The flexible, scalable nature of the cloud has enabled businesses to implement new practices and workflows for more efficient work.
Is your organisation supporting hybrid work? Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the business world has come to embrace the idea that employees can work just as effectively outside of the office as they do in it. In fact, the flexibility that hybrid working offers can empower everyone to work in exactly the way that they find most productive.
The trick to successful hybrid working is ensuring that users are equipped and connected no matter where they are. Cloud computing, which has already changed the business world in so many ways, was a key technology in achieving that interconnectedness with hybrid work. We discussed this with TechQuarters, a London-based provider of small business IT support London companies have been using for over a decade – in the last few years, however, much of their work has been directed at helping remote and hybrid clients adapt their infrastructure to these new modes of working. As a cloud-first organisation themselves, we asked them about the ways in which the technology supports hybrid working – below are six of the key benefits it brings…
- Cyber Resilience
Unlike a conventional office-only workplace, where all corporate data is contained neatly within the premises of the business, hybrid work sees users connecting to company networks, and accessing company data from multiple locations and endpoints. This may seem like a disadvantage of hybrid working; however, it is not a glaring issue when a business relies on cloud infrastructure. Cloud security is much more likely to exceed on-premise security nowadays, thanks in part to public cloud infrastructure being more able to keep up with the latest security standards, when compared with a smaller business with smaller IT budgets. As the cloud is centralised, it becomes much easier for companies to manage security across all locations and endpoints.
- Workflow Efficiencies
According to TechQuarters, who in addition to their work providing business IT support London companies use, are also Microsoft Solutions Partners, and have equipped clients with cloud-based business solutions for many years. According to them, the cloud allows businesses to provide many more tools and services to aid their employees in their world. With applications and data made accessible on desktop, mobile, and the web thanks to the cloud, workers can craft more efficient workflows for themselves. Furthermore, modern and next-gen collaborative tools are being built natively in the cloud, meaning that businesses can continue to investigate new ways to support their workforce.
- Flexible Working
If there was one positive thing to come of the COVID-19 pandemic for businesses, it was the realisation that working from home can increase productivity for certain individuals. While it is true many professionals are glad to be able to return to the office, where they are decidedly more productive, the flexibility of the hybrid model means both types of workers can work their own way. The flexibility of hybrid working has other benefits – such as making it more viable for individuals to travel for (or despite) work.
- Scalability
Hybrid working has a significant benefit for businesses, which is that it means that they are no longer bound by location when it comes to hiring talent. With the workplace already equipped to connect remote workers to their colleagues in the office, an organisation can look further afield to grow their talent pool. Furthermore, the cloud can help businesses optimise costs and generate value with new services – potentially allowing them to grow the business more rapidly. This highlights another benefit of the cloud, which is how easy it is to scale services up in response to demand. Furthermore, according to TechQuarters, who have provided IT support for legal firms, and many other types of organisation that experience fluctuations in their workforce, the scalability of cloud computing allows organisations to pivot more easily in response to fluctuations in demand.
