Simple tools such as remote real-time temperature monitoring, in an essential environment, such as the one required for the storage and transport of pharmaceuticals, is just one example where an essential function that had largely been performed manually, is better fulfilled by modern technology that is not prone to interruptions from Mother Nature. No longer do we have to assign and send people to the site, but we are now able to manage a process as well as the outcome remotely.
This is just one example of how a process can be modernised and changed to leverage many advantages. And as with any process change, it brings about the need for new skills and new jobs to be created. Incidentally, these jobs can be fulfilled anytime and anywhere, thus obliterating the need for more expensive office buildings with hundreds of people crammed in a room.
We need to embrace new technology and the opportunity for change, dispose of old processes, and spend our energy on the analysis and implementation of improved operating models. COVID 19 has successfully disrupted the human ecosystem, we need to learn from it and embrace the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0.
Since 2008 Ikhaya automation systems have focused their developments around remote data collection and device management. More than 8000 temperature monitoring devices have been deployed across Sub-Saharan Africa, and our solutions have been approved by the World Health Organisation. The solutions have been embraced by large blue-chip clients who have successfully implemented new processes and procedures and thus continue to innovate on their own services provided to their customers.
