Tech Checkup
Mitigating In-Person Risks
January 11, 2021
Organizations have changed how they do business. To adhere to social distancing measures and mitigate the risks of COVID-19, they have adopted new technologies and adapted their business models, services, and processes.
These changes have allowed key Canadian industries to stay connected with their clients and continue meeting their needs.
What IT changes have companies made to continue safely interacting with their stakeholders?
Signal49 Research surveyed 130 IT leaders and practitioners to understand how Canadian organizations are handling change. This is what we learned.
Note: Survey responses were collected between November 17 and December 3, 2020. This survey is part of a series to understand how Canadians are leveraging technology in the pandemic.
Online versus on-site
Many workers remain remote, but there is some movement back to the physical workplace
Q: Which best describes the current state of your organization’s workers who were on-site before the pandemic?
(percentage of respondents; n = 112)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Most organizations are helping to curb the spread with contact tracing
Q: Have you introduced contact tracing for employees, customers, and suppliers (or other service locations)?
(percentage of respondents; n = 106)
Note: Total may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: Signal49 Research.
However, few organizations require their stakeholders to visit their locations in person
Q: Do your stakeholders need to visit your locations in person for sales or service?
(percentage of respondents; n = 106)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Over three-quarters of organizations say they’ve taken steps to deliver online commerce alternatives
(percentage of respondents; n = 87)
Source: Signal49 Research.
For those that have, enhancing or introducing e-commerce or self-service platforms for customers was the most common step taken
Q: Which steps has your company/organization taken to deliver online commerce alternatives?
(percentage of respondents; n = 66)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Still, only half of organizations that increased online commerce alternatives have introduced new controls to guard against cyber threats
Q: Have you introduced new controls to guard against cyber threats related to these activities?
(percentage of respondents; n =66)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Organizations that increased online offerings were more likely to introduce new protections against cyber threats.
Preparing for future disruptions
Most organizations are reviewing their risk management practices
Q: Are you reviewing your risk management practices to prepare for future disruptions?
(percentage of respondents; n =86)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Many organizations want customers’ and employees’ opinions
Q: Is your company seeking feedback from customers and employees to prepare for subsequent waves of business disruption?
(percentage of respondents; n =86)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Fewer organizations have reviewed their service models to account for colder weather
Q: Have you reviewed your models for contactless pick-up or service appointments to account for inclement weather during the fall and winter?
(percentage of respondents; n =86)
Source: Signal49 Research.
Fewer still are concerned that another spike in online transactions could overwhelm them
Q: Are you concerned that your logistics, warehouse, and shipping operations may not be able to sustain another spike in online transactions?
(percentage of respondents; n =86)
Source: Signal49 Research.