#StartupsVsCovid19: Hope For Ecommerce; Ola Pro, JioMeet Launched On Lockdown Day 37

With the focus on smoothening out lockdown services for the public, the government has been strengthening several operations while addressing the existing challenges as well. In a similar vein to support the work from home experience of many Indian professionals, the IT ministry has taken cognizance of industry concerns around allowing IT and telecom products as essentials during the lockdown.

IT and telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad held a meeting on Wednesday with electronics manufacturers including major tech and manufacturing industry associations. The minister reportedly informed the bodies that the “requests regarding broadening the definition of essential goods to ICT products, retail /online sale of ICT essential goods, authorised sales and services of ICT essential goods have already been taken up with the ministry of home affairs.”

In terms of ecommerce, the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has requested the government to open up ecommerce services to address the dual challenge of economic revival and address public health issues.

IAMAI said its roadmap for opening up ecommerce is based on the current containment model of zoning. For green zone, IAMAI has suggested that all ecommerce entities abiding by the standard SOP may be permitted to operate at par with other establishments following similar SOPs to facilitate sales of all possible items, without any requirement for passes or permissions.

JioMeet Comes To Take On Zoom

Reliance Jio said that it will launch a video conferencing solution JioMeet. The app is already available on Google Play Store, iOS etc and competes with the likes of Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams etc. The company said that JioMeet is an easy solution for hosting meetings for all groups sizes. The users can create groups for larger team calls, and JioMeet claims to offer B2B services and features like modifying conference groups, taking control as host, texting on the group etc.

Further, video analytics company Agrex.ai has developed AI-enabled thermal cameras to aid early detection of Covid-19 through temperature checks and combat the spread of the virus. Agrex.ai said its thermal sensor-based detection system is capable of scanning a large group of people from a distance up to 20 metres. The camera comes with a ready to use plug and play system which can be set up within 10 minutes. It claims to scan 80-100 people in a minute.

Business events discovery platform 10Times has launched “FLOOR”, an innovative virtual event solution, which focuses on events. Event planners can effortlessly add and manage speakers, sponsors, or exhibitor profiles through the program’s onboarding features. The ticketing, space booking and sponsor signup open the essential monetization channels to keep the show going.

Government Supports Technology Upgrades

The Government of Rajasthan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with social ecommerce player DealShare to launch a B2B platform – ‘E-Baazarkirana.dealShare.in’. It will function as an open marketplace that connects wholesalers of essential commodities with retailers. The platform will enable registered suppliers to sell their products to registered kirana stores from across 33 districts in the state.

Further, the Delhi Police has launched drones with real-time announcement system to instruct people to maintain a safe distance and night vigil facilities in the south district. Three drones have been deployed in South Delhi district of the national capital.

“The drones have several features, including a high-resolution camera with recording. It has real-time public announcement system to instruct people to maintain a safe distance, stay indoors and wear a mask,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Atul Kumar Thakur said. “It has night vision camera and a high-intensity light source to detect any gathering even during night hours along with a range up to 8 kilometres,” he said.

Sanitisation, Relief In Focus

Marico Limited announced its foray into the vegetable and fruit hygiene category with the launch of Veggie Clean food sanitiser, made with a unique mix of 100% safe ingredients. The company said it expanding in the health and hygiene segment and offers a unique mix of ingredients that remove germs, bacteria, chemicals, waxes and soil present on the surface of fruits and vegetables without leaving any residue, aftertaste or smell.

Hyperlocal fintech startup PayNearby launched JobsNearby, an assisted job registry that will help migrant workers who have been affected by the pandemic lockdown to seek gainful employment. It plans to leverage its network of more than 9 lakh retail touchpoints, spread across 17,000 plus postal codes in the country to create a platform where out-of-job workers can register themselves and find a suitable placement. On the supply side, the company has identified and tied up with multiple partners, including banks, NGOs, global foundations and other aggregators, where registered workers can then be placed.

Cab hailing aggregator Ola has launched Ola Pro to help people who need a super-sanitised rideshare option for travel during the Covid- 19. The Ola Pro trial, which began in Australia, introduces a fleet of specially fitted out cars that provide best in class hygiene and safety standards. It is available for people seeking extra assurance, such as those working with at-risk community members.

Further, Dineout has initiated a fundraiser on ImpactGuru.com to create an impact in the lives of wage workers who are struggling to get their daily meals during this Covid-19 lockdown. The funds will be routed to the non-profit World Help Group (WHG).