How to turn your business digital and embrace hybrid working

Every business will essentially become digital. The traditional workforce as we know it has transformed into a hybrid, distributed and work from anywhere digital environment.

While Gartner revealed 82% of leaders plan to adopt hybrid workforces, the work from home (WFH) culture is giving way to a distributed, work from anywhere (WFA) model. There is no data that supports this is going to change.

Many organisations assume they have already adopted hybrid models; however, there is still a way to go for businesses to slipstream long-term efficiency, productivity, and remote engagement.

As businesses continue to transform, redesign, reinvent and respond to modern workforce needs, technology is paving the way with solutions that create enhanced human connection, collaboration and enterprise-grade experiences for remote and in-office employees.

Embrace the new digital and hybrid workforce

Almost every business, industry wide has depended on technological innovation over the last 24 months to ensure continuity and keep operations afloat. While restrictions are beginning to ease, business investment in digital transformation plans should not.

The next phase of the workforce needs to be comfortable with uncertainty. Investing in digital, is investing in long-term resilience for any crisis or critical event — and it should be an ongoing journey. An executive survey from Deloitte suggested more “digitally mature companies” are more resilient and agile in a crisis.

Businesses with higher digital maturity are more likely to experience high customer satisfaction, boost sales and revenue, attract new talent and retain existing talent with superior employee experiences.

Modernising traditional business structures ensures stronger security, lower overheads costs and operational efficiency. One way to keep pace with digital requirements is engaging with a trusted IT partner. Why? IT providers are more than technology and software providers, they’re key enablers to help businesses reach their goals faster. The modern IT partner is a strategic and critical pillar to the business. As tech consultants they have expertise suitable for businesses of all sizes, from sole trader through to large enterprises to provide and build tailored solutions for your business, the industry you’re in and your core business objectives. They add ongoing value to you and your team and keep you on the front foot.

Comfort in uncertainty, the non-negotiable tech checklist you need to crisis proof your business

In the midst of a workforce revolution, for every business to remain competitive, safeguard business continuity and ensure flexible work arrangements, organisations will need to rethink long-term operations and traditional processes.

Intelligent technology will be an enabler for successful, long-term remote, hybrid and distributed work possibilities and seamless collaborations. To maximise return, technology investments need to strengthen security, process, and deliver sustainable experiences to empower productivity, employee engagement and connectivity, from anywhere at any time.

In the new hybrid workplace offices will need to be enabled to cope with the unification of physical and virtual meetings. To prepare for an always-on, connect-from-anywhere approach here are the technologies you need to adopt and embrace:

1. Mobility first approach

   Speed and flexibility are the new competitive advantage. Adopting mobile solutions from portable devices through to digital infrastructure will ensure your business is operational, from anywhere at any time.

2. Secure connectivity

   Security is the prime factor for any digital plan. From traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to now adding additional verification and validation through multifactor authentication using Zero Trust Security — this is the big step in security architecture that will prevent hackers from manipulating your assets.

3. Modern devices

   Frequently refreshing your technology devices can go a long way. Today’s devices are more advanced than ever with upgraded engrained security features to protect users from suspicious activities, built in latest software, processors and more features that enable your team to work more effectively and securely.

4. Robotics and artificial intelligence

   Whether it be removing administrative and tedious tasks like reporting or bigger high-risk and safety roles on behalf of humans, these are powerful technologies that will enhance the way we work, not replace our roles.

5. Augmented and virtual reality

   These are immersive technologies that will enable remote training and development while enhancing learning experiences for current and new team members.

6. Disaster recovery

   Being prepared for what might happen next in your digital environment is critical. By deploying the right back-up and disaster recovery solutions for your business, you can avoid being caught out by a cybersecurity threat and roll-back to a safe operating environment in a timely manner. Business continuity is what hackers and online attackers are looking to disrupt. Avoid being their next victim by deploying the right security and disaster recovery solutions in advance.

7. Collaboration tools

   Keeping teams connected with the ability to communicate, engage and collaborate from any location is key to long-term flexibility. From chat rooms and video meetings to file storage, shared whiteboards and application integration, collaboration is a fundamental element for productive teams

8. Integrated technology

   Seamless integration by enabling devices and software to be in sync and connected make work life more productive and efficient. From how you manage and take meetings through to switching from a laptop to working on the go with your mobile device.

9. Technology in physical meeting rooms

   Gone are the days of huddling around a personal device in the centre of the meeting room. Now it’s all about creating equal level of participation for all attendees from any environment — whether in a physical or virtual space. Now modern workforces need to equip meeting rooms with digital communication and collaborative solutions that connect remote users and groups in engaging meeting rooms.

Business resilience can be achieved with the right technology that enable a seamless working experience, merging the virtual and physical office. Employers need to focus on removing any accessibility barriers by providing smart assistive technology, team management and meeting platforms.

The right security for an always-on, connect-from-anywhere workforce

The Australian Cyber Security Centre reported one cybercrime occurred every 10 minutes over the last year and at least one malicious attack every eight hours.

The modern remote and distributed workforce is exposed to greater cyber threats and vulnerabilities, shifting security responsibilities from the corporate office to multiple remote and personal environments. As security and cyber attacks become more sophisticated, the way we safeguard our IT infrastructure is evolving. Here are three uses of security technologies you need to adopt:

Three security technologies to adopt

1. Endpoint security

   As device usage increases, so do security vulnerabilities. Endpoint security is where it starts, it is the interface device whether a phone or laptop. Using Endpoint protection is a critical component of a comprehensive business security strategy and can often be your first line of defense. From the basic anti-malware and web protection up to a complete EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response).

2. Network security

   Whether in the office or at home, network security minimises the risk of suspicious activity and protects the usability and integrity of data, IT infrastructure and key business assets

3. Backup and recovery

   Safeguard business data and protect yourself against data loss. Comprehensive data backup and recovery solutions ensures businesses have backup copies/snapshots that moves at the pace of your business, data to be restored from an earlier point in time, helping a business recover from an unplanned event.’