Taking the Workforce Remote

Having the freedom to work from home, or anywhere really, is a dream for a lot of people. This is even more of a necessity with the recent outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), where government leaders have urged people to not gather in large numbers and to be extra cautions.  This has led to many questions of businesses running without people being in the physical office. We can assure you that it is possible and relatively easy to do. You might even fall in love with the flexibility. Here are a few ways to do it.

1. Use Remote Desktop Technology

Remote desktop technology has come a long way in recent years. It is accessible to almost everyone on the planet. If you aren’t familiar, remote desktop allows you to control another computer from a laptop or desktop at home without being in front of it. It’s a bit freaky at first, but it is quite useful. This means you can get to all your programs and files that you have on your computer in the office, without leaving the comfort of your home or coffee shop. There are some drawbacks, however. Your work computer must be on and connected to the internet to connect. Also, someone else cannot use your computer while you are using it. A few programs we use are ConnectWise Control, Splashtop, Chrome Remote Desktop and TeamViewer, to mention a few. I would consult with your IT department if you have more questions or to show you how to set it up.

2. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

VPN (Virtual Private Network) is just a fancy term for connecting to your office network without being there. The difference between a VPN and Remote Desktop is that instead of connecting to your work computer, you connect your laptop or home computer to your office network. This allows you to get to all your office files, but it doesn’t directly connect to your computer. You will also have to install all the programs you use at work on your work laptop or your home computer. We highly recommend consulting with your IT for this as the setup if very complicated. But once it’s setup, you login with your work login and you can use your laptop or home computer just like you were in the office.

3. Cloud Computing

The best and most reliable setup would be Cloud computing. Cloud allows the most flexibility for you and your business. Think of it like having your work computer on the internet. You can login to your virtual computer on the internet no matter where you are anytime. Just like you can login to your email on your phone or your computer, you can have your entire computer on the internet instead. This means that every single device including your phone can be used! No more loud servers or large bulky desktops in the office. Cloud computing is built from the ground up to suit your needs, so reach out to your IT expert to learn more.

I hope this gave you a little insight on how you can be more flexible and be more productive from home, in a coffee shop, or a secluded spot that makes you relaxed and feel the happiest.