5 Remote IT Resources That Can Help Your Business Thrive Right Now
Whether you’re a large corporation or a small one-man business, chances are your company will have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak in one way or another. From a drop in sales to migrating to a remote workforce, the sudden upheaval of workplace norms has not been an easy ride.
Although there are many difficulties that come with a change in IT infrastructure (from onsite to remote, for example), there are also several IT resources designed to help remote businesses thrive. Plus, with over 74% of US businesses looking to continue remote working post-COVID-19, it is looking likely that remote working is here to stay. Now is the perfect time to get your business ready for this long-term trend.
From cloud solutions to telecommunication systems, there are a number of ways for you to keep your technology optimized during this time. Here are 5 specific IT resources that can help your business thrive remotely:
1. VPN
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a connection that allows you to securely access a server or network using a private Internet connection. This is a great solution for businesses who typically rely on in-house servers to access data securely.
Because VPNs are private networks, they don’t require you or employees to ever send or access data through an insecure or public Internet connection. Instead, it maintains the same security controls you have set up on your in-house network (such as multifactor authentication or encryption) to ensure that only authorized users can access data files.
2. Data Encryption and Backup
When switching to a remote network, it’s imperative to make sure you are regularly backing up your data to protect against data loss or theft.
Whether you have sensitive data or encrypted files, your business security is often lowered when working from a remote location. With many businesses having had to switch abruptly to a remote network, threat actors are seeking to take advantage of those that are most vulnerable. By ensuring that encryption is in place and regular backups are performed, you can not only better secure your data but also access secure copies of it if it is ever compromised.
3. VoIP Phone Systems
VoIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, is a telecommunication service that uses an Internet connection to convert your voice into a digital signal, therefore allowing you to make calls without onsite wiring or hardware.
If you’re looking to stay connected to your team in a secure and efficient way, using VoIP as a remote telecommunication service is a great solution. Not only does it make calls and voicemails private to defend against malicious interceptions; it also cuts costs that are normally spent on setup and monthly maintenance when using a traditional PBX system.
4.Cloud Solutions
Other great tools for businesses working remotely are cloud solutions. Cloud solutions are scalable according to workload needs and can be easily managed from anywhere on any device. Hosting solutions can also guarantee your cloud storage remains safe and regularly backed up.
Other advantages of cloud solutions include the following:
- They can offer a broad set of database, storage, application, analytics, and deployment services that can help your organization work more efficiently.
- They can help to centralize the applications you use within your business, keeping them in one place.
- They can help lower your business costs, especially when working as a remote business with changing workload needs.
- They ensure instant disaster recovery in unforeseen events such as cyberattacks or natural disasters.
5. A Managed Service Provider
If you’re unsure where to begin when it comes to implementing the technology resources mentioned above, working with a Managed Service Provider is a great solution. From expert consulting and installation services to remote support through online ticketing systems, you can be sure your business is getting the most out of your technology, even while working remotely.
Managed Service Providers are also able to offer a team of professional experts that are dedicated to serving you and your infrastructure. At the cost of roughly one salaried employee, you can be sure it is saving your business thousands of dollars when you need it the most.
With so many resources available to help your business thrive during this difficult time, there’s no need to stress that your regular practices are being disrupted. These tools can help you find new and often even more efficient ways to work than you have used before, helping you achieve greater levels of customer satisfaction and optimize your business for the future.