How IT Should Adapt to Hybrid Workplace

Blog Post

October 18, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized the workplace. No longer content with being bound to a rigid work schedule or workplace, workers are exploring other options. Hybrid workplaces—offices that support both in-house and remote workers—have become increasingly common and are forecasted to rise in popularity, even after the public health threat has passed.

Now that more employees are working from home, businesses are looking for smart, innovative solutions to IT management that can be utilized by all workers, regardless of location. But what are some of the key changes that need to happen in order to foster a true sense of cohesion between IT and their hybrid workspaces?

Flexible Onboarding

Remote employees, like in-house workers, need access to appropriate onboarding materials, which is why it’s so important for your IT department to account for the needs of all employees as they get acquainted with the company. If possible, you should work to streamline an onboarding process that’s similar, if not identical for all employees, whether they’re working at the office or at home.

Facilitate Adequate Communication Between New Workers and Managers: As the ones primarily responsible for employee onboarding, managers have a unique role in welcoming new workers to the team and helping them feel connected, even though they may be working remotely.
Manage Tools and Software: Your remote workers will likely be using different onboarding materials than your on-site employees, so it’s important to ensure that your business has a software system in place to assist remote or hybrid employees who are onboarding online. You might consider creating a special application or tutorial that employees can easily navigate independently.
Offer Training: Along with providing onboarding tools, your IT team should prepare to help remote employees complete whatever training processes your business has put in place.

Outsourcing Technical Support

To help save time and money, some businesses outsource certain tasks or procedures that could have otherwise been done internally. Hybrid workplaces being flexible by nature makes outsourcing a simple and convenient way to keep operations flowing smoothly.

IT plays a critical role in helping companies outsource customer support. Help desks, for instance, provide end-users with information related to a business’s services or procedures. These are especially helpful for teams that are at least partially remote—for them, it’s even more important to be able to access sources of help should issues arise.
The following are some of the benefits your business can reap by choosing to outsource its IT support within a hybrid workspace:

Greater Flexibility: With remote employees, flexibility is a must, and by employing a third party to manage your help desk, your business will be able to provide around-the-clock support to remote workers.
A Wider Pool of Resources: Outsourcing IT support opens the door for your business to access a larger variety of technical tools and updates.
“Pre-made” Specialists: Hiring an outside source of technical help can save your business the costs and stress associated with hiring and training an entire team of IT support specialists in-house. You’ll have access to a team of experts that hit the ground running.

Teksetra understands the importance of building a quality IT support team for your hybrid workforce. Our highly-trained support technicians offer network and service support, security, training, staffing, help desk support, remote IT services, and more.

We work to seamlessly integrate with your regular business operations, efficiently working behind the scenes to avoid disrupting your internal processes. Teksetra’s services are offered throughout the continental US, so even if your team is spread all over the country, we’ve got you covered.

E-Waste Recycling

E-waste refers to broken or discarded electronic equipment. Remote employees, of course, need to dispose of outdated equipment, just as in-house employees do, but this can prove challenging for those based outside the office. As such, many companies have implemented policies and procedures to help their remote workers dispose of electronics. Here’s a quick look at some of Teksetra’s tips for managing e-waste with a hybrid workforce:

Keep an Inventory: One of the best ways businesses can manage their electronics is by keeping an inventory of what’s being checked out by which employee and when. Keeping track of this information will also help keep your data safe, as you’ll minimize the risk of decommissioned items falling into the wrong hands.
Outline a Disposal Policy: It may seem obvious, but as a business overseeing remote employees, you should work with IT to put a policy in place detailing your preferred electronics disposal process. Ensure that remote employees are able to follow the same policies and procedures as on-site workers.
Partner With a Qualified ITAD Provider: There are various companies that specialize in IT asset disposition, or ITAD. They can help you dispose of your electronics in an efficient, eco-friendly manner.

By partnering with Teksetra for your ITAD needs, you’ll have access to a top-tier range of features. We dispose of everything from computers to monitors to scanners. Our experts are trained to manage your waste as securely as possible. In addition, we can help your business reduce its carbon footprint by looking for ways to refurbish or recycle your discarded items.

Conferencing Technology

Teleconferencing is a great way for teams to stay connected across your organization, whether they’re sitting in their office on-site, or nestled up on the couch at home. But in order to make the most of these business relationships, you need to have the proper components in place. IT can aid companies in adapting audio and video technologies for remote workers.

First, it’s important to perform test runs. Most of us have experienced the frustration of encountering technical difficulties in the middle of an important Zoom meeting or business call. It can be embarrassing for the facilitating party and cause a host of disruption-related issues for everyone involved. To avoid catastrophe, your IT department should test things beforehand.

To inspire a sense of cohesion among workers, your business might want to consider optimizing its conferencing platforms for those working outside of a professional environment. Those working from home, for example, may struggle to find the appropriate lighting on camera. IT can help ensure that the conferencing platform is set up in a way to help everybody look and sound their best.

Video conferencing doesn’t have to be a headache. With Teksetra’s audiovisual solutions, your business can partner with employees and customers to stay on top of all aspects of communication, no matter where you’re located in the world.

Teksetra is Here to Help

Although the future of work is trending towards a hybrid model, there are still many ways workers can stay connected, and by adapting to the changes brought about by remote work, IT departments can work to create a better experience for everyone. They play a crucial role in helping companies stay on top of their game and create alignment between on-site and remote workers.

To learn more about Teksetra’s IT services and how they can benefit your company, visit teksetra.com, or give us a call at 800.358.5574. You can also email us with general inquiries at inquiries@teksetra.com. We are happy to help your business find the right IT solutions to optimize your hybrid workforce.