At this point, it’s almost become an unforgivable cliché to refer to the COVID-19 pandemic as ‘unprecedented times’.

However, for some, such as Claudius Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Turaco Web International Group Inc., these unprecedented times have also created some unprecedented opportunities.

“We’ve created a new product,” Claudius explains. “A new piece of software.”

Last August, a colleague contacted Claudius, explaining that one of his clients was having a particular problem.

“The client is a home-builder,” Claudius recalls. “They have their own construction site. But, they didn’t want their workers going in and out and having to keep filling out the same health and safety forms to keep track of everyone. So, they wanted an electronic solution.”

Claudius created a scanning solution that allowed the builders to scan a QR code at the point of entry. After signing in, the information could be electronically filled out and then logged into a database.

“I used a low-code database to create the app” Claudius states. “I created a simple webpage that launches a URL once you scan your QR code. Then, you can fill out the form on your phone and the data is submitted back into the database.”

Claudius’s solution was so well-received that more companies signed on to use it—which presented him with an interesting predicament.

“Eventually, COVID will pass,” Claudius explains. “But, we don’t want to leave this opportunity behind once the virus is dealt with. So, I started thinking about how I could tweak this application for long-term use.”

After some research, Claudius arrived at a solution.

“At a construction site, health and safety is relevant,” Claudius states. “So, I decided to build a health and safety application with pandemic tracking. And eventually, we will have to deal with another pandemic. So, we think this application will be able to create a template to track that new one.”

Claudius describes Pandacea as a service that allows for “health and safety with pandemic tracing management.”

“It’s an ongoing application,” Claudius explains. “It won’t have a shelf life. It follows all government guidelines.”

Adam Castle, Director of Venture Services for WEtech Alliance, said he recognizes that clients throughout the WEtech portfolio are taking the same approach to building products in this new and uncertain world. “The ability to update software, and sell it as a service has never made more dollars and sense,” says Castle. “With the rapidly changing landscape, companies have to think about how they want their products to evolve with the times, because that’s what customers expect.”

In addition to his new product, Claudius is also the Windsor Chapter Leader of the Back Boys Code, a charitable organization dedicated to inspiring a generation of young Black men to take control of their future and become tomorrow’s digital creators and technological innovators. They achieve this by helping them develop digital literacy and computer competence—the foundational building blocks of an educational path towards a career in the technology field.

“Two Saturdays a month, we run sessions where we teach young black boys about different aspects of computer programming,” Claudius states. “We have high numbers of them turning out. They do the work we prepare for them. We set goals for them. For example, last December, I suggested to the team that they do a demonstration about what they’ve learned. So, we had judges come in and we gave out first and second place prizes for the winners. They were so excited!”

The Windsor chapter of Black Boys Code has been so successful that they’ve become the standard bearers for the whole organization.

“They’re forming a new chapter in London,” Claudius explains. “So, I was asked to shadow them as they got off the ground. We’re helping them come together and grow, because we did it so well. I’ve been having private meetings with other Chapter Leaders to share our methods with them.”

More information about Pandacea can be found at www.pandacea.ca.