Remote Working During Covid 19

With the challenges of Covid 19, many businesses are scrambling to adapt with the reality of running a business with most or all of their employees working remotely. Businesses are struggling with the new changes as they ease into new software and upgrade to the cloud in order communicate securely and continue serving customers.

The restrictions imposed with the Covid-19 pandemic promise to be around for awhile, and companies have been forced to adjust to the reality that remote working is becoming the norm. A quick migration to digital technologies to support employees will continue even into the recovery phase.

The change in business practices has sparked a digital transformation as companies look for ways to implement easier solutions for employees. Recent data shows that the economy has jumped five years forward in digital adoption within a span of eight weeks. At accentedge, we are working hard to make sure employees are comfortably adapting to the new changes and are able to work with new software in order to better serve customers.  

Many Companies Already Equipped To Work Remotely

Most large companies, from packaged goods companies, manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, financial institutions and others are already equipped to work remotely.  Their employees are used to working on a secure VPN network using a laptop from home, with access to secure email and meetings with their colleagues. 

These companies are so comfortable with the technology that many are committed to keeping their employees working from home for the foreseeable future.  Google, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, and Zillow and numerous others have switched to remote working with plans to keep employees out of the office until 2021.

Seventy-seven percent of the workforce say they want to work from home until the pandemic has passed over, according to Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics. The use of software such Zoom, Slack, and Google Hangouts has made it possible for employees to adapt to the new work-from-home setup, be productive – and for companies to continue to do business.

Keeping Track Of Employees Outside Of An Office Setting

There are many ways for employers to track a worker’s productivity within a day. Using a work laptop or accessing a company’s VPN can enable employers to monitor work and updates – similar to how they measured employee productivity in a traditional office.

Many software programs are available that provide remote staff monitoring through a tracking software. The software tracks the employee’s computer use throughout the day and can determine the number of hours worked.  Some programs can even log a user’s GPS coordinates so a quick trip to your local pizza shop at 2 pm will show up on the employer’s feed.

In addition to employee monitoring software, companies are increasingly using programs such as Slack, that makes it easy to share files and communicate easily between users.  Zoom, Skype and Microsoft Teams all provide excellent video conferencing capabilities.

Staying Secure While Working Remote

Staying safe online while working remote is a top priority for companies. Most employers utilize a Virtual Private Network (VPN) in order to provide their employees with a secure connection to a workspace. This technology is easy to use and helps keep hackers out and block off any “back door” access that they might be using to breach a computer system.

Many businesses are also investing in comprehensive antivirus software. Companies are encouraging employees to keep family members away from work devices to avoid any tampering. During these times, company computers are more likely to be exposed to children and family members so it’s important to keep remote work computers dedicated to work functions.

Videoconferencing security has become a new risk during this era. Zoom has admitted that its software has multiple security flaws after many reports of “Zoom Bombing.” The FBI has released guidelines to help users protect themselves from such attacks.

Also See: Secure Videoconferencing During Covid-19: Ten Tips to Prevent “Zoom Bombing”

Businesses are focusing on making sure their computer systems are up-to-date and secure. A secure Cloud and networking platform are essential to keep business data and practices safe and confidential. Network supervisors need to have a disaster recovery plan in place in case of a shutdown and need to be constantly backing up critical operations information. Eliminating weak security links and building access levels can also help avoid security breaches and limit access to data.

The Need For Digital Transformation

Utilizing software that is secure, accessible and easy-to-use is part of any company’s remote digital technology plan.

Microsoft Office 365, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, continues to be the most popular software for business. Microsoft has done a good job keeping their software current and are focusing on updating their Microsoft Teams software to compete with Zoom videoconferencing – a critical need for remote workers.

Aside from software, home office equipment – from chairs and desks to printers and routers – is a huge part of the digital transformation era we’re going through.

Companies including Airbnb and Uber are offering a $500 stipend for employees to pay for home office equipment. Many people qualify for tax credits from the IRS for equipment used at home for their work.  

Businesses with a strong digital technology foundation will be best equipped to adapt to new ways of doing business during the Covid 19 pandemic.

The Way Forward

The past few months have been a rollercoaster for many businesses, organizations and corporations. The pandemic sparked a digital transformation and as work-from-home has become the norm. Many companies are pivoting with new technology to continue to do business and meet the needs of their customers. The aim is to give employees an advantage working from home by providing them with the right resources to succeed.

At accentedge, we realize that it isn’t always easy shifting gears during these tough times. However, we know the future success of business profitability relies increasingly with the ability to operate remotely.  We are here to work with you on custom solutions that ensure your data is secure, your company is up-to-date and efficient with the best technology, and you can continue to do business and succeed while working remotely.