The holidays and the new year are perfect times to reflect on how you can make your team’s jobs easier and more efficient. One way you can do so is by opening up the option for remote or hybrid work, provided their roles can be removed from the office, either part time or full time. Today, we want to highlight some of the tools that a remote workforce needs to be successful—as well as how you can get them.
Cloud-Based Services
The future of business is online, and companies that understand this are leveraging the cloud to great impact.
The standard way to acquire software for your business is by purchasing software licenses per user. More companies are moving toward cloud-based apps, which can be accessed through the Internet browser. Going the cloud route means you’re purchasing access to the latest versions of the apps rather than buying them outright, so you’re saving money while making them much more accessible.
Chances are that you can find a cloud-based version of most apps your organization uses that allow for remote access, making it easier and more affordable for your remote team to stay productive.
Remote Secure Access
Your team needs access to data, and more so than that, it needs secure access to data.
The issue with remote and hybrid work is that they increase the surface area of your network, meaning it’s more accessible and harder to stay in control of as your remote/hybrid workforce expands. It’s for this reason that you need policies in place regarding who can access what data. Access control and an encrypted virtual private network (VPN) solution are a must to ensure that no hackers have unauthorized access to your data.
Remember, remote and hybrid work open up more opportunities for hackers, so taking security seriously is a must.
Communication and Collaboration Tools
Of course, communication is another non-negotiable for your remote or hybrid workforce, as they will not be in the office as often as your in-house team.
Most cloud-based productivity suites have collaboration and communication tools built right into them, including voice and video chat, instant messaging, and task management. You should also have a project management solution of some sort to keep everyone collaborating on the same page. It’s a nice bonus if you can implement tools that integrate well with your other critical apps and tech infrastructure.
Some examples of tools you might consider include email and messaging, Voice over IP, and project management software.
Need a Hand with Transitioning to Remote or Hybrid?
We know considering all of your options for technology is challenging, and remote technology is no different.
That’s why we make it as easy as possible for you so you can focus on running your business. Instead of worrying about which vendors to go through or which solutions to buy, you can divert your attention to what you’ll have your team do with their newfound productivity. While remote and hybrid work isn’t a great solution for everyone, it can be when you implement it well.
To ensure this happens, give Coleman Technologies a call at (604) 513-9428.
