EROAD staff innovate to work from home

A company that provides high-tech solutions to sectors of the automotive industry is providing some advice on how to effectively work from home.

EROAD is a leader in intelligent transport systems (ITS) and its work includes supplying systems to fleet-management companies, transport operators and the NZTA.

Many workers across the automotive sector are now having to operate from home as offices, showrooms and other businesses have been forced to shut for at least four weeks while the is on a Covid-19 alert level four lockdown.

A number of EROAD employees are already used to working from home to connect with colleagues and stakeholders operating in different time zones around the world.

The company has been designated an essential service provider, supplying technology services that organisations such as the New Zealand Defence Force, St John New Zealand, the NZTA, local councils, construction and courier companies rely on to manage their vehicle fleets and keep their staff safe. 

Its employees have transitioned to work-from-home locations so they can remain in their immediate “bubbles” and are working from garages, sleep-outs, home offices and the kitchen table.

Gareth Robins, director of analytics, has erected a tent on his deck, complete with couches, working desk and an ergonomic chair as his “office space”.

He came up with the idea to minimise background noises and disturbances from family while he talks online to people around the world. His two children had already nabbed the kitchen table for their schoolwork and his wife has a desk in the lounge. 

“This was an easier way to manage the four of us all working at home, but not getting on top of each other,” says Robins, pictured above. “Plus, it means the only background to my presentations is birdsong, which is pretty cool for those on the other side of the world to hear.”

EROAD limited the international travel of staff in early February because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Robins would usually travel the world presenting to universities, government research agencies and others keen to use EROAD’s technology to deliver safer, more productive roads, but he is now delivering those insights via webcam.

EROAD has also tweaked its logo, see the video below, to remind people that staying apart is the best way to stay safe.