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SARS: A Perspective

As the war with Iraq began, a battle of a different kind was intensifying in China, Hong Kong and Singapore — Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The deadly virus is spreading and picking up pace, with 89 deaths and 2,416 confirmed cases reported as of 5 April 2003. This is no longer a Hong Kong, China, Singapore or even Asian emergency, this crisis is global.

The impact of SARS can be akin to a war zone. People are staying indoors and traveling only when they have to. Food and water are being hoarded. Media are disseminating information (both accurate and false). Infected people are being housed in special temporary facilities. Rumors are rampant. Citizens are panicky and jittery. Fear of the unknown is strong and some enterprises are jumping to profit from the crisis.

Many Asian countries are now making significant strides to contain the outbreak or prevent the virus from entering their country. Through unprecedented global cooperation between scientists, public health officials and the coordination of the World Health Organization (WHO), knowledge that would normally take months to gain has been achieved in a matter of just weeks.

Gartner has staff in most of the countries across Asia, and is leveraging this strength to report in detail on the SARS crisis. We are assembling a report that will look at the many ways SARS will affect industries, governments, enterprises and people worldwide — from a business and IT perspective. Look for the report, as well as its component parts, over the coming days.

What is SARS?

SARS is an acute respiratory infection that causes a deadly form of atypical pneumonia.

A clinical description of SARS is available at http://www.who.int/csr/sars/clinical/en/

What does SARS have to do with information and communications technologies?

There are many technology issues related to the SARS crisis, from a simple slowdown in business to risk and people management. Some other issues include:
  • How will the banking industry operate without the ability to see clients face to face across a counter?
  • How do governments communicate with citizens in a time of crisis?
  • What effect will people staying at home have on IT markets?
  • How does SARS expose the digital divide during times of a crisis for education?
  • Teleworking is an option for some during the SARS crisis, but how prepared are enterprises?

Markets and economies are affected, but technology is also being used to help solve this crisis. Some examples include:
  • E-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing and other forms of communication technologies are keeping people in touch with each other
  • Virtual private networks (VPNs) are providing secure connections
  • Internet service providers are providing connectivity
  • Governments are utilizing Short Message Service (SMS) to keep citizens informed
  • Quarantine centers have had wireless networks installed allowing quarantined citizens to stay connected


Research:

Lessons Learned From Hewlett-Packard's SARS Quarantine
Unlike crises that happen all at once, severe acute respiratory syndrome has evolved over time. It's hard to know how to react without overreacting. HP showed that it is possible to do it right.

Telcos Shouldn't Expect a Profit From the SARS Crisis
The severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak will not immediately help telecom carriers' bottom lines. Its effects will vary by market segment and geography, but SARS will boost some communications services in the long term.

SARS Exposes the Digital Divide Through Education
With severe acute respiratory syndrome shutting down educational systems across many Asia/Pacific nations, e-learning technology and good processes can allow students' educations to continue.

SARS: Business as Usual Helps Avoid Industry Shutdown
After discovering workers suspected of suffering from the disease, several high-tech companies such as Hewlett-Packard and Intel had to close part of their Hong Kong offices to avoid cross-transmission of the disease. Many wondered whether the disease would hurt the semiconductor markets in Hong Kong and China.

Six Best Practices for Banks During SARS Crisis
Asia/Pacific and North American banks have activated contingency plans to keep operations going during the SARS outbreak. The efforts reveal six best practices for any public health crisis or other emergency.

SARS Adds to Uncertainty and Slows Asia/Pacific IT Markets
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak will exacerbate the caution that Asia/Pacific economies and IT markets already exercise.

SARS Outbreak Highlights the Need for Teleworking
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has led Hong Kong authorities to impose controls that may keep employees from traveling to work. The crisis shows why enterprises should enable telecommuting as part of business continuity planning.





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