Remote Working–It’s a changing landscape.

Remote working has always been on the agenda of many since the advent of laptops, getting access to corporate data was always a challenge and bind that with HR, Security and results based management you always had issues in aiding this move despite the obvious well documented evidence that it works!

The remote workforce has grown quickly over the past decade, but the economic issues have had an impact.  The U.S. teleworking population in 2010 was estimated at 26.2 million — nearly 20% of the U.S. adult working population.

Remote working is one aspect of workplace flexibility. Employers are finding that telework and other flexible work arrangements are effective tools in attracting younger employees who appreciate greater flexibility and to recruit remote workers from a wider talent pool.

Ten years ago, people might have been surprised if you told them you worked from home. Today they’re more likely to be surprised if you don’t have some kind of flexible working arrangement that means you can. 

As remote working becomes more the norm, the number of people who enjoy the ability to work from home occasionally has also increased. This may be on a formal basis in which the employee can work from home a set number of days a week basis, on an ad hoc basis when there’s a childcare issue or a practical need to be at home, or on a crisis basis.

Equanet over the last 6-8 weeks have seen a large number of client engagements for remote working due to Business Continuity to protect their productivity and employees from harsh winters and recent medical pandemic.  Getting employees used to working from home can benefit a company should disaster strike. 

Most modern companies have relaxed into accepting remote workers and trusting them to be productive.  The image of the remote workers having daytime TV on in the background is no longer upheld by many, perhaps because as more people experience remote working themselves they see the benefits (no commute, a distraction-free environment, less office politics to name but a few).

With the emergence of tablet technology, faster mobile networks and better security the ability to keep in touch and work when away from the office has become a policy issue.  If you need help in developing your remote working strategy or implement the right technology you should really contact us to find out how we can get a faster time to value for you.

Your Best Cloud…

Having completed Equanet’s VDI, Cloud and Consumerisation event this week with support from Citrix and Microsoft I thought I would ask you what your best cloud is?  Private, Public or Hybrid?  The answer has to be none of the above.  Too many people get hung up on the idea of positioning a cloud solution without doing their homework and we firmly believe the best cloud is Your Cloud; based upon your needs, legislation and technical readiness.  All too often we are told that Hybrid cloud is the best cloud – why?

You can't blame those for recommending this strategy. Hybrid clouds can leverage both private and public clouds and dynamically choose where processes and data should reside.

The problem comes when enterprises rely too much on vendor marketing and not enough on their own architectural requirements.  Businesses typically realise the limitations too late in the process normally due to a lack of transparency.

Staff involved with these projects get caught up in the hype, feel pressured to get a cloud solution up and running, and hit issues they don't see until it's too late.

Equanet believe that there is an easy resolution to this, it is doing the same that you have for your data centre projects over the past few years without the cloud tag.  Firstly you need to undertake a root and branch assessment of the core requirements to define the right cloud approach for you.  In many cases the complexity of a hybrid cloud can overshadow the cost benefit of cloud in the first place and a straight forward public or private cloud solution is best for business.

Remember there is no silver bullet: Cloud computing requires that you make some compromises.   Just understand them before committing.  Have a cloud strategy in place and understand what is in and what isn’t.  Alternatively talk to us at Equanet to see how we can help you.