In a very short period of time, COVID-19 has completely changed the way people work in the United States and across the world. It’s changed business operations and workflow overall. This pandemic has lead to a great deal of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs) needing to furlough employees and drastically cut costs where they can.
Now that the world is primarily utilizing interactive video tools for both business and personal interactions, hackers have turned their attention to these types of tools and applications. This can lead to a new kind of infiltration. Not only have they targeted video conferencing sites like Zoom, but there’s also been a surge in attempted attacks against healthcare facilities.
It can be difficult to shift work environments from a social location to an isolated home office. For many, your home may have transformed into a co-working space with your family. Although anyone with a remote job is lucky, there are both limitations and requirements.
Having policies in place for working remotely can protect your business from cyberattacks. It also allows your now remote employees to do their jobs as successfully as they would in the office. Even if your team are now in different time zones they still have the ability to communicate as efficiently as possible.
Here are some of the great features a remote access plan through a Managed Service Provider (MSP) has to offer:
Video Conferencing
Conference calls have become one of the most important tools used by business at this time. Meetings must go on while people work remote; however, voice-only leaves much to be desired in terms of tone and context. This also goes for "catch-up" sessions with family and friends.
Additionally, we highly recommend putting in place video conferencing options. You can implement something as simple as Teams, Google Duo/FaceTime, or something more feature intensive, like Zoom.
There is a serious social aspect to business. There are so many different mediums you can communicate through. Video conferencing is as close as you can get to having your associates in the room with you. Although it may not seem like business as usual at first it’s become one of the most important ways for organizations to stay connected and continue their mission.
Messaging Software
As previously mentioned, socializing is such a significant part of the work day. You can’t just spin your chair around to talk to your co-worker when working remote, yet it’s not efficient to always pick up the phone.
We recommend implementing a messaging software like Microsoft Teams or Slack to open communication channels and allow employees to continue to interact quickly and accurately. Utilizing these tools, you can set up one-on-one conversations or set up channels to facilitate team communication.
It’s also another way to video chat and hold video meetings. This swiftness of these messaging tools really allow your remote workers to function as efficiently as possible. It's important to meet your deadlines wherever you are, and these types of communication can get you to the finish line.
Email isn’t always quick enough to solve issues in a timely manner. Messaging software is a small thing that can make a big difference.
Phone
A strong VoIP solution will allow employees to take their phone numbers remote to their cellphones without giving out their personal numbers. Office calls will transfer seamlessly to the employee’s cellphone, voice mails will be sent via email, and the employee can dial-out using a phone application to maintain office functionality.
This is another feature that prioritizes safety. In a time when cybercrime is rising the last thing you want is to have your personal phone number in a vulnerable position. With this kind of system you don’t have to worry about that.
Remote Access Policy
Prior to providing access to your employees, it is important to have a remote policy in place acknowledges that your company monitors whatever they do while connected. Employees should be encouraged to act as if they are on-site even while working remote and reminded that disciplinary actions for doing something against company policy will apply.
A viable remote access plan can incorporate the majority of features mentioned in our two remote access blogs. With a good plan, safety and communication are key to success. Communication keeps your business running and your team working effectively and moving business initiatives forward.
No matter your position, it’s important to help your team members stay productive. In an office environment, you move around and there’s a social element. Company video calls are a wonderful way to stay connected and remind your employees how
A Managed Service Provider (MSP) understands that not all plans and organizations are created equal. A plan that works for one business may not be right for another. Partnering with an MSP allows you to get the right plan at the right price.
We are living in a new reality where you are probably more dependent on technology than ever. An MSP will cater to your needs and alleviate any uncertainties you have about your at-home workspace functioning as it should.
Contact The TNS Group today to learn more about remote access and what kind of plan might be right for you.
Categories: Managed Service Provider, MSP Blogs
