https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501 Application
    • 2020 MSP 501 Rankings
    • 2020 Hot 101 Rankings
    • 2020 MSP 501 Report
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • COVID-19 Partner Help
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • EMEA
  • Awards
    • Back
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
  • Channel Mentor
    • Back
    • Channel Market Intelligence
    • Channel Educational Series
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

From the Industry


Getty Images

Sponsor Content

remote first

A Remote-First Approach Helps Meet Employees Where They Are

  • Written by Comcast Guest Blogger
  • September 21, 2020
‘Remote first” allows organizations to put processes, tools and systems in place that allow for quick collaboration.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been widespread regardless of business size or type. For many businesses, the dispersed workforce caused by social distancing restrictions has created the need to do things differently and reach customers in new ways. Business models that were previously successful just won’t work anymore because of the need for employees and customers to stay at a safe distance. Today, there is a need for a remote first approach.

The disruptions in physical locations necessitated new ways of operating–making the move from physical business to digital business, from on-premise service to pick-up or house calls, and from in-person interactions to digital ordering and fulfillment. When COVID-19 hit, business leaders were forced to immediately reimagine their operating models in a way that would allow them to stay viable and available with a remote workforce, as well as find new ways to reach customers and deliver products and services. These changes are likely to stick around for a while.

For many organizations, all of this has meant opting for a remote first model for employees and customer interactions. A remote first setup allows organizations to put processes, tools and systems in place that allow for quick collaboration and mobilization of their workforces, rapid response to customer needs, and the agility to monitor the performance of these newly stood up systems–from anywhere. This post will focus on the importance of remote first when it comes to employee interactions. Next month we will focus on customer interactions.

Connecting Employees to Each Other

Whether your organization is still fully remote or you are working with a hybrid model with some employees on-site while others remain at home, it’s imperative to keep employees connected to their systems and applications as well as each other.

Adopting unified communications tools allows teams to connect and collaborate with screen sharing, file sharing, IM, call forwarding to a mobile number, and audio and video conferencing. For many that are working from home, bandwidth is an ongoing challenge, with other family members or housemates competing for connectivity. To help with this, employees can reconfigure their home WiFi to help prioritize device applications, but it is not likely the best option for most. To establish a dedicated, enterprise-grade WiFi connection, another option is Comcast Business at Home.

Connecting Employees to Their Data

The paradigm for an organization’s data has also changed. Traditionally, data was confined to one place–typically on premises, at the HQ office. When COVID-19 hit, the data was still there, but everyone was outside. To access the data, organizations needed a way for employees to securely connect via private encrypted or VPN connections. Pre-COVID-19, these connections were likely set up to allow access to a limited number of employees–most definitely not the entire workforce.

To address this potential bottleneck of traffic trying to log in to an HQ’s VPN and improve performance, organizations can use a SD WAN solution that provides the ability to respond to significant swings in inside and outside traffic patterns. This network agility enables increased employee productivity, improved customer experience and automated network management.

Limited access to office spaces also includes IT managers who are more than likely also working from home. A remote first model shift includes rethinking how they manage and monitor their network from afar. Using a platform like ActiveCore allows centralized network control via software applications. Having virtual network functionality can automate many network functions, speed up application deployment and simplify resource management.

Strategic implementation of a remote first system can help organizations navigate new work environments and manage changing customer expectations amid the pandemic and beyond.

This guest blog is part of a Channel Futures sponsorship.

Tags: Digital Service Providers Digital Transformation From the Industry Intelligence Mobility Networking Comcast Sponsor Content

Related


  • Roaring 20s
    The “Roaring 20s” Are Coming
    2020 was a significant challenge, but the roaring 20s will come—thanks, in no small part, to partners.
  • Business resilience
    The Increasing Importance of Business Resilience and Network Agility
    The tremendous business resilience organizations showed in the face of the pandemic will be key to moving forward.
  • Cyber security
    Cyber Security as Competitive Advantage
    Here are some cyber security best practices that will help you stand out from the crowd.
  • covid-19 hand pointing security
    COVID-19 Has Caused Big Changes in Customer Support
    One of the biggest changes caused by COVID-19 has been the way people work—including the way they work at supporting customers.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Galleries

View all

International Women’s Day & Tech: Move Beyond the Conversation

March 8, 2021

Industry Perspectives

View all

What is FirstNet–and What Are the Benefits for Channel Partners?

March 8, 2021

5 Ways XDR Can Improve Operational Efficiency for MSPs

March 4, 2021

Multi-Cloud: Strategy or Inevitable Outcome? (or both?)

March 3, 2021

Webinars

View all

A Partner’s Perspective on Channel Success in 2021

March 23, 2021

XDR and Why it Matters to MSPs

March 24, 2021

Top Security Trends Impacting Technology Security Providers In 2021

March 25, 2021
  • 1

White Papers

View all

Why Fortinet for my MSSP?

March 2, 2021

Small and Mid-Size Business Security: 4 Steps to Success

March 2, 2021

How SMBs Can Secure Endpoints and Remote Workers for the Long Haul

March 2, 2021

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

November 1, 2021 - November 4, 2021

Videos and Fastchats

View all

FASTCHAT: How SOAR Eliminates Security Challenges and Elevates Service Provider Revenues

January 6, 2021

Happy Holidays from Channel Partners & Channel Futures!

December 21, 2020

FASTCHAT: How Old, Unpatched Technologies Are Creating New Security Threats for MSPs and Their Customers

December 3, 2020

Twitter

ChannelFutures

We celebrate #InternationalWomensDay by highlighting the important conversations and key statistics. @channelsmart… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 9, 2021
ChannelFutures

A UK-based MSP got a lesson in grace when a post intended as a joke was mistaken for online bullying.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 9, 2021
ChannelFutures

Learn more about #FirstNet and partnering with @GetWirelessLLC. #LTE #firstresponders #connectivity #IoT… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

Have you heard? @McAfee is selling its enterprise security business. And 75-year-old founder #JohnMcAfee faces deca… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

Today we celebrate the achievements of women worldwide, and we are proud to give the rockstar women in the channel… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

The list of #Accellion FTA breach victims keeps growing. Another bank joined the list over the weekend.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

Happy #InternationalWomensDay! The Channel Futures / @Channel_Online team is proud to support @AllianceofCW and… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021
ChannelFutures

#MSPs can help businesses deal with #cloudcomputing and #cybersecurity pain points, says @Dreamix_Ltd.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

March 8, 2021

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2021 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X