Last week, members of the ORB Software Development team had the pleasure of attending the General Practice Conference & Exhibition (GPCE) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). For those unfamiliar, GPCE Melbourne is one of the most significant events on the general practice calendar—a place where healthcare professionals gather to explore the latest medical innovations, engage in accredited CPD education, and connect with peers and industry leaders.
This was our first time showcasing Exhail publicly, and it was a truly rewarding experience to demonstrate it live to attendees across the three-day event. I’ve always believed in Exhail. I could clearly see the potential impact it could have—not just in healthcare, but in any public-facing industry. It’s a product born from a simple yet powerful idea: to give staff a discreet, fast way to silently request help, without escalating a situation.
As serious as the use case is, I tried to approach conversations with a touch of levity. Whether you’re in a busy clinic, a fast food restaurant, or even a hair salon, the signs are there: “Abuse towards our staff will not be tolerated.” It’s a confronting but common reality—and a reflection of the world we live in today.
Throughout the event, I often said: “Exhail is something I hope you never have to use… but knowing it’s there, ready at your fingertips, can make all the difference.”
What struck me most was how open so many attendees would share their real-world experiences. Here are just a few stories we heard:
- A doctor who had received a death threat the week before.
- Another who had been punched in the face—twice—over the course of his career.
- One clinic manager describing an encounter with two men, one of whom was intoxicated, in her office.
- Numerous attendees admitting they have a physical panic button in place, but don’t know where it is.
- Some revealing their duress buttons are closer to the patient than to the staff—making them nearly impossible to access in a tense moment.
- Several noting that knees, children, or even bags regularly trigger their current duress systems unintentionally.
These conversations confirmed for us that the need for an additional layer of protection is real—and urgent.
We were very clear in our demonstrations: Exhail is not a replacement for existing safety systems like physical duress buttons or intercoms. Instead, it should be considered a complementary layer of protection— specifically when staff are seated at their desks, with hands near a keyboard or mouse. With Exhail, help is just a double-click away—silent, instant, and invisible to others.
Over the course of the event, we handed out brochures, flyers, and business cards, scanned badges, and invited attendees to enter our daily giveaway: a 12-month subscription for up to 10 users. Even our bowl of mints became a talking point—sometimes it’s the little things!
What stood out was how quickly people “got it.” Within 30 seconds, most attendees could see exactly how Exhail would fit into their environment. This is about prevention. It’s about staying calm under pressure. It’s about having the right tool, in the right place, at the right time. And that’s why we offer a free 30-day trial—so you can set it up, test it, train your team, and see how Exhail integrates with your existing setup.
We came away from GPCE Melbourne inspired, grateful, and more motivated than ever. A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by, asked questions, shared their stories, and supported what we’re building. We’re excited about what’s next—and we’d love to keep the conversation going.
If you’d like to try Exhail in your workplace, contact us here and we’ll help get you started.
Mark Libman
Sales and Marketing Manager
ORB Software Development
