Without a doubt, the global COVID-19 pandemic has been the most significant Black Swan event of our time. Besides being a major healthcare crisis, it has also disrupted our lives and our work, not to mention our business supply chains.
As a result of this disruption, corporate and business leaders have been forced to take a long hard look at their continuity plans. Many aspects of the global manufacturing and supply chain process are also now being relooked in the post-pandemic new normal.
While the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in many parts of the world offers a glimpse of hope that better days are ahead of us, it’s unrealistic to expect things to return to normal so soon. And just like a rubber band stretched beyond its limits often never fully returns to its original shape or form, it’s unlikely everything will be ‘business as usual’ too.
How the Global Supply Chain Will Adapt Post-Pandemic
What does this mean for the global supply chain and industrial sectors? Over the last year, companies have begun rethinking the importance of supply chain agility and adaptability, and how they can rework their systems and processes in the post-pandemic new normal.
Prior to COVID-19, industrial inspections were already a necessity. After all, every manufacturing and production project carries some form of risk - whether in scope, capital expenditure, safety, operation and performance. If left unchecked, these risks could escalate and negatively impact brand, profitability and customer satisfaction.
For example, a contractor or partner could fail to meet production requirements for certain parts or components, thereby affecting your products and services and causing it to fall foul of national or international regulations. Thus, it is crucial to identify all potential risks to prevent loss of time and investment. Having a reliable, third-party, qualified expert inspection partner to work alongside you can help.
But looking to the present, one challenging area which needs to be addressed is how to conduct industrial inspections in a world where social distancing is the norm and regional and international travel is very much the exception.
Remote Inspection and Virtual Assessment
In the wake of COVID-19, organisations that have been heavily reliant on onsite and face-to-face engagements - including third-party conformity assessment bodies in the global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) markets - have been innovating new ways to conduct comprehensive industrial inspections safely and remotely.
During this period, the priority has been to reduce in-person inspection to safeguard the health and safety of inspectors. Thankfully, there are existing technologies for remote inspection and virtual assessment which allow inspectors, clients, and other participants to inspect locations off-site.
TÜV Rheinland Can Help You
In the wake of the post-pandemic new normal, TÜV Rheinland is stepping up to help businesses with more options for their industrial inspections and assessment. Today, TÜV Rheinland offices around the world are equipped to offer virtual assessment and inspection services for all parts of your supply chain operations. We offer you a flexible and effective solution to ensure the smooth functioning of your supply chain and support you in time-critical situations. Leave us your contact details and we will connect with you.
We can help you stay on top of your vendors and supply chain, preempting situations in which errant supplies could jeopardize the successful completion and profitability of your project. There’s no need for time-consuming preparations, and virtual inspections of your site can be accomplished using standard mobile IT equipment such as laptops, tablets or even smartphones.
We can also check documents immediately and evaluate laboratory tests with the help of our "TÜV Rheinland Virtual Expert" application. This means that we can support you with virtual inspection services at any time, regardless of your location.
Consistent Service Quality For Remote Inspections
For more than 140 years, TÜV Rheinland has been a leading provider of inspection and assessment services, with deep industrial and technical expertise.
Adapting to the present, we have made our expertise available virtually to better service organisations in these extraordinary times. In the case of remote inspections, our experts also carry out all tests and monitoring in accordance with the applicable guidelines and with the same care and quality.
Speak to Us Today
Is your Industries ready for remote testing, inspection and certification services?
Benefit from the advantages of our virtual inspections and master the complexity of industrial supply chains.
Get in touch with us today.
References:
- The ‘black swan’ COVID catastrophe shows us just how fragile our world. Larry Elliott, The Guardian
- Recalibrating global supply chains and purchasing during and after COVID-19. Ricardo PLC
- Industrial inspection services for international projects. TÜV Rheinland