There’s no question that the COVID-19 pandemic permanently altered the way in which we work. For many organisations, the workplace is now a blend of remote and on-site employees, with different employees in the office on different days of the week.
The trend is set to stay, with three-quarters (74%) of companies stating they’ll support some form of home-working moving forward.
This shift has created new challenges concerning IT support, as it’s now more difficult to provide in-person assistance to employees who are working remotely. In addition, organisations must be prepared to support a variety of devices and software, as some employees may be using personal devices for work.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to improve IT support in hybrid working environments. Here are three methods that your organisation can use to provide better support to employees:
1. Embrace the Cloud
There’s no question that, to maintain a hybrid working environment, you need to start moving as much of your infrastructure, data, and applications to the cloud as possible.
With your core data accessible from anywhere, at any time, you and your IT support team will be in a much better position to provide solutions to any issues, regardless of whether employees are in the office or not.
Plus, the cloud offers much greater flexibility when it comes to scaling up or down your infrastructure, which is essential as the number of remote and on-site employees frequently fluctuates in hybrid environments. There’s no need to constantly make changes to your physical hardware when you can simply adjust your cloud-based services to meet changing demand.
2. Invest in Leading Collaboration Tools for Improved Communication
Disrupting the day-to-day communication that used to take place in the office is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to supporting a hybrid workforce.
How can you pop into a meeting room to discuss a project, or how can you provide IT support and solve problems quickly when you’re not in the same room as the person who needs help?
The solution, therefore, comes in the form of investing in leading collaboration tools that enable better communication, no matter where employees are located.
There are many great options on the market, but some of the most popular include Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft Teams. These tools enable organisations to hold virtual meetings, provide remote IT support, and share files and data easily, regardless of location.
And don’t forget real-time collaboration tools such as Slack, Trello, and Asana, which are perfect for keeping everyone on the same page, no matter where they’re working from.
Other remote technology that can help from an IT support standpoint includes:
- Virtual desktops
- VoIP
- Live chat
- SMS
3. Partner with a Forward-Thinking IT Support Partner
Many small to medium-sized businesses have relied on in-house IT departments to provide support for their employees. However, as the workplace has become more hybrid, this way of working is no longer feasible, both economically and logistically.
Instead, you need to look for a forward-thinking IT support partner that can provide assistance to employees, regardless of whether they’re in the office or working remotely.
In particular, you need to find a partner with experience in supporting hybrid environments and one that utilises the latest technology, such as AI-powered helpdesks, remote monitoring, and cloud infrastructure management tools.
This way, you can be sure that you’re protected against server outages, network security threats, and data loss, no matter where your employees are working from.
Speak to Corp Networking Today Regarding IT Support for Hybrid Environments
If you’re looking for IT support for your hybrid work environment, Corp Networking is here to help. We are a leading provider of IT support services for businesses in Wirral and surrounding areas, including Liverpool and Chester.
We have a team of experienced and qualified IT professionals who are experts in supporting hybrid environments and utilising the latest technology to keep your business running smoothly.
To find out more about our IT support services or to request a free quote, call us today on 0151 334 2543.
