The coronavirus outbreak has spread to over 80 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, as of this writing. As financial markets plunge and cities lock themselves down, our only hope is technology. Experts believe that digital technologies have the potential to significantly slow down, if not stop, this global outbreak.
The epidemic originated in Wuhan, a sprawling city in the Hubei province of China. It then started spreading across the globe after becoming a pandemic in the central Chinese region. Countries worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges in fighting the virus. This is mainly due to the astonishingly high rate of human-to-human transmission of the novel virus now known as COVID-19.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how digital technologies, if implemented properly, can become pivotal weapons for stopping this global outbreak. Our focus will be on major industries that are most closely associated with human-to-human interactions. The corporate sector, financial services, healthcare, education, and retail are major areas with the potential of complete digitization.
Virtual Workplaces
Leading multinational corporations were forced to temporarily shut down their offices and manufacturing plans in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. These corporations include tech giants like Apple Inc. An increasing number of countries are shutting down offices to prevent the spread of coronavirus. And these concerns are genuine.
Workplaces possess personal danger from the epidemic. If one worker contracts coronavirus, the entire workplace could be infected. Singapore, for example, closed offices as preventive measures. Such scenarios could lead to astronomical losses for businesses and economies.
With the help of digital technology-enabled solutions, such losses could be strategically avoided. A virtual office enables employees to work seamlessly without going to their (physical) workplace. However, entrepreneurs and corporate leaders should make sure that they maintain professional cadence even in a virtual office. For example, to reduce the disruption to the day-to-day routine of a workplace, virtual morning huddles of 10-15 minutes. Discuss the plans and tasks and motivate employees to achieve their goals.
While managing a team remotely, it could be challenging for both employees and leaders to stay on the same page. A host of software solutions are available to deal with such challenges. Some of the common examples are:
- Document management systems
- Communication tools
- Team collaboration software
- Project management solutions
- HR management solutions
Digitized Education
Education institutions, especially schools, are highly vulnerable to the coronavirus epidemic. Healthcare experts and epidemiologists worldwide have unanimously concluded that children and elderly people have substantially higher risks of contracting coronavirus. These age groups represent the highest percentage of deaths from the outbreak.
Schools across the world are shutting to protect children from this epidemic. Major cities like New York City in the U.S. and Hong Kong in China closed schools amid fear of coronavirus outbreak. This may significantly damage the global education system.
Software-based education solutions can minimize the damage being caused by this epidemic. From virtual classrooms to library management solutions, digital technology can provide complete technology infrastructure for education. The most widely used education solutions include:
- Custom e-Learning solutions
- AR/VR-based learning
- Mobile learning
- Gaming-based learning
- School management software
- Library management solutions
These software-based technologies can not just protect from the risk of contracting coronavirus, but also enhance their learning experience. Likewise, teachers and school administrators using these technologies have the upper hand when it comes to efficiency. As the trends of digital transformation sweep across industries, educators should leverage technology to their advantage.
Technology-enabled Healthcare
Medical care personnel in China and epidemiologists worldwide drawing similarities between the coronavirus epidemic and the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak of 2002-04. SARS infected thousands of people, with hundreds of deaths.
Healthcare technology has evolved immensely since the SARS epidemic. One of the most remarkable strides being the use of software and digital technologies in medical care. Likewise, the diagnosis has improved immensely with the availability of DNA analysis and similar methods. These medical technologies are further perfected by software tools.
The use of robotics and artificial intelligence has made an unprecedented transformation in the healthcare industry. Robots are making medical care safer, more precise, and faster. AI and robots have a remarkable role in the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak.
Healthcare professionals caring for the people infected with coronavirus are highly prone to contamination. Several doctors in China have died after they treated patients infected with the coronavirus. Robotics and AI solutions can save us from such dangers. With robots and AI tools, healthcare professionals have minimal interactions with infected patients. This dramatically reduces the chances of between patients and medical professionals.
Besides, software technologies have prompted the development of new areas in medicine. Telemedicine, for example, has revolutionized healthcare in more ways than one. It can also be a very effective tool for stopping the coronavirus outbreak. It enables, among other things, to remotely monitor and care patients. With telemedicine, doctors and healthcare personnel can provide necessary services for people infected with COVID-19. Mobile healthcare is another such category. Mobile healthcare solutions empower healthcare providers and patients by creating a platform for interaction and medical care services.
Software solutions that are transforming the healthcare industry include:
- Hospital management solutions
- Mobile healthcare
- Telemedicine solutions
- Wearables
- Patient engagement solutions
Digital Commerce
You must have read reports of retail stores and shopping malls closing following the coronavirus outbreak. Major fashion brands like H&M and Zara have reported heavy losses due to the closure of multiple stores across China. Physical marketplaces worldwide are facing this problem in the wake of the outbreak.
Ecommerce solves this problem – both for sellers and buyers alike. With an online store in place, retailers can easily sell goods even in the middle of an outbreak like this. Likewise, customers can buy products at the comfort of home, exposing themselves to the risks of infection. M-commerce, further makes the process of online shopping easier and more user-friendly.
Ecommerce solutions that are upgrading the retail industry include:
- Inventory management system
- ERP solutions
- Dropshipping management
- Payment gateways
- Data analytics
Software-powered Financial Services
The idea of visiting a bank branch amid an outbreak like this would frighten most of us. Worse yet, banks and financial institutions are forced to close in cases of such an epidemic. That’s where financial software solutions come into play. With a mobile banking app, for instance, you can do every banking transaction without stepping out of your home.
Digital payment solutions have long been changing the financial services industry. Be it digital wallets, POS solutions, or internet banking platforms, the financial services industry is already heavily dependent on technology. However, these technologies have become more crucial in time physical outlets are forced to stay close.
Every kind of business can leverage the power of digital solutions and stay their business afloat even amid an epidemic. Stock markets are plunging and rebounding in the hope of a technology-based solution to this global problem of coronavirus outbreak.
Financial software solutions commonly used by businesses worldwide include:
- Digital payment solutions
- Lead management software
- Loan management solutions
- Chatbots for banks
- Investment management solutions
Wrapping Up
Finally, it takes immense amounts of optimism and realistic thinking to be a successful entrepreneur and/or leader. Technology can give us the strength to be optimistic even in these seemingly dark days for financial markets. We, at OrangeMantra, have always helped our clients to overcome business obstacles and emerge victoriously.
Our software development services and digital transformation solutions have upgraded business across industries – from healthcare to education and from entertainment to financial services. Let’s show our strength and prowess as humans and fight this evil called coronavirus with technologies.