The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough for businesses and organizations across the globe, halting the physical operations of many for a prolonged period. However, with the lockdown now gradually lifting up and companies gearing up for a cautious reopening, it is essential for the organizations to be ready for a new, different world from what they knew before they went into lockdown. Given that the risk of infection still looms over, organizations ought to take the help of new-age tools and technology to be able to continue their standard operations diligently and efficiently.

Workforce safety in the New Normal

Ensuring the on-premise safety of workers and employees is the first essential requirement for organizations in these testing times. This can be made possible by effective deployment of AI-powered devices such as advanced IoT solutions and cameras, which intelligently map out the traffic and footfall on the floor to determine if social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines are being duly followed by the employees. The sensors installed on this equipment collect real-time, accurate information on the employee functioning and movement and give out alerts in case of violation of the essential COVID-19 norms.

Surveillance cameras plugged into computer vision systems such as facial recognition, object classification, and human activity recognition among others, are also useful in monitoring the health and safety of the workforce. Moreover, these cameras also provide enhanced visibility into potential issues related to workplace safety and security.

To further build on this, Edge computing is a powerful technology that processes information fairly closer to the source of action. Panorama-based implementation of vision solutions is an example of how edge solutions play an increasingly important role in safeguarding your work environment.

Also, as companies are required to function in a fundamentally different setting with a limited number of people on the floor, capacity planning becomes essential. To optimize the workplaces, real-time data and insights generated through Artificial Intelligence can assist companies in rearranging their floor plans with advanced demand planning and labor optimization. This ensures that the flow of workers in the facilities does not exceed the safety thresholds, thereby driving floor efficiencies and compliance.

Gaining an edge in the New World

The COVID-19 crisis has also radically altered the shopping and buying behavior of consumers, who now prefer to shop for goods and services online. Any resistance to online transactions and shopping that there may have been in the pre-pandemic world has withered away. Take the example of the CPG sector. The DTC tsunami during the pandemic has reduced brand loyalty for traditional CPG players. This naturally means that conventional CPG brands will have to alter their ways of working to thrive in the new normal. They will have to not only gear up towards their own CPG strategies, but also find ways – through data-driven intelligence and AI— to customize products, channels, and marketing that gives the customer exactly what they need, when they need it, and in the format they like.

Similarly, in the manufacturing sector, demands now keep fluctuating as lockdowns happen in certain areas or because consumers are stocking up on essential items. In such a scenario, the application for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and advanced data analytics can help organizations efficiently forecast requirements and human behavior.

Increased adoption of social listening AI and the use of 3^rd party data has proven its benefits for organizations across sectors. They are now able to keep track of consumers' evolving needs and preferences in order to maneuver through the new market landscape with agility.

In summary

AI-led technologies, delivered by Affine, are at the forefront of this change and will enable several sectors to operate effectively and safely in the new world. Organizations that adopt AI in this new normal are the ones that will gain an edge against competitors.

There is no looking back now for AI in the post-pandemic world. Accelerated adoption of AI is a must for firms to build resilience and intelligence into their systems and also reduce costs. Predictions are that AI products are likely to contribute more than $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Going forward, organizations will need to scale up their AI efforts in a bid to modernize operations and emerge successful and profitable in the new normal.

Organizations that partner with AI companies to navigate through the new normal are the ones that will thrive. Others who resist these changes, unfortunately, will gradually fade.

Are you ready to adopt AI to achieve new heights amidst the flux and churn of the post-pandemic era? If yes, talk to us. We're here to help.

About Affine

Affine is a leading professional service & solutions firm, enabling global enterprises to affect their transformation & innovation, leveraging the unique Trifecta of AI, Data-Engineering & Cloud. With a globally distributed team of 500 + analytics professionals, Affine covers end-to-end capabilities spanning modern data engineering to core AI and scalable cloud deployment across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Affine combines the hyper-convergence of AI, Data-Engineering & Cloud, with its deep industry knowledge, particularly in Manufacturing, Gaming, CPG, and Technology segments. Affine demonstrates thought leadership in all relevant knowledge vectors by investing heavily in research through its highly acknowledged Centres-of-Excellence and strong academic relationships with reputed institutions like UC Berkeley and premier IITs in India.

Author

Ankit Khandelwal

Ankit Khandelwal leads Operational Efforts and Managing P&L for Affine's APAC region. He is a seasoned AI & Analytics regional leader, with experience in consultative selling of Technology services & solutions.

With a decade worth of experience in AI, Data Engineering & Analytics areas, my aim is to enable clients to successfully embark on & sustain their journey in the AI & Date led Transformation, ensuring easy & effective adoption of data-driven decision making.

His expertise and key work areas include Client Experience, Enablement & Relationship Management, Account Management, Business Development & Operations, Cloud partnerships & alliances, and others.