“The global cloud kitchen market size was estimated at 0.65 Billion U.S. dollars in 2018; You can do the math as to what it would be today.” – Source: Statista
“The cloud healthcare market size is estimated to reach a whopping $55 Billion by 2025.” – Source: PRNewswire
There has been a cumbersome shift in technology consumption, storage, and sharing of data. From conventional techniques to digitisation, the entire world economy has witnessed immense growth. Be it healthcare, finance, food, or marketing, technology and automation have sure come a long way in optimising operational processes for these industries.
Especially for an industry like food and healthcare, which have already been the front supporters of the economy, cloud computing was indeed a revolution. The widespread adoption of cloud technology goes far beyond ordering food and storing patient data on cloud architecture. Let’s understand the nuances of cloud kitchen and cloud clinics as well as how these are transforming the industry.
Decoding the Cloud Kitchen & Cloud Clinics Model
How Does a Cloud Kitchen Work?
The kitchen was perhaps the first of the many industries conquered by cloud computing. It’s simply a “virtual kitchen” that works as a delivery-only kitchen. These small-scale restaurants/kitchen businesses thrive on online ordering through websites or applications that don’t have a physical dine-in facility.
With rising competition in technology, the food and service industry became volatile for quite some time. The growing demand for home deliveries, rising rent costs, and thinning margins led to the birth of delivery-only restaurants. The order in this type of kitchen is processed similar to a regular dine-in restaurant; the only difference is that the dishes are delivered to the customer’s home or office instead of a dining table at the restaurant.
How Does a Cloud Clinic Work?
Cloud computing in healthcare has two-fold benefits – one is that it has proven beneficial for cutting down operational costs. And second is it allows personalised care from the comfort of the patient’s home. It’s a godsend for people who are accustomed to instantaneous delivery of services as they can avail the same level of promptness from the healthcare sector as well.
Cloud clinics refer to “virtual visits” that take place between patients and doctors via digital communication. The video and audio connectivity boosted by automation and blockchain allow the virtual meeting to occur in real-time, from any remote location. Be it a medical specialist or a qualified second opinion expert, technology has been able to bridge the widening gap between the patients and doctor availability.
The best part about cloud clinics is that patients no longer have to wait in line at the doctor’s office; they can set an appointment and chat up with the doctor right at the scheduled time. Of course, if there’s a need for a physical examination, patients might have to visit the healthcare centre but it works well for patients with non-severe conditions.
Automation Takes a Foothold in Food and Healthcare
Healthcare Industry
It’s a question of complementing, not competing.
From AI-powered diagnosis to robotic surgery systems, automation has embedded its roots into the healthcare industry.
The role of avant-garde technologies like AI and blockchain is to complement, not replace doctors by delivering actionable intelligence to human experts. In fact, experts believe that emerging technologies have the power to amplify human ability, as machines can help mankind process, analyse, and evaluate the abundance of data generated. This can also allow doctors and healthcare providers to spend more time in creative thinking and maybe even come up with ground-breaking medical discoveries.
The Reaction of the Food Industry to Automation
Automation has been a welcome change in the food industry. It all started with the introduction of innovative online billing and expense management systems, and now, it has infiltrated every aspect of the food industry. Be it invoicing, managing inventory, delivery, or even payments; everything is automated. Especially in unprecedented times like that of the COVID-19 pandemic, cloud kitchens are fearlessly sharing the load to support the people and the economy. It’ll probably be years before bots replace the chefs and hospitality staff, but other relevant forms of automation are gaining a foothold in the industry.
Similarities Between Cloud Kitchen and Clinics
These two businesses seem poles apart. However, when it comes to technology, they couldn’t be more similar. Let’s see how.
- Low Set up Cost
To set up a restaurant or a private doctor’s practise doesn’t require selling a kidney anymore. Automation technologies like cloud computing, blockchain and machine learning can help set up an online food-delivery business or a healthcare practice at considerably affordable capital investment.
- Chef Prepares Dishes and Doctor Prepares Prescription
Sure, one is tasty, the other isn’t, but you get the point.
In a cloud kitchen, the chef, the su-chef, or other staff is responsible for preparing and dispatching the food. Similarly, in a cloud clinic, the doctor or healthcare expert examines the patient and based on the diagnosis prepares a prescription.
- Use of Cutting Edge Technology
Both cloud kitchens and clinics are bombarded with technology. Since the entire operation depends on the digital space, the use of technology is exponential. In cloud kitchens, customers can place their orders online via a website or an application. Similarly, in cloud clinics, patients can book an appointment with the doctor and consult via video or phone call.
- Human Touch Cannot be Replaced
No matter the industry, the human touch cannot be substituted. This is especially true in the food and healthcare industry, where you cannot eradicate the chef or the doctor completely. That being said, an increase in the automation tools allows such businesses to be more efficient but leave scope for human intervention.
Why Should Doctors Sign Up for Cloud Clinics?
“68% of patients believe that quality of virtual healthcare is the same as in-person doctor visits. Source:- Wheel.com”
Cloud clinics are revolutionizing the healthcare sector across the world, and India, being the second most populated country, needs a robust health care system.
Most doctors prefer to spend time in an exam room with a patient and not on the phone with an IT consultant to set up video calling or resolve a computer crash. However, by leveraging this emerging technology, doctors can reach and treat patients from every corner of the world. Whether used to treat, prescribe, engage, or educate patients, an approach towards cloud technology in medical practice is a positive step towards efficiency in medical practice.
The adoption of cloud clinics can make a healthy India, a better India.
So, leverage cloud clinics and sign up with www.carewellconnect.com to make your contribution to the digital healthcare system.
Technology & Innovation Powering The Pillars of a Crowded Digital Marketplace
Cloud kitchen and clinics are two very different areas of business, the intersection of which is technology.
Especially in times of a pandemic, technology is playing an irreplaceable role in human lives, be it bridging the gap between food and medicine or simply communicating the latest news from across the globe. Not only does technology integrate business operations but it also makes medical care accessible by eliminating the challenges of a regular brick and mortar operation. Keeping all the above factors in mind, the future of these businesses seems very promising.