Many businesses today are adopting a hybrid work setup in which employees split their time between working from home and the office. This flexible working model offers a plethora of benefits, helping organizations improve talent recruitment, enhance employee experiences, and create a more productive work environment.
To ensure your hybrid workers are able to collaborate and remain productive while working from different locations, it’s imperative that your business configures its existing IT infrastructure to support a work-from-anywhere workforce. Here are some key technologies that can help you make hybrid working a success.
1. Hardware
One of the most effective ways to support your hybrid workforce is to provide them with the necessary equipment. Deciding which equipment they need depends on several factors, including your budget, business goals, and staff’s roles and responsibilities. Employees are going to need a computer to work from wherever they choose, so you may want to invest in both desktops (for on-site staff) and laptops (for remote workers). Security-wise, it’s best that they don’t use their personal devices so as not to leave business data vulnerable to attacks. You may also consider kitting out remote workers with peripherals and furniture that they would otherwise have in the office.
Providing employees with all these critical equipment not only gives you greater control over the tools and devices they use, but also makes it easier to ensure compatibility with your office equipment. In addition, this makes information security and tech support simpler.
2. Instant messaging
Not being in the same room makes it trickier for your employees to exchange information. However, instant messaging can enable them to connect and stay on task in real time, no matter where anyone is working from. Not only that, but utilizing instant messaging technology promotes employee engagement, fosters relationships, and enables smoother team collaboration.
3. Video conferencing solutions
Audiovisual tools have long been a crucial component of business communication, collaboration, and innovation, but these are even more vital in a hybrid workplace. By using video conferencing solutions, employees can engage and interact with one another as if they are in the same physical space, helping bridge the gap between on-site staff and remote workers.
4. VoIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology is a flexible, scalable, and highly efficient communication solution that enables your employees to connect with colleagues and clients — and it's also way less expensive than a traditional phone service. As long as your staff have a device that can connect to the internet, they can make phone calls, send instant messages, and even hold a teleconference with VoIP. Employees will be available to take calls wherever they may be, ensuring that your partners and customers are always attended to within a reasonable amount of time.
5. Project management tools
Project management tools are already extremely useful in the office, but they’re even more beneficial for distributed workforces. You can use them to assign tasks, set deadlines, and update progress, giving everyone complete visibility over their work. Project management tools are especially useful if your business often deals with time-sensitive, multistep projects that involve several team members.
6. Time management software
Your hybrid teams can stay on top of work processes and improve productivity with effective time management. They can use time management software to set goals, schedule activities, prioritize tasks, track the progress and duration of activities and projects, and ensure better coordination with other team members. Meanwhile, managers can use the insights gleaned by these tools to make informed business decisions regarding deliverables and resource management.
7. Cybersecurity solutions
Robust cybersecurity solutions are key to defending against cyberattacks and other risks inherent to both remote work and traditional office environments. These include three fundamental security tools: multifactor authentication (MFA), virtual private networks (VPNs), and firewalls.
Enabling MFA provides an additional layer of security, as it requires employees to provide at least two credentials to verify their identity before they are given access to your network. Meanwhile, a VPN establishes a secure connection to your network and makes sure that your employees’ online activities are hidden. Finally, a firewall is a tool that prevents unauthorized access to and from your network. All of these are especially effective in preventing cybercriminals from gaining access to your business network and intercepting sensitive data shared via the internet.
Kortek Solutions can equip your Las Vegas business with advanced yet affordable technologies so your hybrid workplace operates optimally. Get in touch with our experts today to discover how our comprehensive IT solutions can help move your business forward.