According to a recent report by Forrester Research, the strength of organizational enterprise technology will play a critical role in providing a smooth transition back to work as organizations that employ millions of Americans consider reopening their doors. Many businesses were thrust into a remote work environment without warning, and FNTS tech leaders said the next challenge will be migrating employees into a new hybrid work environment in which some on-site employees return while others remain in newly remote roles.
This hybrid work environment could be the new normal for the foreseeable future. Safety, security and planning will be key in making a seamless transition back to the physical office – no matter an organization’s pace in reopening.
Phasing in Long-Term Solutions
For most industries, reopening corporate offices and the information technology systems that help them operate will be a multiphased process. A major priority will be helping organizations that established short-term fixes or remote systems on the fly in reaction to COVID-19 establish more robust cloud solutions that enable remote capabilities needed for the new work environment. This will enable companies to maintain social distancing and have the capability to limit on-site employees as needed while still enabling smooth performance for remote employees.
A key will be boosting network capabilities and remote-access login and system security features and business applications while increasing remote access to them. Network monitoring will be increasingly important, as will the load-balancing technology to spread traffic evenly across multiple servers.
Seeing the need to expand remote capabilities for our clients in early March, FNTS began having more conversations with company leaders to prepare their organizations for an influx in employees working remotely. Since then, FNTS has seen a surge in virtual desktop deployments. Engaging a service provider like FNTS can assist in deployments to ensure users remain productive and engaged while maintaining the necessary level of security and control over user access to corporate resources.
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, a solution offered by FNTS, enables seamless workforce productivity, giving employees the flexibility to work remotely by accessing apps, desktops and data from any device, network or digital workspace. Citrix supports and enables a remote workforce through modern application delivery and provides real-time analytics through a zero-trust security approach that allows businesses to keep sensitive information safe.
One of the biggest challenges in working remotely through virtualization is ensuring employees have real-time response from virtual apps and desktops, regardless of network quality and location. Citrix adapts to a wide variety of variables to deliver the best user experience at all times through its high-definition experience (HDX) technology that prevents lag times and increases speed. Citrix can recreate the experience of traditional Linux and Windows 10 PCs, while allowing businesses to make the most of existing resources like printing, scanning and other devices they would have with a traditional desktop.
Microsoft Teams
As businesses seek more efficient ways to collaborate in one central location, many are turning to cloud-based services like Microsoft Teams, within Office 365, to organize video chats and conference calls. With Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, users can access Office 365 tools from any device, even when they’re on the go.
Staying productive and empowering employees is top of mind for many businesses navigating business disruptions, which can impact organizations of any size in any location. Having a hybrid work environment in place ensures business can continue in the office or at home, no matter the disruption.
The experts at FNTS consult with organizations on the best technical solutions to enable a hybrid work environment and which tools are most suitable based on specific business requirements, including the number of employees, staff locations, applications being used and more. FNTS then reviews each option with clients to ensure they understand the technology, features, implementation approach and timeline. Today’s remote work tools are easy to use and allow employees to function no differently than if they were in the office.
For more information, visit fnts.com.