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116 PCB007 MAGAZINE I APRIL 2020 Andy Shaughnessy speaks with Manny Mar- cano, president of EMA EDA Automation, who shares an update on the company's current level of business operations under COVID-19 restrictions. Marcano explains that EMA is classified as an essential business due to its work with the defense segment and that employees are now working from home. He also discusses the company's free work-from-home license offer and why he is available to help any designers or design engineers who have questions dur- ing these changing times. Andy Shaughnessy: This is Andy Shaughnessy for I-Connect007. I'm speaking with Manny Marcano, the president of EMA Design Auto- mation. Welcome, Manny. Manny Marcano: Good afternoon from bright and sunny Rochester, New York. Shaughnessy: That ties in with what we're talking about here. You're based in New York, which has some of the more restrictive CO- VID-19 regulations in the country. Why don't you start off by telling us a little bit about how have the COVID-19 restrictions affected your company and your business model? EMA President Manny Marcano: Software Tools Are Essential Interview by Andy Shaughnessy I-CONNECT007 Marcano: What we decided to do was, first of all, send everybody home. We are considered an essential business by the government be- cause of who we support in the milaero com- munity. Most of my folks are doing fine at home, and they're actually more productive than here. I may close down some of the office space. Shaughnessy: Right! Marcano: I'm just kidding. It's an interesting situation because obviously, we want to pro- tect our staff. But with the commitment and the productivity that I've seen just in 10 days now, the team is working harder than in the of- fice, and I have absolute faith that they'll con- tinue the productivity. Shaughnessy: That seems to be the thing. We talked to a lot of people who are not used to working from home, but they're finding out that they're getting at least as much done at home. What message would you like to send to your customers? Marcano: As far as the message to my custom- ers, it's business as usual to the best of our ability. I'm really pleased to say that because Manny Marcano