the service
Enhances loyalty because people care about people that they know care about them
Differentiates you from your competition
Your Customers' Benefits:
Immediate help in home-related emergencies
Easy access to 24-hour service
Peace of mind especially for families of seniors who are living alone
Easy access to reliable professional service people
Professional advice on home care issues
Assistance you can trust, with our nationwide network of:
Electricians
Locksmiths
Arborists
Carpenters
Pest control specialists
HVAC specialists
Plumbers
Building Contractors
Glass and window specialists
Fire/water restoration techniques
A Legal Assistance Plan from Sykes Assistance Services provides timely, cost-effective access to experienced lawyers who can guide plan members through most major types of law. The core plan, comprised of telephone based legal advice with additional access to a nation-wide legal referral network for face to face consultations , provides trustworthy assistance and peace of mind.
Key Features:
National, bilingual service
24/7 access to a lawyer on the phone
Experienced lawyers
Referral to local lawyers across the country with preferred rates
Information and advice concerning legal documents (e.g. contracts, wills, deeds and trusts)
Sykes Assistance Services is a recognized Leader in providing premium roadside assistance and contact centre support for roadside assistance across North America.
A Roadside Assistance program from Sykes Assistance Services can help you provide the support your customers need when they have automobile trouble. With just a phone call, a web request, a push of a button from inside the vehicle itself, or via a mobile app; they can have access to informed assistance from one of our operators. If a dispatch is required, your customers can be satisfied and assured to know they have access to a national network of quality towing facilities who can quickly get them back on the road.
Our On-Site Providers
Your clients want fast, knowledgeable service; and our research has shown that repeatedly over many years. One of the absolute core components to that service is the On-Site provider or tow truck operator. Our On-Site Providers are selected and trained to be the most knowledgeable and proficient at providing high-end customer service.
Sykes Assistance Services has concentrated our Network Operations efforts on discovering, grooming, and utilizing tow and recovery operators who are not contracted with other Canadian roadside providers.
Our Service Providers work with confidence and precision on our clients most technologically sophisticated vehicles.
Their role is NOT just to tow a vehicle; their role is to understand, maintain and enhance your brand.
Your Benefits:
Builds positive relationships with your customers by offering a valuable service
Enhances your image with customers
Differentiates you from your competition
Your Customers Benefits:
Peace of mind when they are on the road
Mutli-Modal communication capabilities to match their preferred method
Easy access to 24-hour service
Access to North American tourism information and maps, customized to reflect your corporate identity
Immediate help if a roadside emergency occurs
Benefit options offered with Roadside Assistance:
Emergency service calls (boosts, tire changes, lock-outs, fuel delivery,)
Towing services
Travel planning services
Traffic accident emergency services
Tire & Wheel Hazard Services
Motorist legal services
Hazardous weather services
Stolen vehicle services
Vandalism services
Fire damage services
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system capabilities
In Ontario alone, Auto insurance fraud ranges between $770 million and $1.6 billion per year. People that have been called Chasers usually take control over what occurs at the scene of an accident because they can get there first; offering services not related to towing such as referrals to disreputable body shops, health care and legal services. Policyholders, when involved in an accident, do not know their rights or what to do in the face of the chasers and police instructions following an accident.
We have a unique, superior offering to assist insurance companies to help prevent, detect and manage fraud in addition to providing accident towing.
Sykes Assistance Services will work in partnership with all auto insurance industry key players and leverage its extensive network of towing operators, health care network and customer service representatives to support the business needs of insurance companies and be proactive about fraud prevention activities and management.
By calling a dedicated toll-free number to their insurance company or Sykes Assistance Services , from the scene of the accident or at the CRC, our affiliated towing operators will be dispatched immediately to ensure the vehicle recovery and movement is completed hassle-free and in accordance with the insurance providers protocol.
Key Features
Bilingual 24-hour access for customers, seven days a week
Fulfillment of materials, via mail or courier, or other electronic channels as required
Designated product information and marketing support lines
As required direct access to support recalls and other issues of warranty coverage
How does it work?
When we call ourselves your business support partner, we mean exactly that. We will help you establish a plan for your program, and then manage it with your input. We will also keep you updated on your operation, so you know exactly what products are moving in and out of your inventory, and what the issues are as they arise. As your call centre service provider, our operators become your voice on the phone to your customers. We greet each caller with your company name and salutation, and our service reflects your business goals and priorities.
To increase your service efficiency, we can also act as your Third Party Administrator. We have the necessary expertise to resolve all service situations, from gathering required documentation to settling a claim.
By directly integrating our service with primary care clinics, Sykes can reduce the burden on physicians and provide appropriate access to patients after regular clinic hours. This service has provided crucial health information and advice to callers while supporting the physician's desire to have their patients seen by the right care provider at the right time and location. One of the key benefits of our integrated approach is to ensure that if at all possible patients are seen by their family physician in their clinic during regular office hours. By helping people cope with emerging symptoms we are able to support their decisions to either stay home and take care of themselves or to wait and see a member of their primary care team. However, if symptoms and the patient`s situation warrants a more acute approach we will help them get to the care they need.
Improving Patient Flow
Patients that miss appointments (i.e. no shows) or that are unprepared for appointments when they arrive can cause significant disruption for a practice. In addition patients who need periodic check-ups but who forget to book these visits can cause harm to themselves and more work for the team. Through the use of automated appointment reminders and pre-appointment information Sykes Assistance Services can significantly improve the efficiency of a practice. Also by identifying and then reaching out to targeted chronically ill patients we can ensure that people obtain the on-going care they need.
Coaching
By implementing our CareCoach® program Sykes Assistance Services will extend the reach of the primary care team so that patients can be supported in between visits. Using evidence-based approaches including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural counselling we help providers deliver self-management support to their patients and informal care providers. Our coaches are available to reach out to patients as part of a scheduled care management program or to speak to patients on an inbound unscheduled basis to help with navigation and issues they may be having with motivation. Our CareCoaches can provide access to a myriad of health information solutions including, disease specific self-management advice, preference based decision support, IVR and text message reminders, and self-paced e-learning tools.
We can help:
Provide 24/7 access to symptom assessment, referrals and appointment scheduling- keeping patients in your network
Support prepared activated patients that show up on time for appointments
Coach for lifestyle change and maintenance (tobacco cessation, weight loss and activation through exercise)
Complex patients and their families navigate an ever more complex system
Deescalate problems for patients that have complex psychosocial needs
G001-Health Care
Market profile
Alliances:
- Sales/Marketing
- Technology
Industry sector market interests:
- Medical/Biotechnology/Chemical
- Mining/Petroleum/Gas
- Service Industry
Geographic markets:
Actively pursuing:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
Sector information
Key / Major clients:
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term CareNew Brunswick Department of Health
We Care
Government of the Northwest Territories
Nunavut
British Columbia Lung Association
British Columbia Ministry of Health
Chrysler
Ford
Nissan
Toyota
Lexus
La Capitale
Volvo
Third-Party Information Liability Disclaimer
Some of the information on this Web page has been provided by external sources. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability or currency of the information supplied by external sources. Users wishing to rely upon this information should consult directly with the source of the information. Content provided by external sources is not subject to official languages, privacy and accessibility requirements.
Contacts
Contact information
Description
Company description
Products, services and licensing
Product / Service / Licensing
Sykes Assistance Services has offered Symptom Assessment and Referral also known as telephone triage to both the private and public sectors since 1997. With 6 telehealth centres and over 300 registered nurses on staff the service is available 24 / 7 through many different electronic channels or by simply dialling 8-1-1 depending on the jurisdiction.
The goal of the program is to help people become more confident in their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones. Most people when provided with good information and advice will choose a less acute setting in which to be seen. Other documented benefits of the service include the support of large populations where access is an issue or during times of great need as was the case during the H1N1 pandemic. By providing the capacity and scalability of a virtual contact centre we are able to meet highly variable demand across large geographic areas at any time of the day or night and do this in the language of the callers choice, something that the traditional site based healthcare system is just not equipped to do.
