IOT for business readiness

As the world fights to control the spread of COVID-19 virus, president Cyril Ramaphosa has taken harsh but necessary steps to protect the people of South Africa. These steps, in the form of businesses being closed and overall lockdown, has had an incalculable impact on South Africans. While the government has always prioritised the safety of its people during this pandemic, the time has now come to address other vital aspects, such as the economy and education.

Comparatively, South Africa has fared better against COVID-19 than many nations due to, in most part, the foresight of South Africans in taking this pandemic seriously and adhering to safety protocols. It is now critical for South Africa to ready itself for the new opening of levels of business and life.

The reopening of the economy and educational institutions have imposed new risks as larger numbers of workers and students will be returning to the outside world. This necessitates a new way of interaction and life in general. The transition to level three of our lockdown requires a greater need for safety protocols to safeguard work environments and educational institutions. In addition, the advent of winter bringing the flu season intensifies our need to protect ourselves.

The responsibility now lies with those at the forefront of their respective fields to implement protocols to protect those that rely on them to lead through this crisis. The pandemic is still a very real threat with every possibility of becoming out of control. This emphasises the need for us to take extra precautions by every means available. Businesses and educational institutions especially must counter the relaxation of the lockdown to level three with an increase in protective measures. Smart solutions will play a critical role in ensuring this new level of compliance.

Macrocomm is a smart solutions business that harnesses the power of the Internet Of things (IOT). Macrocomm Group CEO Sivi Moodley says: "We have all felt the financial strain that the lockdown imposed. However, as important as the economy is, the safety of our people has to remain our first priority."

Macrocomm has been working tirelessly since the beginning of the outbreak to develop and implement solutions that fight against the spread of the virus. Moodley went on to say: "With so many people returning to work and school, we have striven to pre-empt the higher threat of exposure and allow this necessary process to take place with as little compromise to safety as possible. We strongly believe that our COVID-19 solutions are essential tools in meeting this virus head-on."

One such solution, in an effort to provide contactless solutions to temperature monitoring, is Macrocomm's Smart Thermal and Facial Recognition Cameras integrated into existing access control as well as time and attendance systems. The system provides exceptions on elevated temperature and monitors non-wearing of masks. All Macrocomm Smart Solutions give users access to detailed customisable analytics and reporting.

At present, there is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment to prevent the virus from spreading further. To identify the individuals at risk and support the prevention efforts, Macrocomm has developed a COVID-19 digital monitoring and evaluation tool, in accordance with WHO protocols and NICD guidelines. The software evaluation solution is hosted on an HL7 compliant electronic platform that allows for easy integration with other clinical software systems and will complement the efforts to monitor, track and prevent the onward spread of COVID-19 through enhanced data management systems. It also includes the ability to report on feedback from students, employees or residents.

Macrocomm Smart Solutions has the ability to provide analytics from existing camera systems to monitor and report on compliant social distancing within work or educational spaces.

We are able to monitor compliance to social distancing requirements and provide management with appropriate feedback.

We all looking forward to our lives returning to some semblance of normalcy and Macrocomm's Monitoring and Evaluation Solution allows individuals to do just that with the peace of mind that every precaution is being taken to combat the spread of the virus. The Smart Thermal and Recognition Cameras gives those with the responsibility of protecting others the assurance that they have taken all reasonable steps at their disposal to ensure health and safety within their organisations.

Using smart technology to deal with the 'new norm' is a means of learning to coexist with the virus as it is going to be with us for the foreseeable future. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on all of mankind but, as human beings, we will persevere,” concludes Moodley.