Since a few decades ago, we have reduced usage of desk cubicles and individual offices. Although the way we are working has been changing, the pandemic added more fuel to it. The last year was a tough one for all the IT managers. Nobody had anticipated that drastic and sudden change. What would have been a steady five-year plan for digital transformation was expedited to "now".

As a result, the IT leaders have seen to be evolved a lot. Now they have been answering complex questions such as;

• How would information flow-through business applications and processes, even when the employees are working remotely?
   
• How can paper-based organizational information be digitally accessible to the staff working remotely?
   
• How can the information flowing through business processes and applications be accessed and handled securely from remote locations?
   

Moving towards such a drastic change can be complicated, especially when we are not familiar with such a working environment. However, IT infrastructure can be a helping hand if the right choices are made.

• Hybrid workers
   

In this hybrid working environment, sharing and collaborating with colleagues, managing tools and video conferencing with remote employees are all vital. Hybrid workers are more familiar with tech today than ever. Despite this simply providing the latest updated technology is not enough. Learning new tools and technology is more difficult when you are working outside the office without tech support. Keeping this in mind, employees should think twice about buying any new technology. While investing in tech support is necessary, they need to be sure of not making things complicated and having the opposite impact.

When it is possible, employees should consider using the existing technology and tools for hybrid employees.

• Invest in training
   

When introducing new technologies is vital, organizations should consider investing in pieces of training for the IT staff and the employees who will be utilizing the tools. Organizations should emphasize using communication tools and helpdesk hours for the employee who works more flexible hours. Installing system monitoring software to enable early detection of potential difficulties can be another great example of how to assist better to remote employees and decrease downtime spent waiting for help.

• Secure informational flow
   

Effective workflow and a secure structure are what every organization wants. But striking the right balance between accessibility and protection is vital to any kind of organization. Employees must be able to gain the access the documents they want, without stumbling across variable unnecessary documents. But that does not mean, easy access to workers should bring easy access to anyone, including intruders.

As we are entering this new hybrid –era, IT teams constantly find themselves stuck in the role of the "information Architect", who provides, the necessary tools and technologies to enable effectiveness and security in the organization.

Here, cloud-based systems work the best. That system helps employees to access information and documents smoothly from wherever they are and on the same hand, restricts users’ access on the server

• BYOD verses company issues computers
   

Establishing a hybrid working environment leads to the question of which device would they use for work purposes. Organizations have to decide whether to allow employees to bring their own devices or to use company issues devices. This decision is somehow difficult to make as there are compelling arguments for both the favors.

Let’s discuss some of them:

Cons of BYOD policies:

• Security: working on a personal device may lead to numerable security risks. Moreover, personal devices are outdated, poorly maintained, and even lack the necessary security checks and so much more. All those things may risk Company’s crucial security, which organizations cannot afford.
   
• Visibility: when companies start working with BYOD policies, visibility becomes one more threat to the organization, especially when there is no concerned  IT support.
   
• Compliance: achieving compliance without visibility and security is nearly impossible.
   

Pros of BYOD policies:

• Cost-effectiveness: No doubt, BYOD policies are cost-effective. When organizations enable employees to work from their own devices, it saves a lot of money, instead of asking them to use company-issued computers.
   
• Smooth workflow – employees find it easy and smooth to work on the devices that are familiar to them. It makes the workflow smoother and more effective.
   
• Efficient workflow: this is quite understandable; a person who uses Mac will be more comfortable and productive if he’s working on the same device, rather than a company-based window machine, and vice-versa.
   

We recommend organizations to use only Company –based systems as the cost of a single compliance violation and a security incident can exceed the cost savings connected with BYOD policies.

Conclusion

Even now, when the pandemic is easing, many businesses are still sticking with the hybrid work models. IT infrastructure has been vital throughout this evolution. Millions of workers now operate with the IT infrastructure allowing collaborations to keep the teams connected.

The mix of variable technologies, tools, and platforms especially in the home office environment is one of the most crucial challenges.

Organizations that employ hybrid working should consider an effective communication infrastructure for the employees working outside the office. The IT infrastructure might not be as efficient as those available in a corporate building.

Previously Published on:- https://articles.abilogic.com/575381/ultimate-guide-manage-systems-hybrid.html