In fact over 40% of the people who use our tele-triage services are provided information on how to take care of themselves at home with less than 20% typically guided to seek more urgent care at a hospital.
Our service provides access to healthcare professionals and support staff that are available to respond to issues ranging from simple questions about where to find certain resources to complex symptoms that may be signs of significant underlying health problems. Our clinical team has access to evidence-informed electronic decision support with embedded clinical guidelines and health information databases covering a wide variety of healthcare issues.
We provide just in time information and advice over many different channels such as a customer branded self-serve web portal, targeted individualized e-learning programs, text messages, email and regular post.
Service Features:
24/7 access to healthcare professionals
Clinically developed and approved guidelines and health information
o Schmitt-Thompson clinical content (triage guidelines and care advice)
o Healthwise® multi-channel health information, decision support and e-learning
Searchable community resource data base and referral tracking
Electronic decision support, and customer relationship management (CRM)
Highly scalable multi-channel information and communications technology
o Secure data centres with built in disaster recovery and business continuity
o World class voice networks to support virtual call routing and recording
o Web, Interactive voice response and recognition, email, text messaging and chat ready
o Standards based integration tools to provide secure real time messaging to and from targeted electronic health records
Bilingual (French and English live answer) with additional translation available in up to 130 languages including over 15 languages of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis
Culturally safe practice
Near real time syndromic surveillance supporting public health and emergency measures organizations with automated alerts, text mining, and hypothesis testing capabilities
Teletypewriter (TTY) enabled
Outcomes evaluation support (self-serve analytics, dashboards, syndromic surveillance with near real time alerts)
By supporting patients and their formal and informal care networks we can help people access care regardless of when they need it or where they live.
Using Telehealth to Support Primary Care
Our model of disease prevention and self-management is based on the philosophy that telehealth will work best when it acts as a natural extension of the relationship between an individual and their family practice - what the Chronic Care Model refers to as the relationship between an informed activated patient and a prepared proactive provider team.
Our telehealth solutions can help convert episodic care processes into a care management program where the reach of primary care is extended both in terms of the time it is available and place where it is delivered. We can provide evidence-based outreach, support decision making and counsel for behaviour change all the while supporting the existing relationship between a patient and their primary care team.
Our Programs are designed to:
Make primary care available 24 hours a day and seven days a week
Identify people at risk for exacerbations, and increased utilization of healthcare resources
Support patient and family centred interventions
Increase patient engagement in and ownership of their care plans
Improve clinic work flow, virtually eliminating no shows, improving follow up and preventing unnecessary visits to the emergency department and unplanned admissions to hospital
Improve the efficiency of clinical practice thereby improving economic outcomes for providers
What We Do
Respond
The foundation of the Sykes Assistance Services primary care support program is our 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telehealth service. By closely integrating our virtual care team with a primary care practice we can provide care and coping support for patients and their families. Our care team will provide patient centred assessment, advice and system navigation using evidence-based guidelines and patient centred care plans that have been developed by the local team. Through secure integration we can also support advanced access and other innovative practice solutions. Finally by accessing and supporting a patients discharge plan we can help prevent unplanned readmissions.
Assess
By integrating to the patients EMR our team can help identify patients that meet guideline - based requirements for enhanced care. We will then further stratify the patients to identify variables such as multi-morbidity, activation levels, and social determinants based challenges to care (e.g. poverty, literacy, housing, and transportation).Then working with the Provider team we will create interventions designed to optimize the patients care experience.
Monitor
Using clinical guidelines and individual practice processes we will identify and support the monitoring of targeted patients. This monitoring process can include mobile devices, tele-homecare solutions or simple text messaging or phone systems to capture key indicators such as medication adherence, weight, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation as well as to detect falls or other issues regarding activities of daily living. Sykes Assistance Services can provide monitoring and support 24 hours a day using a highly scalable and therefore cost effective solution. Our monitoring is a turnkey solution with our team managing the implementation and support of all devices used.
