SSMIC employee brings Acorn Information Solutions out west by working remotely

October 21, 2020

Acorn Information Solutions data Analyst makes her way to British Columbia

October 21, 2020 -SSMIC- It is nothing out of the ordinary to hear people say that they are working from home these days. 

Working from home is one aspect of the “new normal” and although some may question the opportunity to make connections and expand their networks while working from home, one Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) employee is not only stretching the boundaries of remote working, but also the boundaries of our products and services. 

Zoe Alavi, a Data Analyst with the Acorn Information Solutions division of SSMIC, recently made a 10-day drive home to British Columbia and has been successfully working a ‘mere’ 3500km away from the office. 

 “Working for Acorn Information Solutions is what brought me to Sault Ste. Marie in the first place,” said the B.C. native. “It was exactly what I was looking for given my education and I’m glad I am able to continue doing the work.” 

Graduating with a degree in Health Sciences from Simon Fraser University (SFU) and receiving an advanced diploma in GIS from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Alavi was excited to dive into the workplace but was disappointed at what was available in her area and took the risk to move across Canada to a smaller Ontario community.  

“This position with Acorn allows me to use my education to improve services that focus on the health and well-being of Ontario residents,” said Alavi. 

Now situated in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Alavi is set up with all the equipment she needs to do her job. She explained that with the onset of COVID-19 her situation became a “blessing in disguise.”

“I knew that I wanted to return home (to B.C.) but wasn’t sure if I would be able to work for the organization being that far away. Living in the Sault when COVID hit allowed our team to work out all of the kinks, and with the wonderful support from our IT team, I knew that I could work from anywhere.” 

Right now, Alavi is working on an analysis report for the Manitoulin-Sudbury District that assesses social services uptake in the community, where users are coming from, distance traveled to access services, and frequency of services accessed, all to better optimize where their services are located. Additionally, as the main Data Analysis Coordinator for the Algoma District Services Administration Board, Alavi is currently working on a Children’s Report for Algoma which includes an overview of the community using census data as well as indicators related to, health, the physical environment, education, child care, and family structure.

While Acorn Information Solutions works closely with several northern communities, its services reach many communities in southern Ontario as well. 

“Many of my colleagues are doing work for communities in southern Ontario from digitizing and data clean ups, to offering services like KEyON in several Districts,” said Alavi.

KEyON, one of Acorn’s licensed products, is a software that makes signing in and out of Ontario’s EarlyON Centres easier for parents, and makes planning easier for EarlyON Centres. The KEyON software collects EarlyON attendance data and the aggregate data reports supply provincially required data elements. The information collected is essential to Data Analysis Coordinators across the province for planning and evaluation purposes.

One of Zoe’s goals is to try and introduce the product to British Columbia. She explains that B.C.’s equivalent of EarlyON Centres is StrongStart B.C., and the Acorn team believes they would benefit from having KEyON integrated into their sign-in, sign-out, and data analysis procedures. 

“Our participating Centres in Ontario have really found that KEyON has helped them provide the best services to their clients and efficiently gathers the data required by the province,” she said. “Having the opportunity to bring a product or service into another province is exciting and I look forward to the task.” 

The rest of the staff at SSMIC wish Zoe well in her new work environment and support her in her goal of bringing some of the solutions developed by Acorn to British Columbia. 

Get more information about Acorn Information Solutions. 
Check out KEyON 

Contact: 
Lori McDonald
lmcdonald@ssmic.com 
705-942-7927 ext. 3138

SHARE THIS

Northern Ontario Value-Added Agriculture (NOVA) Program Launches

October 11, 2024
The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) has launched the Northern Ontario Value-Added Agriculture (NOVA) Program to empower agri-food entrepreneurs across Northern Ontario to develop new food products. By offering workshops, training sessions, networking events, and a mentorship program, NOVA aims to equip Northern entrepreneurs with the essential skills and knowledge needed for long-term business growth and sustainability. Supported by $42,080 in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, NOVA will address the critical need for professional development in the agri-food sector. It focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, improving safety and risk management practices, and providing strategies to expand market presence at home and abroad. “The agri-food promise and potential of Northern Ontario is immense, and our government will continue to work with Northern partners like the SSMIC to help seize it,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “NOVA will help unlock more of the huge untapped entrepreneurial energy and ambition of Northern agri-food entrepreneurs to build strong local businesses, create good-paying jobs and strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy.” Program goals include strengthened business capabilities, job creation, and increased economic activity, leading to a more vibrant and sustainable agri-food sector in Northern Ontario. By fostering public engagement with agriculture and local food, NOVA will also contribute to rural development and enhanced community well-being. "Through the NOVA Program, we are excited to provide agri-food entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to thrive," said Peter Bruijns, Executive Director of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre. "This initiative not only supports individual businesses but also strengthens our entire region's agricultural ecosystem." For more information visit: https://rainalgoma.ca/programs/the-northern-ontario-value-added-agriculture-nova-training-program/ SSMIC would also like to thank FedNor the Government of Canada, and the Sault Ste Marie Community Development Corporation for their support in this exciting program. 

Investing in Progress #IWD2024

March 8, 2024
Happy International Women's Day! 💜

In the news: Harvest Algoma relaunches with a new look

January 18, 2024
The Sault Ste. Marie food security agency Harvest Algoma is starting the new year with an image makeover – but agency officials say their mission has not changed.
More Posts
Share by: