The pandemic drastically changed how businesses operate. Transitioning back to the office will not be exactly as it was pre-pandemic. Around 86% of surveyed respondents stated that the pandemic would leave lasting impressions on the evolution of technology, both positive and negative.
Whether you’re a large or small business, updated IT infrastructure is essential to ensure your office transition runs smoothly and securely. In this article, we will discuss some IT infrastructure solutions to consider while employees move back to their office desks.
Transitioning into the Office Requires Restructuring Your Existing IT Infrastructure
As businesses gear up for the post-pandemic return to the office, IT infrastructure solutions must reflect the new reality of the workplace. For instance, remote operations required businesses to quickly transition to virtual infrastructure, and IT staff have had to adjust to a new remote IT support system.
Now that employees are returning, IT teams must examine the existing IT infrastructure and make any necessary changes for the office to be ready for a post-pandemic work environment. This includes updating security protocols, software, hardware, support systems, and any other IT infrastructure components.
1. Conduct an IT Infrastructure and Inventory Assessment Before Returning to the Office
Before you start making changes to your IT infrastructure solutions, assess what inventory you currently have in place. IT teams should review policies, programs, IT costs, hardware and software inventory, and other relevant components. Teams should look for any gaps in coverage, evaluate IT performance and uptime, and identify any potential infrastructure weaknesses that need to be addressed.
This assessment will help you determine what changes are necessary to make sure your IT infrastructure is ready for returning to the office. Additionally, part of an inventory assessment includes employees turning in office equipment they used while working remotely, such as laptops, web cameras, headphones, and other equipment.
2. Update Security Protocols for Stronger Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a vital IT infrastructure solution. According to Statista, there has been a 55% increase in data exfiltration and leakage following the pandemic. Cybercriminals have intensified their efforts to exploit IT infrastructure vulnerabilities; therefore, IT teams must remain vigilant in updating IT security protocols.
Businesses should start by assessing their IT systems and networks for any potential weaknesses. IT teams should also apply the latest cybersecurity patches and updates to protect against malware and other cyber threats. They can also implement a zero-trust model of security, which focuses on user authentication and authorization.
3. Upgrade Software and Hardware to Enhance IT Performance
Your IT department should also assess the IT infrastructure inventory for any obsolete software and hardware. They should upgrade outdated components to ensure IT performance & uptime remain consistent. This includes updating server operating systems, anti-malware protection software, desktop applications, network devices, cloud storage solutions, and more.
Upgrading IT infrastructure solutions is just as important as implementing security protocols. Your IT department should also consider using IT automation to manage operations and services more efficiently. IT automation can help reduce IT costs by streamlining IT processes, improving operational efficiency, and increasing customer satisfaction.
4. Implement Effective IT Support Systems for Remote Work
Moving back into the office may require waves or staggered shifts to ensure a smooth transition. Or if you’re allowing your employees to continue to work remotely, you need IT solutions that will enable them to access the IT infrastructure solutions from outside the office. However, make sure that you have the right IT solutions in place to ensure secure remote access, such as an MFA and a VPN.
Employees who are still working remotely need access to IT help desk services to report technical issues, receive guidance on IT processes, and troubleshoot any IT problems they may encounter. IT teams may also provide support training and resources to employees so they can be better equipped to handle IT-related issues.
5. Utilize Cloud Computing Solutions
Cloud computing solutions can help businesses reduce costs, improve performance, help remote employees, and increase data security. Cloud computing allows users to store and access data remotely, meaning IT teams no longer have to maintain IT infrastructure solutions on-premise.
Businesses can utilize cloud computing solutions to manage IT resources, store and process data, and even automate IT processes more efficiently. The scalability of cloud computing allows businesses to expand their IT capabilities with minimal effort and cost.
By utilizing cloud computing solutions when returning to the office, IT teams can easily and quickly adjust IT resources to meet the changing needs of their organization.
Proactively Prepare Your Business for Returning to the Office with adrytech
Transitioning back into the office requires overwhelming IT effort and resources. At adrytech, we make it easier for businesses to transition without any added stress. Our tools and services have been designed with convenience in mind—allowing you to continue your operations worry-free!
Our IT experts are here to help your team prepare IT infrastructure solutions including implementing security protocols, upgrading software and hardware, establishing IT support systems for remote work, and utilizing cloud computing solutions.
With adrytech, you can be confident that your business will have all of the necessary tools and resources in place for an organized re-entry. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you experience a seamless transition.
