News of the virus, which the WHO is now calling COVID-19 but is more popularly known as "Coronavirus", has prompted urgent interest among companies in the ability for their workforce to do things remotely. Business collaboration software, virtual desktops, and private networks can all help business continue as usual, even with quarantined employees.
Most business owners and executives are well aware of the looming health pandemic. Trying to limit the contagion, we’ve already seen big business take major measures. These include:
- Nike temporarily closed its European headquarters when an employee was diagnosed with the virus. After the first death in Washington state in the U.S., the company also closed its world headquarters for a deep clean of its campus.
- Google and Twitter have told their employees to stay home to work.
Other businesses are weighing up the options. Furloughs? Changes to sick leave? Encouraging work from home? The last option can be appealing, but how can your employees work remotely? How can they continue collaborating with people they used to sit beside, meet in the office, or travel to see?
The Right Technology for Remote Work
Remote workers want a centralized platform with a simplified (yet secure) login process. Business collaboration software is a great enabler of mobile, flexible work. Replace in-person meetings with voice or video conferencing. Streamline chat, voice, and video in one software platform. Tools such as Microsoft Teams, or Slack, allow business to create team channels and can also enable communication with clients.
Business collaboration tools can also simplify access to email, calendars, documents, and file sharing. Technologies like single sign-on can be used to access business tools and data. This supports improved efficiency and increased transparency.
Providing a virtual desktop can provide access to important business applications, as well. Virtual desktops in the cloud allow users to work separately from their personal computers. For example, our WVD solution virtualizes the user’s unique desktop environment at any workstation. All the data and applications are stored on a central server. Users access apps, folders, and toolbars from anywhere, with a consistent, secure experience.
Using a cloud-based solution also provides peace of mind. While remote workers access the corporate network, the sensitive data isn't stored locally. So, the business needn’t worry about the loss or theft of sensitive data. Plus, cloud-based virtual desktops are easy to rapidly install outside a quarantined area.
Worried about securing those remote connections? Another option is a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN connects computers, smartphones, or tablets through a shared or public network as if connecting to a private network. These encrypted connections to the company network secure data and protect employees’ activities.
Mobile Work Helps Every Day
You can hope that your employees stay healthy and your business remains unaffected, but why take that risk? Empowering remote work benefits business, even without the threat of a fatal flu.
Remote teams enjoy greater work-life balance. The workers spend less time commuting and are more productive. Empowered, they also feel trusted and more engaged.
Meanwhile, business can save money on physical space and hardware investments, the hiring pool of qualified personnel expands with remote work, and the business can offer its services more globally and flexibly. All of this is true even after the threat of coronavirus becomes an afterthought for your business and the world at large.
Forward looking businesses today have or are formulating effective remote workforce strategies. Is your business one of them? Should it be? If you'd like to learn more, click the button below.