By 2020, nearly 75% of the American workforce will work from home according to the IDC. Organizations must be prepared to accommodate this shift from a corporate setting to a remote environment. Without the right technologies, a remote set up will not work and productivity will suffer.
There are 3 technologies that every business must have for a successful remote environment.
1 Comprehensive communication platform
According to the Harvard Business Review, 87% of remote employees believe video conferencing makes them feel more connected. The right platform should include instant messaging, voice, video, and screen share. All of these combined allow employees to easily communicate and collaborate with management and coworkers.
Popular platforms include Zula, Microsoft Teams, and Slack.
Our recommendation: Microsoft Teams (formerly Skype for Business)- it integrates well with Outlook and has many useful features.
2 Easy-to-use file sharing and collaboration application
Employees need an easy way to access, edit, and share company data within the organization as well as with clients and partners. Plus, the application doesn’t need to bog down laptops or personal devices.
Popular applications include DropBox Business, OneDrive for Business, Amazon S3, Google Drive for Work, and Microsoft SharePoint.
Our recommendation: Microsoft SharePoint– it does require an expert to design and develop a SharePoint platform tailored to your business needs.
3 Remote Access
Not all employees are full-time remote workers. They make only work from home two to three days per week. More than likely, they don’t have a company laptop to take home with them. Instead, they’ll use their own device to remote into the company network. In order to protect company files, the connection must be secure.
Popular softwares include LogMeIn, ScreenConnect, TeamViewer, GoToMyPC, and a company VPN.
