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During these trying times when the industry is heavily affected with economical issues came up the pandemic called Covid 19 and disrupted the industry completely. We at Industrial Automation Magazine have taken an initiative to bring the industry together and share their viewpoints so that others reading can take measures accordingly to have minimal damage.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented.
G Ganapathiraman is responsible for managing ARC Advisory Group’s operations in India.
His range of responsibilities at ARC includes supporting the global offices in preparation of
market research reports (worldwide, regional, and India specific), organising ARC India
forums, and sales/technical promotion in the areas of automation and enterprise. He handles
and nurtures analyst relationships with domestic and global clients.
Yes, this pandemic has caught the world totally unprepared. Earlier, we’ve fought H1N1,
SARS, dengue, etc. But in retrospect, those seem like starters – and now we’ve come to the
main course – the Covid-19. For two months, it has been tightening its choke hold on the
world, spreading fear even faster than the illness that it causes. Starting in China, the world’s
manufacturing hub, authorities there quickly closed factories, limited travel, and quarantined
millions of people. Still, it has spread and countries are reeling under its impact. Globally,
“Lockdown, curfew, Section 144” have become commonly heard words.
The implications for business are multidimensional. Its spread has left businesses around the
world counting costs. Whether we talk about the near-mid-long term implications, it is tinged
with uncertainty – because no one can predict how long it will take to eradicate the
coronavirus.
According to ARC’s latest Automation Index Report: Scenarios vary widely, but in the worst
case, COVID-19 will have a long-term negative impact that destroys some supply chains and
causes productivity losses. The global pandemic can cause revenue losses of up to US $18
billion in automation markets. In a world of global supply chains, the effects of disruptions
can propagate far, and the lack of even a single part can bring production to a screeching halt.
The travel industry has been badly hit. Initially, there were only travel restrictions, but now
most countries (even States in India) have sealed their borders and international and domestic
flights are cancelled.
According to a public health expert, no country was fully prepared for a COVID-19
pandemic. Serious disease outbreaks pose threats on multiple fronts. There is the direct
impact in terms of illness and deaths. Then there are people with chronic illnesses or
disabilities who are disadvantaged because health services are overwhelmed. Governments
all around the world are trying to do their best under these circumstances, but to be better
prepared I would suggest the following:
? Pioneer a strong and sustainable global health security system
? Global research on the cause and reducing risks of pandemics
? Develop the capability to produce new vaccines, drugs and rapid diagnostics for novel
pathogens within months, not years
? Invest more in a robust, highly capable national public health system that can manage
the challenges of a pandemic, and
? Ensure the healthcare professionals are well prepared to prevent, detect and respond
to infectious-disease emergencies
Thermal scanners have already been deployed globally at airports, shopping malls and other
public places to detect those with higher body temperatures. International airports have very
high footfalls. Checking with thermometers will lead to delays at immigration counters.
Thermal cameras can scan large crowds and spot people with higher temperature than the
rest. Once authorities identify possible vectors, they can segregate them for further screening.
A few days ago the Government of India ordered the installation of thermal scanners at the
entry points of government buildings and suspended temporary and visitors’ passes with
immediate effect.
When you are dealing with a pandemic the cost factor is secondary. It has been found that
even a more expensive, perfectly precise temperature sensor would not necessarily catch
everyone carrying the coronavirus. Infected people can take several days to develop a fever,
according to the medical fraternity. And travellers who already have a fever might take
medicines to suppress their symptoms.
The business landscape is seeing a lot of changes, and working from home is becoming a
reality. As no cure has been found as yet, “stay at home and work from home,” is the best
option. In many affected countries, governments have mandated or advised work from home
for all employees, and this way of working might continue long after the coronavirus threat
recedes. Remote work is already attractive to employees who need greater flexibility. It
eliminates commuting time for those with family obligations. And the workforce segment
supporting aging family members continues to grow, adding to demands for flexible work
arrangements.
In every challenge there seems to be an underlying opportunity. New business models and
strategies are bound to emerge. I think the coronavirus will drive demand for robots and
increased automation in factories the world over. Several hospitals in China are using robots
to deliver food and medical supplies internally to limit people’s potential exposure to
infection. Due to the lockdowns, e-commerce seems to be flourishing; already Amazon is
adding 100,000 new jobs to cater to the extra demand. Online gaming platforms and
entertainment streaming like Netflix, etc., are seeing major upticks.
The lessons learnt drive home some basic truths:
? We are all in this together, despite our differences
? Anything can happen, and when it does, the impact is severe
? It has made us understand the concept of social distancing
? We are all accountable, and
? Good governance matters.
#April 2020 Covid Special
To say the world is passing through trying times is to state the obvious. Also evident is the fact that for too long the world has been ignoring the warning signs of environmental degradation fuelled by human excesses and greed. But this is no time for ifs and buts, nor recrimination. Instead, the crisis should be used as an opportunity to make the required course correction to make the world a safer place for all living beings, and the ecological balance, restored.
Industrial Automation invited a cross section of industry leaders to offer their views and possible course of action as a way forward from this situation, even as governments across the world and the people are trying to make sense from the still evolving scenario.
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