With the recent declaration of a pandemic, many government agencies are encouraging companies to have their employees work from home. How do you prepare the workplace for this transition? Read on to find out.
Check for High Speed Internet:
If an employee's internet is slow at home, they may not be able to perform their duties properly. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that they have at least a 50 mb download speed, and 5 mb upload speed. If they aren't getting this service, consider subsidizing the cost for them to upgrade, or speak with their provider to see if a business-class plan is available.
Move Your Phones to the Cloud:
By moving your phone system to the cloud, you may be able to reap benefits such as video conferencing, the ability for employees to use an app to make calls through their cell phones, the ability to use collaboration tools, and CRM integration. In other words, employees will have many (if not more) of the same capabilities as they would in a physical office.
Move the Desktop Workspace to the Cloud:
As a result of new technology, working through the cloud can be very similar to working in a physical office. There are now options that allow for the use of specialized software required to do one's job, and access control for file sharing. Some cloud sharing solutions even mimic the exact appearance of an employee's typical workspace.
Set up Remote File Sharing:
In most offices, it is crucial that employees can share files. Some popular file sharing options include:
- Microsoft Office 365 - OneDrive
- Google G-Suite - Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Box.com
Note, you should always speak with your IT company prior to choosing a file sharing service, as some are more secure than others. Additionally, some file sharing options can be loaded with malware, which is dangerous to both your employee's cyber security, and to your company's.
Supply them with Company Devices:
We understand that not all companies have the resources to provide a home computer for all of their employees. Some employers even make the mistake of thinking that personal devices are more secure, as they are not linked to the company. This is completely false. Many personal devices are laced with dormant viruses as a result of social media, google searches, and other normal activities. Viruses can lead to lost or stolen information, as well as a host of other expensive problems. A company device, when properly set up by an IT company, is secure.
Consider the Time Frame
ET-T can work with you to get work-from-home options up and running quickly. Work from home options are great, not just in the event of a pandemic, but for snow days, days where an employee is sick but still desires to work, and if you have limited office space or resources. In other words, its a good thing to consider implementing regardless of current global circumstances. Call 610-433-1000 to see what we can do for you.
Source: Oborn, Patrick. "3 Things You Need To Do Before..." March 9, 2020.
