A new demand for work-from-anywhere integration is defining the IT structure of major firms
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With companies like Google showcasing that hybrid office-attendance and work-from-home norms are starting to become the norm even in the most intensive areas of the tech sector, it’s easy to see how both staff and managers are pushing for flexibility.
This rising trend has permeated the corporate space in more ways than one, forcing companies to integrate new systems ready for the working realities of tomorrow. IT structures and the means by which staff interact with them are changing, with security at the forefront, and access and convenience remaining vital considerations.
Furthermore, communication norms, such as using instant messaging apps like Slack and video conference Apps like Microsoft Teams or Zoom are promoting a renewed way for employees to talk, collaborate, and even socialize on good terms.
Some of the most essential changes integrated by firms all over the tech sector are laid out below:
Integrated security
Integrated security within the devices of staff and deeper investments in VPN technology have allowed businesses to integrate that encrypted traffic as thoroughly as possible – and it’s making a difference. This can prevent against cybersecurity attacks more readily, as well as prevent private information from leaking.
Furthermore, staff are being trained to understand the necessity of avoiding phishing attacks, which often use social engineering to find a way into the systems of the business. As we’ve seen for some time, even large businesses like Sony struggled with thorough cybersecurity leaks in the past, and as such, work-from-home requirements are starting to bring those anxieties back to the forefront.
Firms that take the time to review their security processes will be able to avoid disruption more readily. This is especially important regarding Biden’s recent executive order detailing new cybersecurity requirements for any firms that supply provisions to Government departments.
Renewed office design
Businesses such as Google and others in the tech space are starting to redefine how they plan the shape and utility of their office environments. Renewed office designs matter, because they can emphasize how employees are more mobile than ever, not only attending the office for certain days but also working communally, storyboarding ideas, and ensuring that meetings are more virtual and attended than ever before.
As such, firms are starting to make use of collaborative seating environments with access to power outlets and charging stations, as well as portable desks or standing desks that allow a sense of seamless platform-working and maneuverability where appropriate.
This heightens creativity, improves the fluid motion of staff throughout your premises, even janitorial staff maintaining and installing elements like plastic enclosures for crucial switches, and may even allow firms to downsize their premises while not all the staff are attending their workday within the building as expected.
Conferencing as utility
With the utility of conferencing apps and devices that hold webcams being used as the primary device many use to work, video conferencing is becoming one of the default means of scheduling and progressing a meeting. This means even those on placement or those working from home can easily attend a virtual meeting, and it also means that morning virtual briefs are much easier to give rather than bringing everyone into a singular office.
It’s amazing to think what this is doing for communication, and how companies are combining this new format with briefing emails, instant messages, and digital announcements. Firms that integrate this have their staff at the touch of a button. Yet it’s also important to remember that in some countries and spreading in popular sentiment from much of the modern workforce – such as in France where this has become enshrined in law – obligatory responses to work emails and texts are now illegal, ensuring that work from home practitioners are provided the chance to better balance their home and work life. Ultimately, this benefits managers too.
Device provisions
With the new work from home norms comes the need for companies to set up their staff with devices and the digital tools/software to capably perform their duties. This gives companies the freedom to properly organize devices for work use only, which means they can determine the security environment through remain administrators of each device, limiting additionally installed software, and pushing out updates and cybersecurity patches where appropriate.
This means that while the upfront cost seems like a big investment, it is paying dividends in the long run. It also means that intensive desktop management and terminals has become less important than before.
We’re looking forward to seeing how the work-from-home trend continues to develop into the work-from-anywhere norms, as well as its developmental effect on business design, growth, recruitment processes, and the tech companies leverage to gro and expand their value.
