If your business has gone hybrid, you know that it’s not just a matter of letting employees work from home occasionally. A successful hybrid workplace requires having the right technology in place to support seamless communication and collaboration between employees working remotely and those in the office. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the key technologies you need to ensure your hybrid workforce stays effective and focused.
Communication tools
Communication tools are obviously a key part of any workplace, but they are especially important in a hybrid environment. Instant messaging apps like Slack or Microsoft Teams can help employees stay in touch no matter where they are, and video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Hangouts can be used for team meetings. Not only do these tools make communication among employees easier, but they also promote employee engagement, foster relationships, and improve team collaboration.
Project/Team management software
With employees working from different locations, it’s important to have project or team management software in place to help keep everyone on track. Platforms like Asana or Trello can be used to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor the progress of different projects. These tools can also be used to store and share project-related files and information, which is essential for hybrid team members.
Document management systems
A document management system (DMS) can be used to store and organize all of your company’s documents in one central location, which makes it easy for employees to access the information they need, no matter where they choose to work. Additionally, a DMS can help you track which employees have accessed or edited certain documents, making it easy to keep track of who is working on what. This is especially helpful for teams working on large or complex projects.
Desk booking software
Permanent desks are a thing of the past for many hybrid workplaces. Now, employees often use "hot desking," a system that allows employees to book desks or meeting rooms on an as-needed basis. This helps to optimize space in the office and makes it easier for employees to find a workspace that suits their needs. Desk booking software like Robin or Skedda can be used to manage desk bookings and ensure that there are always enough workstations available for employees who need them.
Cybersecurity solutions
It’s important to have a policy in place for remote access to company data and systems. This includes ensuring that employees are using secure virtual private network or VPN connections and have the appropriate permissions for the data they are accessing. Additionally, it’s essential to implement robust cybersecurity solutions to protect your company’s data from potential threats. These include firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and antivirus or anti-malware software.
Deploying a mobile device management (MDM) solution can also be helpful in securing company data on employees’ devices. Especially now that more and more businesses are allowing employees to use their own devices for work, an MDM solution can help you remotely monitor and manage all of the devices that have access to your network and data.
Finally, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive data backup and recovery plan in place to prepare for security breaches. This includes regular backups of all company data, as well as a plan for how to restore data in the event of an incident.
There are a lot of different technologies that can support your hybrid workforce. The key is to find the right ones for your business and deploy them in a way that makes sense for your team. outsourceIT can help you with that. We are experts in deploying and managing the IT solutions that businesses need to be successful. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you enable your employees to work effectively from anywhere.
