In a few short weeks back in March the working world changed. Covid 19 turned what was a growing trend into an everyday reality. Workers all over the country set up home offices, requested laptops, network access and headsets to do their everyday jobs from the kitchen table.
Some companies already had remote working policies in place. For others though it was an avalanche.
In the rush to get set up companies used what applications were readily at their disposal e.g. third party file sharing and free video conferencing with no real long term thinking.
Now things have changed. Remote working is set to remain for some time to come and indeed could well become the preferred option for many workers. 83% have indicated they want to keep working from home after the Covid 19 crisis has ended. This week Google announced have pulled out of talks to lease a 7-storey office in Dublin and others will follow suit.
Businesses need to look at their remote working environment with a longer-term strategy in mind.
The Challenge
The greatest challenge facing businesses is a technical one – giving each user the tools for safe and efficient remote working. Delivering laptops to employees is just one part of the problem. Ensuring that they have access to basic applications like email and file sync and sharing through remote desktop access and virtual infrastructures is key. Security is a major concern as cyber criminals take advantage of new inadequately protected devices accessing business networks from many different locations.
IT as an Enabler
IT has a crucial role to play in enabling businesses to operate in this new normal and the early adopters will reap the rewards. Those that move fast to Evolve and Adapt their business will not only ensure continuity but gain a competitive advantage.
- The cloud is the backbone of remote working. Cloud based applications and services allow employees to access the information they need regardless of their location.
- Modern communication tools enable remote collaboration in realtime speeding up decision making.
- Productivity is enhanced through digitally transforming processes via Microsoft’s Power Platform
- Security is imperative as cyber criminals look to exploit vulnerabilities that the new normal presents.
It is time now to Evolve and Adapt your business.
We adopt a holistic approach to our customers focusing on the current issues but with a forward-looking perspective. Our objective is to solve immediate problems but make sure that your investment is protected into the future. And we always have security at the centre of what we do.
We can help you modernise and evolve into a business that will operate competitively in the here and now plus scale up or down cost effectively in the current fluctuating and uncertain marketplace. Check out our IT Services and IT Support Services.