Navigate
Our navigation service is designed to improve patient flow and access to services within the clinic, after discharge from hospital and to those provided by the government and other agencies. The core solutions involved in navigation are inbound call handling, automated reminders, follow up and community service referral.
Inbound call handling
The Sykes Assistance Services team can support a busy clinics switch board either after hours or during peak times. With appropriate access we can help create appointments or provide clinical after hours support using registered nurses ensuring that all patients that contact the clinic are provided with appropriate referral and care that is inside of the provider network. This is designed with continuity of care in mind.
Automated reminders and follow up
The automated communication systems provides secure voice and digital communication to help remind patients about appointments or routine follow up as well as providing a cost effective way to assess progress, capture vital signs, coach for behaviour change, provide patient education, and measure patient satisfaction. The communication is delivered without human intervention beyond routine use of the clinic scheduling system or initiation of patient centric care plans. Communication can be in the form of interactive voice response (IVR), text message, email or regular post. Users have access to evidence-based content through a secure connection to the Sykes Assistance Services on-line environment.
Service referral
Sykes Assistance Services maintains a service referral database so that callers and on-line users can access information on community services that are within the healthcare system as well as those programs that impact the social determents of health. (e.g. disease specific associations, housing, early childhood development, social assistance)
Coach
The Sykes Assistance Services CareCoach® program helps provider teams to reach out to patients and their families in between visits. This behaviour support program is an adjunct to counselling provided by in office staff. Our CareCoaches follow evidence-based guidelines and provider developed care plans to enhance patient self-management. Using brief interventions and on line tools they employ motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural counselling techniques to help people reach treatment goals. Our CareCoaches also have access to a network of allied health professionals that can augment existing local resources as required. All encounters are documented and shared with the patients provider team to optimize collaboration and continuity of care. Our CareCoach program employs a primary coach philosophy so that people get to know their coaches thereby enhancing outcomes.
Tobacco-related illnesses put tremendous pressure on our health care system. Hospital visits, diagnoses, and treatments for these diseases demand time and resources that cost taxpayers millions of dollars every year. Reducing smoking means lowering that tax burden and directing health care resources to other important areas.
Our CareCoach® Tobacco Cessation program is available to governments at all levels as a means of limiting the impact of smoking and its associated costs across the country. We take a person-centred approach, guiding each individual step-by-step through the quitting process to ensure the highest chance of success. Along with our CareCoach® Cessation Counsellors, we also employ registered nurses and other licensed medical professionals, and use up-to-date evidence-based resources. CareCoach® offers a tobacco cessation program available 24 / 7 via a toll-free telephone number, a tobacco cessation web site, social media based online communities, text messaging, chat and automated voice channels. This service, staffed by trained cessation counsellors, provides confidential multichannel cessation counselling for those who want to stop using tobacco.
Sykes CareCoaches® provide enhanced support and assistance to eligible individuals who want to quit smoking using evidence-based protocols and the concepts of readiness, motivation and self-efficacy. Using the spirit of motivational interviewing counsellors provide information and advice about smoking cessation, support materials (brochures and electronic media) and referrals to other programs as required. In addition, Sykes CareCoaches® answer panic calls from an individual, their spouse or dependent where the caller is in the midst of their quit plan and is tempted to relapse. Our counsellors provide additional support and guidance to enable the caller to stay on track with their plan.
Sykes has a world wide reputation in the customer relationship management and contact centre outsourcing industry.
With over 50 contact centres in 23 countries and 46,000 employees, (over 5000 of which work from their own homes), Sykes has ready-made solutions for many industries including inbound technical support, financial services, and order desk as well as out bound telesales and customer relationship management programs.
Key Features:
Highly experienced inbound and outbound contact centre team
Leading edge multi-channel technology infrastructure to support inbound, outbound, web, chat and fulfillment services
Access to global network of centres and expertise
Sykes Assistance Services Corporation provides clarity in defining and implementing the appropriate customer contact centre solutions to maximize customer contact access, customer experience, and information capture and customer satisfaction. It is this customer satisfaction and the loyalty it generates that will help and support your brand.
