Supporting your remote workforce with Managed IT

The focus was on keeping teams together in the same building in the belief that it was the best way to be fully operational.

According to a collection of studies by The Home Office Life , in January and February 2020 5.7% of workers reported that they work from home. By April 2020 this had risen to 43.1%. Since the pandemic, 19% of workers want to work from home 5 days a week while 85% of workers would prefer a hybrid working pattern.

What has made remote working possible? Robust IT infrastructures. Companies that already had a remote working infrastructure in place in March 2020 transitioned much more quickly to remote working.

E2E Technologies are Managed IT specialists. We install bespoke IT systems to ensure companies have the facilities and support to operate remotely. We then provide a Managed IT service to optimise productivity and ensure all systems run smoothly.

What IT functions might you need to support remote working?

Here’s a list that may sound familiar:

• Document storage, access and management
• CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software
• Cyber security
• Systems maintenance
• Conference facilities
• Colleague communication
• Team management – cloud-based HR

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. Essentially, you need a bespoke system that manages your company’s particular needs and workforce.

Challenges for companies that adopt remote working

Remote working covers a whole range of work patterns and locations. Some workers will work from home all of the time whereas others may adopt the hybrid model and only spend a proportion of their working week at the office. The time working away from the office could be spent in various places such as at home, in a café, at a hot desk, or on a train. This nomadic way of working can create challenges for employers.

• Your primary concern is cyber security. Remote data access and unsecured networks and endpoints make a company more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• By not being together on-site, remote working can cause breakdowns in communication.
• Project management can be difficult for teams of remote workers.

How does Managed IT support remote working?

Once the remote working platform is in place it needs to be managed and maintained. This is where Managed IT supports the remote working model.

• Cyber security: Managed IT services automatically update antivirus software and regularly test existing security technology, keeping your company and clients safe.
• Communication: Cloud-based conferencing software is maintained and regularly updated to keep teams connected.
• Project management: The installation and maintenance of project management software and document storage solutions enable teams to collaborate and manage projects effectively.

Managed IT support also continually monitors your infrastructure including remote workers. It keeps all of your systems up to date so that remote workers don’t experience drops in productivity, provides a quick response to any problems, and offers clear, expert advice on getting the most out of your IT systems.

Managed IT facilitates global collaboration

With an increase in global collaboration either within companies or between companies and their clients, being able to work across different time zones is becoming more essential.

Companies that have robust remote working systems in place are benefiting from this change in focus known as asynchronous communication, or simply collaborating by working at different times. Through continued maintenance and review, Managed IT ensures that companies have the necessary systems in place to work effectively with counterparts in other countries across different time zones.

Can we provide Managed IT services to support your remote workforce?

For more information on the Managed IT services provided by E2E Technologies, please get in touch.