It has been a very uncertain time for businesses that have had to quickly shift to a digital model, perhaps before they were quite ready.
While there have been some success stories, that fact is that most of the companies currently operating online are not well integrated. They may be struggling with communication and other processes that were simple in a physical workplace but become complicated when moved to remote methods.
But a remote (or at least remote-office hybrid) workforce is likely to become the norm in the future. With that in mind, here are some solutions for common problems that remote teams face. Implementing them could be the start to creating a long-term remote workforce.
Cloud Hosting and VPN
Many businesses were fortunate enough to have at least enough digital infrastructure in place to facilitate working from home at short notice. Integrated software and video conferencing, for instance, allowed companies to continue communicating and functioning without too much disruption.
As time goes on and businesses transition out of emergency mode, however, it has become clear that for remote work to be effective, strategic long-term solutions need to be put in place. The forced experiment has paid off in many ways, and now companies are thinking seriously about implementing long-term strategies.
One issue that remote working creates is giving teams remote access to data. When shared physical servers aren’t an option, employees need new ways to access and collaborate on documents and projects without having to continually email large files back and forth.
Cloud hosting offers an effective and secure solution for remote data access and collaboration. When data is stored on a secure cloud platform, it can be easily accessed by employees and updated in real time, allowing for simultaneous collaboration.
A VPN is another tool that can help solve the problem of remote access. A VPN can connect remote users to a company’s network, giving them access to local network resources.
Microsoft Teams
Communication is essential for innovation and productivity. So for your digital workplace to run just as smoothly as it did in your physical office, it’s vital to have the right software setup to enable communication. Employees need the same access to data and support and equal opportunities to interact by messaging or video conferencing, which allow for more instantaneous and casual conversation than email.
Microsoft Teams is a form of integrated software that facilitates a range of vital communication and collaborative interactions. Staff can message, video call, share files, collaborate on projects, and much more.
This is just one solution to remote communication problems, but it is one of the most popular due to the wide variety of benefits and capabilities bundled into one package. Whether you choose Microsoft Teams or another method of digital communication, in order to run your company efficiently in the digital world, you will need more channels of communication than simple email.
VoIP
In addition to the problem of internal communication, as companies go remote, they need to maintain consistent, reliable external communication with their clients.
A VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, system gives businesses the freedom to escape from conventional corded business lines and instead rely on an internet-based phone system. With a VoIP system, remote employees can connect to the company’s business phone system from anywhere, and from any device—and at a lower price tag.
The transition to a digital workplace is a fantastic opportunity for a company to reduce costs of expensive offices while increasing productivity, and switching to a VoIP system is one solution that can save companies money while also improving processes.
Managed Cybersecurity
Businesses aren’t the only ones benefiting from the new digital environment. Hackers and cybercriminals are taking advantage of the large volume of companies going digital without proper security protocols. Increased cyber attacks is just one of the many new concerns that businesses face when going remote.
Luckily, the issue is easy to solve. A dedicated Managed Service Provider (MSP) can offer you an all-in-one digital network that is both secure and easy to access for company staff. You need strong firewalls and antimalware, proactive system monitoring, and an educated staff trained in best practices to maintain secure systems. An MSP can help with each of these steps, taking the stress of your cybersecurity off of you so you can focus on your business instead.
Use these solutions to strengthen your remote team’s ability to perform and to prepare for the future of remote work!
