Remote Work and Hybrid Work Models
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, working remotely was considered more of a luxury than a popular working practice. During quarantines and social distancing, businesses were faced with little choice: either allow employees to work from home or shut down operations.
“Interestingly, a Deloitte survey revealed that 66% of businesses in South Africa were considering making remote work a permanent option post-COVID-19,” says Graeme Millar, managing director of Seven C Computing.
“Many companies, however, were hesitant due to concerns about cybersecurity, data protection, and the challenges of maintaining IT infrastructure for a distributed workforce.”
How Managed IT Services Decrease Risks
In the case of managed IT service outsourcing to providers like SevenC, businesses can achieve the following:
Secure Access Anywhere: Employees can access company systems, files, and applications from any location with network security supports using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a cloud system. This is necessary for safeguarding sensitive information, especially when staff are using different networks and devices to log in.
Seamless Collaboration Tools: Hybrid work is dependent on effective communication. An outsourced IT service includes the setup and support of interactive platforms for staff working at home and at the office, such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom. Whether it’s video conferencing, file sharing, or messaging, these tools keep teams connected and productive.
Strong Cloud Infrastructure: As more businesses embrace cloud solutions to sustain a hybrid work model, it is the responsibility of managed IT providers to deploy, scale and secure these cloud solutions. With cloud systems, workers are able to immediately reach common files and information sharing for effective workflow.
Comprehensive Device Management: Managing various devices (laptops, tablets, and phones) across different locations can be challenging. Managed IT services provide centralised device management, keeping all devices updated, secure, and compliant with company policies, no matter where they’re used.
Improved Security Focus: Employees working in a hybrid work system are more susceptible to cyber threats, especially when they access systems from a less secure home network. Managed IT service providers utilise multi-faceted approaches to reinforce cyber security, including the deployment of firewalls, data encryption, and constant surveillance of possible threats.
24/7 IT Support: In a hybrid work model, technical issues can arise at any time, not just during office hours. Managed IT services provide around-the-clock support, ensuring problems are quickly resolved to minimise downtime and keep productivity high, regardless of where employees are working.
AI-Driven Workforce Management
Outsourced IT services can provide your business with AI technologies that can help with recruiting and performance management.
AI-powered systems can analyse resumes, conduct initial interviews, and even anticipate which individuals are most suited for certain tasks.
This speeds up hiring and makes sure the right candidates for each role are found quickly and easily.
AI can also be used to assess employee performance. With the help of AI, managers can get a better understanding of how their teams are performing and identify areas for improvement. This is especially useful in a remote or hybrid set up, where monitoring of daily activities can be difficult.
Conclusion
Managed IT services are increasing workplace efficiency, productivity, and innovation via remote work and flexible workplaces, as well as the use of AI in workforce management. With managed IT services such as SevenC, your business can adopt advanced technologies to increase operational efficiency, cut costs and remain competitive.