Now’s the time to learn from the successes and challenges that were presented by working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maintaining up time and productivity during this shift became essential, as organizations across the globe took on the task of working from home securely.
The effects have been widespread and almost every industry has been impacted in some way. So much so, that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics had to adjust how they normally track workplace employment, hours, productivity, and costs during the first two quarters of 2020.
Are You Ready for a Hybrid Remote Work Environment?
Prior to the pandemic, up to 99% of employees said they would want to work from home at least part of the time. But, now that they have been working remotely for an extended period, some have struggled to collaborate and stay productive with their teams.
A Stanford study of 1,000 employees found that before the pandemic, working from home helped them be 13% more productive. However, Stanford recently followed up with these same employees and found that 50% of them would go back and return to the office if they could, noting a need for face-to-face meetings.
As offices begin to reopen under strict operating regulations, we realize that the office environment will continue to need a remote work model as part of their strategy. This indicates that to stay productive in the “new normal” of the business landscape, organizations will need to develop an IT infrastructure that supports a hybrid model, allowing some of their staff to come to the office, and others to stay remote.
Did Your Company Successfully Switch to Remote Work?
A challenge in creating an IT environment that supports the remote work model is the ability of the solution to scale according to their size. When the network is set up to support only a few remote workers and then suddenly needs to handle a larger user-base, it can create a technology emergency.
A cloud-based solution is the best way to address this challenge quickly and allow your company to scale while maintaining security and business continuity. The organization pays only for the volume it needs currently, without needing physical architecture to make it happen.
How Could the Cloud Improve Your Security?
It’s common for an organization to have concerns about the security of cloud-based work while working remotely. While it might seem counter intuitive, it’s far more secure than a traditional physical IT environment, as cloud platforms have many layers of protection in place.
A cloud-based server with technology-solutions-as-a-service (TSaaS) involves hosting your business IT network in the cloud and gaining access to the robust security features enabled. It also means the organization will receive immediate security patches and updates directly as they are available.
TSaaS combined with cloud-based systems provides an upgrade to the security of your organization. It gives the ability to control authentication requirements for your users before accessing your valuable data and systems, ensuring you verify their permissions in real-time. It also gives visibility for your security team into potential threats, so they can do their jobs effectively.
Does Your Company Need 24x7xAlways Support?
As the world comes to terms with the effects of the pandemic, now’s the time to reevaluate your security standards and protocols for working from home. What were your triumphs? What were your tribulations? What’s holding you back at the moment?
Consider whether the shift to working remotely exposed security gaps or hindered the productivity of your organization in any way. Is there an opportunity for an outside managed services provider to introduce a cloud-based solution that better prepares your company for the future?
A smooth transition is essential. ATSG offers a full portfolio of cloud computing solutions that will keep your company working productively even as it transitions your workforce to a more secure digital environment.
ATSG – Transforming the Customer Experience Through Tech-enabled Managed Services
Today’s choices for mobility, cloud, infrastructure, communications, applications, and operations are mission-critical for small, mid-sized, and large enterprises alike. ATSG, Inc. is leading the transformation into Technology-Solutions-as-a-Service with our tech-enabled managed services portfolio and a commitment to technology innovation, operational excellence, and client intimacy.
Recognized by industry leaders and industry-leading publications, ATSG has over 25 years of operating history delivering exceptional customer experiences that directly result in competitive advantage, cost-savings, growth, and improved operational efficiencies. Visit www.atsg.net, email [email protected], call 1-914-517-2919 or visit one of our five Tristate locations today for more information.
