Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesIndustrial IoT

Adapting to a Mobile-First Strategy

John Comacchio, Teknion CIO, discusses the company's mobile-first strategy and agility during COVID-19 with hosts Carlos Vargas, Howard Holton, and Paul Lewis. Teknion successfully transitioned to remote work and contributed to COVID-19 efforts by producing hospital gowns. The organization continues to adapt by addressing new office protocols and maintaining its focus on workplace innovation.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Industrial IoT teams put it to work with AI Visibility (GEO).

By Howard Holton · Carlos Vargas PodcastCioDataHoward Holton Podcast
Share
Adapting to a Mobile-First Strategy

Key takeaways

01

Teknion's mobile-first strategy enabled a smooth transition to remote work during the pandemic.

02

The company produced 400,000 hospital gowns as part of its COVID-19 response efforts.

03

Organizations are recognizing the long-term value of remote work and adapting their workplace strategies accordingly.

Get featured

Want MarketScale to feature Industrial IoT?

Book a 15-minute demo and we'll map your Industrial IoT expertise to the content buyers are searching for.

Book a demo

On this episode of The Suite Spot, Teknion Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer John Comacchio joined hosts Carlos VargasHoward Holton and Paul Lewis to talk about how his organization remained agile in the face of COVID-19 pressures and is moving forward during the period of reopening and into a new normal.

Teknion is a company that partners with clients to understand their unique culture and workspace, then develop office furniture and design solutions that not only fit that culture and help the organization be the best it can be, but keep sustainability, integrity and other core values in mind throughout design and implementation.

Like most companies during the current period, Teknion had to adapt quickly to the constraints of the pandemic. Although declared an essential service because of the company’s role in serving hospitals, banks and other essential businesses, the company immediately transferred thousands of people to a work-from-home setup.

The company also used its capabilities to make 400,000 hospital gowns to contribute to the fight against COVID-19.

Teknion’s “mobile-first” strategy, Comacchio said, helped the organization remain flexible during what was essentially an overnight upheaval of traditional working practices.

“We have a very ‘mobile-first’ strategy. We’re mobile-first within the campus, within the manufacturing – so, for the majority of people, it was very easy to go home, and our networks were ready to go,” he said.

Around the world, the pandemic has forced many organizations to see the value of remote work, which could be here to stay.

As an office furniture company, Comacchio said the largest change has been in transitioning to helping organizations address protocols for physical, in-person work, such as social distancing measures.

“What’s interesting is the office still has a home,” he said. “Proximity breeds collaboration breeds innovation, and you still have to get people together somehow.” Adapting to the Pandemic and Beyond with a Mobile-First Strategy

Make Sure to Subscribe to The Suite Spot to Stay Up to Date!

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Industrial IoT starts with a company putting its controls engineers, plant-floor specialists, and integration partners on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Get your team featuredSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

About the author

HH
Howard Holton

Follow Industrial IoT Insights

Get new expert content in your inbox.

Industrial IoT: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Industrial IoT buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Industrial IoT expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your controls engineers, plant-floor specialists, and integration partners into the articles, video, and social content Industrial IoT buyers are searching for. Create a free workspace and see it with your own people. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Industrial IoT Insights

IntelliFinishing Systems Adapt Better When Labor is Short

IntelliFinishing Systems Adapt Better When Labor is Short

Labor shortages are a significant issue in manufacturing, especially for skilled positions such as painting and finishing. Facilities with traditional finishing lines face operational disruptions when staff are absent. Automated finishing systems like IntelliFinishing can adapt better to varying labor availability.

  • 01Labor shortages continue to challenge the manufacturing sector, particularly for skilled roles.
  • 02Automated systems like IntelliFinishing are more adaptable to labor shortages compared to traditional finishing lines.
  • 03Absenteeism in traditional finishing operations can cause major disruptions.

Aug 6, 2026

Vention and FANUC America unify industrial and collaborative robots on a single AI platform

Vention and FANUC America unify industrial and collaborative robots on a single AI platform

Vention and FANUC America have collaborated to integrate FANUC's robot portfolio into Vention's AI-driven platform. This integration allows manufacturers to design, simulate, and deploy automated solutions more efficiently. The unified platform aims to streamline operations and enhance productivity in industrial and collaborative robotics.

  • 01Vention's AI-driven platform now includes FANUC's full robot portfolio.
  • 02Manufacturers can design, simulate, and deploy robots through a single unified platform.
  • 03The collaboration aims to streamline operations and enhance productivity in robotics.

Aug 5, 2026

AI safety agents hit zero misses in first industrial trials as automation sector accelerates

AI safety agents hit zero misses in first industrial trials as automation sector accelerates

The first industrial trials for AI safety agents in the automation sector have achieved a perfect recommendation capture rate. This milestone reflects the rapid acceleration and growing importance of automation in industrial settings. Leadership changes and new launches are further propelling the industry forward.

  • 01AI safety agents achieved a perfect recommendation capture rate in initial industrial trials.
  • 02The automation sector is rapidly accelerating with new launches and leadership changes.
  • 03AI safety deployments are crucial in enhancing operational efficiency and safety in industrial settings.

Aug 4, 2026

Explore More Industrial IoT Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Industrial IoT.

Browse Industrial IoT Hub

About the Experts

HH
Howard Holton
JC
John Comacchio

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Teknion

John Comacchio has played a crucial role in advancing Teknion’s digital strategy, focusing on flexibility and adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has helped the organization swiftly transition to remote work while maintaining essential operations.

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Industrial IoT and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512