Adaptation Nation: Covid tech that showed up, leveled up, or logged off
For a while, COVID dominated headlines, soundbites, and conversations. But if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that people and operations can adapt quickly. Now that those days are (thankfully) in the rearview, it’s worth taking stock of the tech that emerged from that time. What’s worth keeping, what needs a tweak, and what can be retired?
No Touch is Still Clutch – Some pandemic-era changes felt temporary (looking at you, one-way floor arrows), but a few proved they were built to last. Mobile ordering and contactless payment became MVPs—offering safety, speed, and fewer surfaces to wipe down. Smart lockers quietly earned their spot, cutting wait times and supporting hybrid schedules. What started as emergency solutions are now expected features. Just like glitter at a craft table: this tech is not going anywhere, and somehow, it’s everywhere.
Nothing Compares 2.0 U – Some changes from the pandemic still make sense—others just need an upgrade. Plexiglass barriers blocked coughs and sneezes as well as traffic flow and sightlines. Swapping them for UV-C air purification, which uses short wave ultraviolet light to kill germs,¹ is more effective and less conspicuous. Prepackaging the entire menu had its moment, too. It was helpful for hygiene, less so for flavor and waste. Limiting packaging to high-traffic grab-and-go items is a smarter, fresher compromise. Because no one wants a lunch wrapped in more layers than a Marvel multiverse.
No Country for Old Tech – Not all pandemic-era tech earned a permanent spot on the menu. Static QR codes replaced physical menus, but pinching, zooming, and scrolling through a PDF proved more frustrating than helpful. Physical menus have been reintroduced, and NFC (near-field communication) tags offer app-free access to digital menus.² No one is feeling nostalgic for health check stations either. While well-intentioned, they added cost, slowed entry, and were not especially effective. Like floor arrows and elbow bumps, they’ve quietly faded into post-pandemic history.
Got any Covid-era tech that is used less than a fax machine at a Gen Z job fair? Just click below to contact our team to help you swap your stale tech for smarter, sharper solutions.
1. Albers, K. (2023, September 1). How Do Ultraviolet (UV) Light Germicidal Air Purifiers Work?.ISO-Aire.
2. Funke, T. (2023, December 3). QR Codes vs. NFC Tags: A comprehensive comparison for optimal use. Bitly.
