How the Tech Industry has come to the rescue of a Post-COVID World
The onset of pandemics cannot be stopped by technology; however, it can help deter the spread and lessen the impact considerably
COVID-19 struck with zero warning. Amidst the escalating global outbreak, the lockdowns caused disconnection and isolation. It was then, that the importance of digital readiness came to the forefront. Today, it has become possible to test many creative approaches to pandemic response with converging technologies such as mobile, cloud, analytics, robotics, AI/ML, 4G/5G and high-speed Internet. It is through the agile building of necessary infrastructure to support a digitized world and staying current with the adoption of the latest technology that has allowed some business entities to skyrocket and not sink right down into the abyss of non-existence.
While many businesses including gigantic brand names have succumbed to their unpreparedness and lack of agility, and have declared bankruptcy, we have seen many companies that have nimbly jumped onto the tech bandwagon and triumphed over the challenges. We have also seen the birth of thousands of new companies as a direct result of the pandemic, answering to the novel genre of customer demands that this unfamiliar situation has raised.
As this pandemic keeps threatening the business world, working from home ensures business stability. Therefore, technologies that enable secure access to data, cloud conferencing, enterprise applications, virtual meetings, and virtual/augmented/mixed reality are the forefront leaders to ensure deliverables are not impacted. One of the greatest solutions that helps us in social distancing is the blessing we call remote working.
The COVID19 pandemic is the ultimate catalyst for digital transformation and will greatly accelerate several major tech trends. The virus will have a lasting effect not only on our economy, but on how we go about our daily lives, and things are not likely to return to pre-pandemic norms that we have known. The pandemic has accelerated the development of several emerging technologies. This is especially true for innovations that reduce human-to-human contact, automate processes, and increase productivity amid social distancing.
The pandemic confined consumers across the world to their homes for months, and as consumers went into lockdowns, millions were forced to work from home and digital connectivity took even more of a hold on everyday habits, we have seen the evolution of a new tech innovations that have come to our collective rescue.
Here are some Post-COVID, Tech trends:
1. Virtual shops
Brands all over the world have now minimized their logistical costs and moved their brick and mortar spaces to the virtual world. Thereby allowing shoppers to purchase online, with convenience, while enjoying more options to explore.
Arimac in collaboration with VISA developed an immersive shopper experience application that is utilized at their Innovation Center in Dubai. Users get a novelty experience through AR technology; once the user enters the VISA Innovation Center, they will get directions via AR and interactive games whereby where users can obtain offers and redeemable coupons.
2. AR Shopping
Retailers are also beginning to use AR technology to reimagine the digital shopping experience with virtual store fronts. Some retailers have created AR Virtual Closets with the use of a smartphone and the Snapchat app. allowing shoppers to step inside an Augmented Reality changing room, facilitating the ability to mix and match items, and make a purchase without leaving the app their home.
3. Touchless payouts
Hygiene is at the forefront as the pandemic redefines the world. Cash usually not accepted, and customers are reluctant to touch a credit card terminal. Touchless payments have existed for a while, but they have expanded rapidly in countries throughout the world thanks to COVID; and the benefits are significant. To reduce infection and maintain the prescribed social distancing, shops have now incorporated touchless and paperless payment systems in stores through the clever use of AR.
4. Tracking Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Blockchain can be used for tracking public health data surveillance, particularly for infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. With increased Blockchain transparency, it will result in more accurate reporting and efficient responses. Blockchain can help develop treatments swiftly as they would allow for rapid processing of data, thus enabling early detection of symptoms before they spread to the level of epidemics.
With the exponential growth of the number of patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19 identifying the infected patients and other potentially infected patients is a gargantuan task, mainly because of the complex process of interviews and its lack of authenticity.
In order to simplify and overcome this situation, Arimac in collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka came up with a solution called ‘Together We Can’. The tracking and identification of all traces of the infected and its close contacts happens via inputting information through a smartphone application. The mobile app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology which is embedded in most of the widely available smartphone devices to broadcast its status around the owner of the device. When that device is in close proximity with another person who has the same app installed, they will be detected and that specific data will be stored securely. If any of the users are detected as COVID-19 positive, the data captured from all the devices will be analyzed to identify the people who were in contact with the infected person. The application will reach its highest benefit when the entire society uses the app collaboratively.
5. Crisis Management
Blockchain could manage a crisis. It could instantly alert the public about the virus by using the smart contracts concept. It can also enable recommendations on how to contain the virus to governments and offer a secure platform where relevant authorities such as governments, medical professionals, media, health organizations, and media, can create and receive updates on the situation and prevention.
The savviest of businesses and retailers are exploring the most innovative consumer experiences. The transparency that we have gained through this current COVID-19 situation, we now understand that we were not geared up for this pandemic situation. The next pandemic is not a matter of “if it happens”, but “when it happens”. Technology keeps advancing will continue to advance exponentially, but society as a whole needs to accelerate in adapting to it and continue investing in building the technology systems in order to be prepared. After the COVID-19 outbreak, it is evident that from AI to robotics, innovation is helping to manage the epidemic and better equip to fight future public health emergencies in a systematic and timely manner.
So, for any business regardless of its size or point on the digital transformation journey, right now, innovation is a necessity and all entities across all industries and disciplines should take advantage of the capabilities and benefits of technological advancements.