Sykes Assistance Services can help by offering professional identity theft assistance that educates people on how to protect themselves and expert legal assistance if they are victims of this crime.
Key Features:
National, bilingual service
24/7 access
Comprehensive education to help protect members
Qualified professional legal assistance
Unfortunately, many people don't know what to do when they have a problem or emergency at home especially when it occurs at night or on the weekend. These issues are compounded even more if you are a senior living in your own home and you do not have easy access to friends or family to help you out. A flooded basement, damaged driveway, or leaky roof can mean an expensive repair. Who can you trust when your most valuable asset needs professional help?
Sykes Assistance Services knows that home emergencies can be extremely stressful. That's why our Home Assistance Services program is designed to give clear advice, offer instruction in difficult situations, and provide access to reliable service people when something goes wrong - all part of a better customer experience.
Your Benefits:
Builds a powerful connection between your brand and the customers who have used the service
Enhances loyalty because people care about people that they know care about them
Differentiates you from your competition
Your Customers' Benefits:
Immediate help in home-related emergencies
Easy access to 24-hour service
Peace of mind especially for families of seniors who are living alone
Easy access to reliable professional service people
Professional advice on home care issues
Assistance you can trust, with our nationwide network of:
Electricians
Locksmiths
Arborists
Carpenters
Pest control specialists
HVAC specialists
Plumbers
Building Contractors
Glass and window specialists
Fire/water restoration techniques
A Legal Assistance Plan from Sykes Assistance Services provides timely, cost-effective access to experienced lawyers who can guide plan members through most major types of law. The core plan, comprised of telephone based legal advice with additional access to a nation-wide legal referral network for face to face consultations , provides trustworthy assistance and peace of mind.
Key Features:
National, bilingual service
24/7 access to a lawyer on the phone
Experienced lawyers
Referral to local lawyers across the country with preferred rates
Information and advice concerning legal documents (e.g. contracts, wills, deeds and trusts)
Sykes Assistance Services is a recognized Leader in providing premium roadside assistance and contact centre support for roadside assistance across North America.
A Roadside Assistance program from Sykes Assistance Services can help you provide the support your customers need when they have automobile trouble. With just a phone call, a web request, a push of a button from inside the vehicle itself, or via a mobile app; they can have access to informed assistance from one of our operators. If a dispatch is required, your customers can be satisfied and assured to know they have access to a national network of quality towing facilities who can quickly get them back on the road.
Our On-Site Providers
Your clients want fast, knowledgeable service; and our research has shown that repeatedly over many years. One of the absolute core components to that service is the On-Site provider or tow truck operator. Our On-Site Providers are selected and trained to be the most knowledgeable and proficient at providing high-end customer service.
Sykes Assistance Services has concentrated our Network Operations efforts on discovering, grooming, and utilizing tow and recovery operators who are not contracted with other Canadian roadside providers.
Our Service Providers work with confidence and precision on our clients most technologically sophisticated vehicles.
Their role is NOT just to tow a vehicle; their role is to understand, maintain and enhance your brand.
Your Benefits:
Builds positive relationships with your customers by offering a valuable service
Enhances your image with customers
Differentiates you from your competition
Your Customers Benefits:
Peace of mind when they are on the road
Mutli-Modal communication capabilities to match their preferred method
Easy access to 24-hour service
Access to North American tourism information and maps, customized to reflect your corporate identity
Immediate help if a roadside emergency occurs
Benefit options offered with Roadside Assistance:
Emergency service calls (boosts, tire changes, lock-outs, fuel delivery,)
Towing services
Travel planning services
Traffic accident emergency services
Tire & Wheel Hazard Services
Motorist legal services
Hazardous weather services
Stolen vehicle services
Vandalism services
Fire damage services
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system capabilities
In Ontario alone, Auto insurance fraud ranges between $770 million and $1.6 billion per year. People that have been called Chasers usually take control over what occurs at the scene of an accident because they can get there first; offering services not related to towing such as referrals to disreputable body shops, health care and legal services. Policyholders, when involved in an accident, do not know their rights or what to do in the face of the chasers and police instructions following an accident.
