During the coronavirus pandemic, tech has provided some of the key links to keep things moving forward in Orange County.
Here is a sample of tech’s use, plucked from a variety of business sectors:
CLEAN ENERGY
Clean-technology promoter Sustain SoCal in Irvine launched “virtual networking activities” to connect key stakeholders.
EDUCATION
The Orange Unified School District in a “virtual setting” voted on March 24 to extend school closures. Online learning has replaced classroom teaching everywhere in OC schools and universities, sometimes with technical difficulties and looming data caps.
PHILANTHROPY
Cloud-based telecoms oftware company Ytel Inc. in Lake Forest set up a “text to donate” system after Project Hope Alliance of Costa Mesa had to cancel its fundraising event.
MARKETING
PR specialist Rebecca Hall’s firm Idea Hall in Costa Mesa is creating digital experiences and communications to help businesses keep running.
THE CLOUD
IronOrbit of Anaheim, which provides IT services for companies, has mobilized employees to help other businesses set up remote work.
CONSULTING
Webinars abound, including on “Remote Work: How to Successfully & Sustainably Decentralize Your Workforce” run by consulting firm Telecomprehensive Solutions of Anaheim.
GAMING
Blizzard Entertainment Inc. gamers, don’t worry. The Overwatch Contenders tournaments said they will “cast” their games remotely, according to the Daily Esports website.
GOVERNMENT
Many people are keeping track of information by following the county’s Emergency Operations Center text alerts. To sign up, text OCCOVID19 to 888777.
INCUBATORS
In Costa Mesa, the OC4 Venture Studio, which promotes investing, coaching and community for local tech entrepreneurs, is moving its events to virtual and publishing more online content.
And for those who questioned whether the pandemic and its fallout marks a turning point, consider this from OC4 President and co-founder Carey Ransom: “Things will not return to the way they were—there will be a new ‘normal’ and we need to embrace and succeed in it.”
More Examples, Please
This is just a random sample among thousands. If you have some good and even fun examples of how tech is helping OC adapt to the coronavirus threat, please send them to me at costelloe@ocbj.com.
