The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way that companies operate. Many companies have shifted to remote work to create a safer work environment for employees and customers alike.
According to a PwC U.S. Remote Work Survey, 83 percent of employers have reported remote work to be a success.
However, many businesses are still encountering technical challenges that negatively impact productivity and motivation.
Without access to the proper tools and technology, companies supporting a remote workforce could face a loss of income, security risks and poor communications.
With remote work becoming the new normal, businesses must develop new strategies for working effectively from remote locations.
Partnering with a managed IT company can help companies remain productive and successful by delivering the information, tools and resources they need to thrive.
Here is a look at some of the services that a managed IT company can offer to companies with a fully or partially remote workforce.
Cloud Support
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of on-demand computing services. With cloud support, a managed IT company can aid businesses with resources like data storage, networking, software and databases.
Instead of keeping files on a local storage device or hard drive, cloud-based technology enables companies to store essential data on a remote database.
Moving a business to the cloud allows companies to reduce their IT footprint while replacing their outdated physical on-premise infrastructure.
Access to cloud resources is essential for businesses engaging in remote work as employees can gain access to critical applications, storage and services from any device at any time.
IT Security
The safety of employee and customer information is a significant concern when performing remote work. Modern hackers have discovered more invasive ways to steal sensitive information, often leading to costly data breaches and other security events.
IT security services provided by an experienced managed IT company can help ensure that a business is adequately protected against cyber risks.
A managed IT company can provide cyber security consulting to determine what cyber risks the business faces. Penetration testing can bring these threats to life by testing the business’s infrastructure for weak points.
Managed IT companies also provide other essential security services, such as IT security compliance, network security assessments and network security solutions.
Unified Communications
Communication between team members and departments can sometimes become complicated in a remote setting. Although technology has given businesses access to communication methods like voice calls, instant messaging and email, business communications can often be difficult to manage while maintaining efficiency.
Managed IT companies offer unified communication (UCaaS) to provide businesses with communication or telecom software services that meet their unique business needs.
Cloud-based UCaaS solutions may include email, instant messaging, voicemail, speech recognition, SMS, fax, desk phones, desktop sharing, interactive whiteboard and various other communication resources.
Network Monitoring
Remote workers must have a way to safely connect to their company’s network to prevent security gaps that could allow cybercriminals to access private information.
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are often the go-to for remote workers but businesses that have never engaged in remote work may have difficulty managing this technology.
A managed IT company can help businesses install and configure VPN clients and set up permissions and authentication to ensure that data is kept safe and secure. Managed IT companies can offer ongoing support and network monitoring services.
Data Backup
Data loss and corrupted files are more common when employees are put in a remote setting. Having an available data backup is critical in the event that a sudden loss of data occurs.
Managed IT services providers offer affordable data backup and recovery services that provide a high level of value to business clients.
There are a variety of data backup services offered by managed IT companies, such as local backups, cloud backups and hybrid backups that offer the best of both worlds.
A managed IT services provider can help a business create a personalized data recovery plan and implement it effectively.
IT Help Desk
When employees encounter an IT problem while working in a remote location, it can sometimes be difficult to resolve these issues.
Having round-the-clock access to an IT help desk can ensure that IT issues are resolved quickly and efficiently.
Employees can easily call, email or chat to discuss the issue and a managed IT services provider will get started immediately to tackle the problem.
Speak with a Managed IT Professional
Many businesses are moving towards a fully remote workforce but a large percentage continue to encounter technology-related challenges. Even with a dedicated IT department, these issues can overwhelm employees and cause a loss of productivity.
To learn how an experienced managed IT company can help support remote work or to learn more about IT security or managed IT services, reach out to the IT experts at SeaGlass Technology.