We have a unique, superior offering to assist insurance companies to help prevent, detect and manage fraud in addition to providing accident towing.
Sykes Assistance Services will work in partnership with all auto insurance industry key players and leverage its extensive network of towing operators, health care network and customer service representatives to support the business needs of insurance companies and be proactive about fraud prevention activities and management.
By calling a dedicated toll-free number to their insurance company or Sykes Assistance Services , from the scene of the accident or at the CRC, our affiliated towing operators will be dispatched immediately to ensure the vehicle recovery and movement is completed hassle-free and in accordance with the insurance providers protocol.
Key Features
Bilingual 24-hour access for customers, seven days a week
Fulfillment of materials, via mail or courier, or other electronic channels as required
Designated product information and marketing support lines
As required direct access to support recalls and other issues of warranty coverage
How does it work?
When we call ourselves your business support partner, we mean exactly that. We will help you establish a plan for your program, and then manage it with your input. We will also keep you updated on your operation, so you know exactly what products are moving in and out of your inventory, and what the issues are as they arise. As your call centre service provider, our operators become your voice on the phone to your customers. We greet each caller with your company name and salutation, and our service reflects your business goals and priorities.
To increase your service efficiency, we can also act as your Third Party Administrator. We have the necessary expertise to resolve all service situations, from gathering required documentation to settling a claim.
By directly integrating our service with primary care clinics, Sykes can reduce the burden on physicians and provide appropriate access to patients after regular clinic hours. This service has provided crucial health information and advice to callers while supporting the physician's desire to have their patients seen by the right care provider at the right time and location. One of the key benefits of our integrated approach is to ensure that if at all possible patients are seen by their family physician in their clinic during regular office hours. By helping people cope with emerging symptoms we are able to support their decisions to either stay home and take care of themselves or to wait and see a member of their primary care team. However, if symptoms and the patient`s situation warrants a more acute approach we will help them get to the care they need.
Improving Patient Flow
Patients that miss appointments (i.e. no shows) or that are unprepared for appointments when they arrive can cause significant disruption for a practice. In addition patients who need periodic check-ups but who forget to book these visits can cause harm to themselves and more work for the team. Through the use of automated appointment reminders and pre-appointment information Sykes Assistance Services can significantly improve the efficiency of a practice. Also by identifying and then reaching out to targeted chronically ill patients we can ensure that people obtain the on-going care they need.
Coaching
By implementing our CareCoach® program Sykes Assistance Services will extend the reach of the primary care team so that patients can be supported in between visits. Using evidence-based approaches including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural counselling we help providers deliver self-management support to their patients and informal care providers. Our coaches are available to reach out to patients as part of a scheduled care management program or to speak to patients on an inbound unscheduled basis to help with navigation and issues they may be having with motivation. Our CareCoaches can provide access to a myriad of health information solutions including, disease specific self-management advice, preference based decision support, IVR and text message reminders, and self-paced e-learning tools.
We can help:
Provide 24/7 access to symptom assessment, referrals and appointment scheduling- keeping patients in your network
Support prepared activated patients that show up on time for appointments
Coach for lifestyle change and maintenance (tobacco cessation, weight loss and activation through exercise)
Complex patients and their families navigate an ever more complex system
Deescalate problems for patients that have complex psychosocial needs
G001-Health Care
Market
Market profile
Alliances:
- Sales/Marketing
- Technology
Industry sector market interests:
- Medical/Biotechnology/Chemical
- Mining/Petroleum/Gas
- Service Industry
Geographic markets:
Actively pursuing:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States
Sector
Sector information
Key / Major clients:
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term CareNew Brunswick Department of Health
We Care
Government of the Northwest Territories
Nunavut
British Columbia Lung Association
British Columbia Ministry of Health
Chrysler
Ford
Nissan
Toyota
Lexus
La Capitale
Volvo