At a time when COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our lives, technology has been the common thread that has helped us respond and recover from the effects of the pandemic. With the use of essential technologies, we were able to create a safe and secure working environment for our people and our clients, giving them the confidence to physically return to the office.
Safety & privacy: mitigate the risk of infection
Asking our employees to return to the office meant increased contact and risk of spreading the virus. To mitigate that risk, we installed the Zone Check app ‒ an anonymous contact tracing app ‒ on 6,000 employee phones and were able to interrupt chains of infection early on, while respecting our employees’ privacy.
Along with the app, we built a Management Cockpit which allowed us to monitor the app’s usage, specify customised geo-fences for sending location-based messages, and gain a real-time overview of active infections which allowed us to respond quickly and stop the spread of the virus.
New ways of collaborating
Remote meetings have changed the dynamics of how we interact with others, creating a monotonous pattern of Zoom calls. To make this new way of working more engaging for our people and our clients, we used extended reality to bring our meetings to life.
We now use Virbela and Spatial for collaboration ‒ tools which allow users to feel present in a 3D space by using virtual avatars and customised workspaces. Sessions are more interactive and allow users to whiteboard, sticky note and interact with 3D objects in PwC-themed virtual spaces.
Maintaining social distance
It’s never been more important to have advanced analytics capabilities and services in place to mitigate risk. We developed AI-powered social distancing and mask detection software which allowed us to quickly detect when someone in our offices was not following the new social distancing norms and advise them accordingly.
Safer touchpoints
To help decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19, we combined 3D printing technology with antiviral Copper 3D material, which deactivates 99.99% of fungi, bacteria, viruses, and a wide range of other microorganisms. We applied this antimicrobial filament to dozens of surfaces which are often touched by multiple people throughout the day, such as door handles.
Safe seats
We automated the process of booking a safe seat in our offices across the region. The system eased the burden of our office management staff and ensured we were aligned with government regulations. Throughout the pandemic, 184,000 safe seats have been booked using the system.
Results
The use of essential technologies has supported the PwC professional to adapt to the new normal, showcasing the art of the possible.
There’s no doubt the pandemic has fundamentally changed not only how we work but when and where we work. Our tech-powered solutions have allowed us to make more informed decisions, manage the risks surrounding our return to the office strategy and ultimately keep our people safe and secure.
EmTech overview
What's The New Equation?
Contact us
