Remote Work During Coronavirus Outbreak
On December 31, 2019, China alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) to a few dozen cases of unusual pneumonia in Wuhan. At the time, the virus was unknown. On January 7, 2020, officials announced they had identified a new virus belonging to the coronavirus family. This would become known as the “coronavirus” or COVID-19. A short time later, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency on January 30, 2020. They later labeled coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11, 2020 as the number of cases around the world continued to rise. Texas has more than 70 confirmed, known cases at the moment.
As Businesses, Schools, and Daycares Close in a Majority of Areas, Remote Work is More Important Than Ever Before.
During this difficult, trying time, the best way for businesses to remain operational is embracing remote work. This keeps staff members and our communities safe while minimizing the spread of the virus. But how do you achieve a remote workforce that works as efficiently at home as they do in the office? Here are the most important considerations to keep in mind:
What jobs and/or tasks can be done at home?
Take some time to think about what jobs and/or tasks can be done at home. Write a list so you’re able to start alerting the employees that can continue working from home of your plans. Then, make sure you’re prepared to audit their existing technology resources, such as:
- Computers
- Desktops
- Smartphones
- Internet connection
They should have up-to-date devices, as well as a strong, reliable internet connection to help them keep up with the workload.
Do you need to purchase any technologies?
Once you’ve audited your team’s existing technology resources at home, make sure you’re taking note of what, if anything, you need to purchase for them to work effectively. Aside from equipment for their homes, such as upgraded computers or internet packages, make note of any of the following:
- VoIP business phones that enable employees to access enterprise-grade features, as well as make and receive calls via the internet from their home.
- Cloud-based productivity suites, such as Microsoft Office 365, that give you the ability to share files, video conference, edit documents in real-time, and more.
- Cybersecurity solutions, such as VPNs that give employees the ability to connect to the corporate network in a secure, encrypted manner.
It’s important to ensure you’re providing the tools necessary to work effectively and maintain communications amongst staff, customers, and leadership teams.
Do you need to provide any sort of training?
If your employees aren’t familiar with how to use remote access tools or cloud-based productivity suites, it’s important to provide training, whether it’s via videos or emails, to help them better leverage what’s available. This means guiding them on:
- How to stay safe against threats, such as ransomware, malware, and other viruses.
- How to use video conferencing capabilities within any cloud-based productivity suites.
- How to leverage the softphone feature available through VoIP business phones that lets them connect via their smartphone.
For those with concerns, it’s important to address those concerns thoroughly so they’re confident in their ability to work remotely. If you're in need of IT support in Dallas, don't hesitate to reach out.
Embrace a Remote Workforce to Continue Operations During This Difficult Time. Data Magic Can Help You Get Setup and Provide Ongoing Remote Support to Your Employees While They Work from Home. Call (469) 635-5500 Now.
