Much as one would like to steer the discourse away from the Covid-19 pandemic and the trail of damage and destruction it has caused, there is no escape from it.
Published on : Tuesday 30-06-2020
Whatever the topic – industry, commerce, economy, society or personal life, and even national security – the discussion soon veers around to the disruption the deadly virus has caused.
By now, it is clear that an effective vaccine is the only long term solution, which by the most optimistic estimates is still a good six months away, if not more. In the meanwhile, several drugs have been introduced in the market, including one by Patanjali Ayurved Research Institute. However, these are seen more as preventive measures rather than guaranteed cure. In the absence of that, the only alternative is effective social distancing and strict discipline in observing the simple precautions of wearing the face mask in public and observing personal cleanliness, especially hands. While this sounds simple, the irony is not many are putting it into practice. The result is for all to see – a continuous surge in cases across the world barring a few honourable exceptions.
In the meanwhile, companies are finding innovative ways to facilitate, not a return to the good old days, but adjustment with the ‘new normal’, with a regime of Do’s and Don’ts and safety precautions. In this direction, for example, is the strategic partnership announced by Salesforce and Siemens, to develop a new workplace technology suite that will support businesses globally to safely reopen and deliver the future experience for physical
workplaces. The partnership will combine Salesforce's Work.com, powered by Customer 360, and Siemens Smart Infrastructure solutions, including Comfy and Enlighted, to orchestrate the processes, people and things that are essential to creating safe, connected workplaces for the future. Many other such initiatives by various technology companies are complementing such efforts. Trade fairs and show organisers have shifted their events from the physical to the digital space. The show, as the cliché goes, must go on.
The Cover Story of the July 2020 Digital Edition of Industrial Automation also talks about how Digital Transformation can help companies deal more effectively by disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As one expert points out, many companies are now lamenting the fact that had they started the transformation earlier, today they would have been in better position to face the situation with significantly lower adverse consequences. Similar is the case with the often maligned robot, which is now among the frontline warriors in its various avatars – from dispensing sanitizers to serving patients in hospitals – the versatile robot has proved once again that it is no threat, just another tool of technology that can be channelised effectively in service of humanity.
