On the other side of COVID-19

SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE (EVENTUALLY)

As some curves are flattened (or not) and some economies cough themselves back to life, the global dialogue on COVID-19 has drifted from an acute emergency response to a deeper musing of what life might look like on “the other side”. Scores of articles are peppering our newsfeeds with predictions on how we’ll now watch movies, take transit, return to work. If only we could receive a visit from our future self to lend some perspective.

Short of a plutonium-powered Delorean parking outside, nobody knows how this is all going to shake out. In gazing across the pond we can gauge some intel based on what’s up in countries that are further down the COVID continuum. Soccer matches in Germany and baseball games in South Korea will commence without live fans. Denmark is playing with physical distancing in its schools.

In Canada, officials introduced guidelines for re-opening the economy in stages. In the United States, conjecture continues to be the word on the street. Still, at InnerSpace we know we must prepare for the “Other Side” of the pandemic – check out our new series of blog posts detailing how indoor location technology can help businesses rebound safely and efficiently. Here is the deep dive into the eventual return of office work, and another into the return of fans to stadiums.

It is time now, to plan for the eventual return of humans to their workplace. Staff, clients, patrons and public officials will need assurance that public safety is made paramount when doors swing open again. COVID-19 has created an urgent need for businesses to scrutinize their real estate needs, drive revenue fast, and future-proof security and operations. Signs and sanitizer ain’t going to cut it.

Indoor location platforms like our new InFORCE solution can analyze real-time traffic patterns and generate data to inform layouts, routes, resources, public safety measures and more. All it takes is a WiFi signal, and all data captured is anonymous.

Contract tracing is making waves as a key tactic in curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Governments are enacting new measures that have steep implications for public health and individual privacy. Meanwhile, big corps like Facebook are tracking symptoms by country to identify hotspots. And let’s not forget Apple and Google, whose new partnership aims to track exposure via Bluetooth.

Many seek a balance amidst Big Data, public safety and individual freedom. This is a fascinating discussion that won’t end soon. Certainly, the Apple/Google tracking is one to watch, particularly in light of data accuracy and the opt-in process. We believe tracking locations and infected areas is as effective for contract tracing as 1:1 tracking – and better yet, it preserves privacy. This is doable through WiFi, without any app to download or service to opt into. Anyone know JT? We’ve got the solution right here!

This method can actually uncover a more precise analysis of a person’s journey and possible COVID exposure. Say an infectious person visits a typical office space. They touch meeting room tables and chairs, fridge handles, shared printers, the usual. If the coronavirus can survive days on such surfaces, anyone who touches them could be at risk. With InnerSpace we can do a 2-week retrospective pathway analysis to determine exactly the exposure risk.

A 1:1 tracking approach such as that proposed by Apple/Google lacks such specificity. Additionally, we believe that this WiFi based approach is better suited for Public Health officials to manage. By knowing where that person has been, authorities or building owners can target communications to exact locations and times someone may have been in contact with high risk areas.

NECESSITY: THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

These have been trying times, but even in hardship, innovations can rise. It’s been encouraging to see smart tech companies bring out the best in our industry. For instance, we have Willful offering free printing and shipping of estate planning documents to printer-less homes, and Tealbook easing supply-chain bottlenecks and even helping government agencies find protective gear. The list goes on. And on.

We applaud government and industry for their efforts, including funding home testing kits to increasing education and awareness to managing productivity, and more. The NIH is even introducing a ‘Shark Tank’ style competition for inventors to revolutionize the COVID-19

IN OUR SPACE

In a bid to make a difference now, we’re offering our platform free to essential retailers who want to analyze their store data and support social distancing.
Working from home doesn't lead to informal chitchat – which we miss. So, we introduced a question-of-the week during our employee town halls to keep us bonded with a little levity. The latest: elevator pitches on our fave TV shows, books or music. How are you connecting with your teams from afar?
InnerSpace helped the Department of Homeland Security track citizens and first responders to save lives. Find out how the same technology can help with social distancing and public safety. We can help you get back to business - safely.

“That’s the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.” ― R. Bradbury

SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE (EVENTUALLY)

SPEAKING OF PRIVACY...

NECESSITY: THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

IN OUR SPACE