Even in ordinary times, overseeing a remote workforce can be a challenge for multiple reasons – ensuring availability of all necessary tools, managing remote endpoints and having a fail-safe contingency plan.
However, the current global health crisis has made things that much more complicated. In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 has drastically changed life as we know it, forcing us to change the way we live and work. Your business is no exception to this change as you transition to survive with a primarily (or fully) remote workforce. However, the right technology, when used correctly, can ensure the transition is smooth and your business continues to operate efficiently without interruption. To help you do that, here is a list of tips to follow.
Step 1: INSTALL SECURE VPN CONNECTIONS
It goes without saying that while working remotely, your employees will access your business applications from different home networks. To avoid an unsavory security incident, as well as Zoom bombings, you need to install a business VPN that will secure the connections with encryption. Additionally, having your employees test it in advance from their respective locations would avoid a ton of hassle.
Step 2: PREPARE TO USE VIDEO CONFERENCING INTENSIVELY
Although nothing can replace in-person meetings, video conferencing is certainly the best alternative, especially now. It not only helps your employees stay connected with each other, but also helps you conduct business with your clients. This is a good time to sign up for a reliable conferencing platform and to ensure your team has all the necessary gadgets (headsets/cams) or any other tools they would need.
Step 3: ENSURE CLOUD APPLICATION CONNECTIONS ARE IN PLACE
Working offsite shouldn’t be a challenge for your business if you already use cloud applications. However, if you do not, it is high time you consider it. First and foremost, modify the necessary settings, if needed, to ensure your cloud applications are ready for remote logins. Subsequently, ensure your team has the right devices to handle the memory and performance needs of all your business’ cloud applications.
Step 4: DEVISE A REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Employees working in silos isn’t something you want to be dealing with in these testing times. It’s time to huddle up and chalk out a thorough remote communications plan. Make use of tools, such as Microsoft Teams or Slack for team communications, “away” messages, project-specific chat channels and even team collaboration tools to ensure every employee is on the same page.
Step 5: EXPLORE REMOTE IT SUPPORT OPTION
With your IT infrastructure spread out like never before, remote IT support could save you from the hassle of managing endpoints while also ensuring no healthcare and government guidelines are flouted. Using an encrypted remote connection and appropriate authentication, a technician can access a device and resolve issues while you get to keep a close eye on it. While the technician is at it, he or she can also discuss the problem and the solution, eliminating any communication gaps. The list of issues that can be addressed by remote IT support include software-related issues and queries, software updates, temporary files cleanup, startup optimization, virus scan and cleanup, and slow computers. As you steer your business through this hopefully temporary storm, you can be sure that we will support you with all the necessary resources and enablement we can muster. Here’s to your business pushing through this phase with minimal worries or damage!