The era of COVID-19 is a new frontier, full of uncertainties, anxiety, and fear. Yet looking beyond the dark lens of the threats to our livelihood, we must move forward and find solutions to the problems at hand. Studying the effects upon the industries affected by COVID-19’s fallout can help clarify what businesses need to focus on.
A Ripple Effect
Laboratory asset management suddenly moves to the forefront of industry concerns during the era of COVID-19. This unexpected situation requires an all-hands-on-deck approach to pivot in response to a rapidly changing environment.
As we have seen on a more human scale, supply distribution networks have been flung into disarray, for food, household items, and other aspects of life. The greatest concerns currently have centered on protective equipment and medical supplies for those on the front lines battling the novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2.
Yet even the effects of COVID-19 can be felt at far reaches of the industry. Customers needing disposable gloves as protective gear must rely on customer service in lab supply industries. So what happens when businesses are shuttered, or workers cannot work at the office? How can the supply chain hold up when every piece built over time has suddenly come tumbling down?
Furthermore, how does a business built upon calibration, metrology, and laboratory asset management navigate this profound scenario? Workers cannot calibrate close to other individuals due to social distancing. New procedures must be put in place. And at every single step, we must remember: everyone’s health and well-being must be the top priority at all times. Working from that foundation, everything can be solved. It takes forward thinking, which Qualer can helm.
Changes Afoot
What is the industry doing differently with the advent of virus? Some businesses are relying more on AI to help tease out aspects of business such as labor and supply chain issues. Changing production to meet demand requires a rapid and highly fluid response, hence the reliance upon AI for speed and efficiency. With AI, we can surmise certain patterns and forecasts to help ease the supply distribution networks around the world.
In metrology, the effect of PPE shortages has necessitated clarifying guidelines and parameters for making medical supplies. The need for international standards for equipment to battle the virus cannot be understated.
Calibration is being considered an essential COVID-19 business. As such, those businesses performing calibrations must remain open to provide the work needed to continue research and manufacturing. As a result, companies are putting forth guidelines to ensure the safety of their employees as well as to help prevent COVID-19’s spread within and without their facilities. Guidelines for hand washing, social distancing, disinfecting of surfaces, behavioral changes, and other measures are being enacted at various companies.
Sending field technicians to retrieve laboratory instruments for repair or calibration entails extra measures for protection. The minimization of any potential physical interaction is an important step toward mitigation. We are in a new scenario regarding careful thought at every stage of our contact with others. Customers need to know that package retrieval and delivery are also kept to the highest safety standards in the era of COVID-19. Anything that can be done remotely would be ideal.
At Qualer, we spend each day coming up with solutions to business challenges. In light of COVID-19 and the resulting upheaval in industry, Qualer is prepared to offer cloud-based platforms to help manage laboratory assets, search for metrology vendors, and more, across different mobile devices. Let Qualer assist your business needs at this crucial time.
