Since the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work has become increasingly popular among a variety of industries. According to an Upwork study, an estimated 22% of the American workforce will be remote by 2025. While this trend is certainly appealing to the employee, it has resulted in some problem solving and an overall shift in IT strategy and approach. If you’re looking to optimize your business’ distributed workforce, a managed services provider can support remote work in a variety of ways, from revamping IT infrastructure, to enhancing security and productivity.
Infrastructure
Software, hardware, network, data storage, and an operating system all make up IT infrastructure. It is important for these components to work equally well when all employees are in different locations as they would if everyone were in the same building. Cloud integration is the most vital aspect of a successful remote work environment. With the cloud, information can be accessed from anywhere at any time, making remote work possible. Additionally, with the implementation of cloud based virtual desktops, employees can access their office desktop from any location.
Security
Although a remote work environment does invite new cybersecurity risks, with the right measures in place, a decentralized environment can be kept just as secure as a traditional office. With a virtual private network (VPN), connections are encrypted and the data that is exchanged between remote devices and the company’s network is protected. Performing regular security audits, enforcing password protocols, and training employees on best cybersecurity practices are also essential elements of ensuring cybersecurity from any location.
Productivity
Employees may not be physically gathering around the same conference room table as much as they used to, but with remote, cloud-based collaboration tools, distance doesn’t have to hamper productivity. Software like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom allow for real-time messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing. Depending on the organization, implementing project management software, like Jira, might also be helpful to keep teams on track to meet goals and deadlines.
In any of these areas, a managed services provider is a great resource and partner that can ensure your business is set up to succeed, no matter where your employees are located.
Sources:
https://www.binaryblue.co.uk/blog/how-to-plan-a-successful-remote-working-infrastructure/
https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/remote-work-statistics/
https://www.sys-int.com/blog/how-to-effectively-implement-remote-work-infrastructure/