Technology played a crucial role over these two years. In fact, the pandemic has accelerated the digitalization process, making it clear to all companies the need that comes with it. All sectors felt obliged to reassess the situation, make changes and look for solutions with the objective of protecting not only the business, but also the employees from the various virtual attacks.
In addition, the implementation of technologies suited to the company’s needs, size and sector, allowed the organizations’ productivity to be maintained, within the possible molds.
Although there is a progressive return to the workplace, doubts persist regarding the way of operating, mainly because there is still a hybrid work reality, that is, a mixture of remote and face-to-face work. However, the key point where they all converge is the need for an IT infrastructure, secure and connected, with cloud technology, collaboration tools and technological solutions adapted to the workplace. In this way, it is feasible to carry out the work anywhere, without impacting productivity and information security.
But it was not just in business reality that the Pandemic played a key role. In terms of health, it was vital at certain levels.
Through the use of IT, namely collaboration and video solutions, it was possible not only to relieve the pressure from hospitals, but also to reach a greater number of the population in safety, through the implementation of online consultations, thus facilitating the access to health services. Thus, the risk of transmission is minimized.
It is even underlined that, according to IT Channel, this solution was the technology of the year, given that during this period it had several uses, namely during the period when telework was a reality, as this was one of the essential tools for secure remote work (webcams, laptops). Furthermore, and in view of the return to the office, these technological tools make it possible to ensure remote collaboration, as a team. Once again, the hybrid model, the trend that is here to stay, assumes that companies are equipped with the most robust solutions so that those in the office collaborate not only with customers and suppliers, as well as with the rest of the team that works remotely.
The already highlighted teleconsultations and home care, both carried out and monitored due to the support of technology, could already have their high expression in a pre-pandemic period. However, never having been pointed out to its advantage, it was always considered a little useful technology that, in fact, ended up shooting up this last year. Several experts say that many of the existing chains of transmission arise from a lack of screening and control capacity for prophylactic isolations. In this regard, the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, recognizes that technology has played a fundamental role in helping to “overcome the constraints related to the measures of physical distance and movement of people that it was necessary to adopt, ensuring the monitoring of the users“.
In fact, not only in 2021, but also in 2020 (and it is estimated that it will continue in 2022), technology was one of the main weapons of health against the pandemic, undoubtedly helping to anticipate actions that could boost the pandemic’s dominance.
During these long months of pandemic situation, the following contributions of technology stand out:
- Relief of pressure from hospitals – through teleconsultations, virtual consultations.
- Monitoring of transmission chains – through urban mobility flows, provided by telecommunications operators; the geo-location of mobile devices, enabling the detection of agglomerations.
- The production of applications that make it possible to locate new cases and lines of contact between that person and others, making them risky contacts that must be isolated.
- Use of chatbots or other digital reporting mechanisms on the evolution of the health status of positive cases and possible positive ones in prophylactic isolation.
- Pharmaceutical industry websites that allow the scheduling of PCR and antigen tests, as well as the possibility of purchasing self-tests online.
- Digitalization of processes – such as electronic invoicing, paperless exams and electronic prescription.
In the same sense, a technological movement was born, in Porto, whose main mission is the combat of covid-19, the #tech4COVID19. This project, created by founders of Porto start-ups, aims to raise money for hospital supplies, such as fans, provide delivery services to family, friends and individuals in periods of isolation, partnerships with companies such as “ Too good to go”, which combats food waste, free video consultations for primary health care and various specialties. In addition, there are partnerships with hotels and local accommodations in order to provide some support to relocated doctors and nurses. An example of how technology can effectively contribute positively to society and to overcome adversity.
A study carried out by Deloitte revealed that, in Portugal, three of the biggest challenges in the implementation of IT in the healthcare sector are related to bureaucracy, with the proper choice of the appropriate technologies and the training of staff for an adequate use of the implemented technologies.
Numbers provided by IDC show that one in five small medium-sized companies that managed to survive the pandemic will not survive until 2025, as they will not be able to implement the appropriate technologies that allow them to digitize their operations and respond to the needs of customers.
ActiveSys is the ideal partner for your company, as it provides the services and solutions suited to your business needs, enabling the essential digital transformation today and ensuring your competitiveness in the market.
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