Tech helps business deal with COVID-19

Windsor’s tech community came together Friday to share all the ways they are making the most of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During an online event, leaders of seven local tech companies explained how they are dealing with, and capitalizing on the current pandemic.

From the ability to scan facial temperatures, checking your blood for COVID-19 immunity, to simply avoiding all sorts of online predators, the group of seven companies held the online session to let people know what they’re up to.

Mike Sirizzotti, the vice-president of Visa Solutions Inc., said his company is adapting its heat-reading cameras and software used to detect metal issues to detect above-average human temperatures.

“Thermo cameras are very sensitive, not necessarily accurate,” Sirizzotti said. “The tear ducts, sinus/nose area. That’s the area we’re really honing in on.”

Dr. Phillip Olla, of Audacia Bioscience, said his company was created to deal with the introduction of cannabis, but quickly changed gears after COVID-19.

The company pivoted and began to create diagnostic tests for COVID-19 that are currently under review in the U.S.

“They have also created an app that can be downloaded by a company worker to determine how far they are from co-workers,” Olla said. “When too close to someone, it records it. If somebody does test positive, it will tell you who that infected person was in contact with going back days.

“That’s one of the most important things in the reopening, being able to keep the workplace open without having to shut down once people get infected.”

Brian Hendel, president of Spice Digital, said his company has been helping other companies navigate the new reality.

“In the midst of all this economic strife that everyone is seeing though, we see major opportunity,” said Hendel. “So there are changes in the market we want to capitalize on and try to empower vendors more than they have ever been empowered by We’re actually busier than we ever have been.”

Mayor Drew Dilkens thanked the companies. “I know that no one is fully comfortable with everything that’s coming at us right now but we are definitely blessed with all these local tech firms looking at making a positive impact on those of us learning at home.”