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Parsing the Future of Work: How Technology Will Enable Remote Employees

8 months ago

For a modern organization to be successful, it must transform into a digital workplace, with the ability to conduct business from anywhere, anytime, with anyone.

That means businesses must provide employees with technologies that allow them to stay connected to colleagues and customers while being productive, even while working remotely.

Business of all sizes can help ensure employees can work remotely without skipping a beat by augmenting these four common workplace technologies.

The Internet

This is the big one, because just as an office needs strong internet service to support in-house employees, remote employees will need excellent service as well, with enough bandwidth to handle streaming connections for tasks like video conferencing.

  • Consider supplying or supplementing remote employees’ home or office internet to ensure they have top speeds and can stay connected.
  • Add in reliable mobile service so employees can connect via their devices.
  • Identify safe and secure Wi-Fi hotspot options for on-the-go employees. Using hotspots is a great way for a business to cut down on data costs and save on overage charges. Businesses can also set up a virtual private network (VPN) that allows for a stable and secure connection.
  • Make sure employees understand how to keep their devices (and, by extension, the company’s network) safe by avoiding unsecured websites, using virus protection, and refraining from downloading unapproved apps and software on company devices. All employees — remote workers especially — must follow key cybersecurity guidelines. Tactics include:
  • Securing their work phone and computer
  • Installing a firewall
  • Downloading anti-virus and anti-malware software that is set to update automatically
  • Regularly backing up information

The Cloud

Employees need virtual access to the same information and tools they’d be able to access in a physical office. The solution here is the cloud, which hosts files, data and applications within a centralized server and makes them accessible from any device with connectivity. This means employees can work from anywhere on company-issued mobile devices, or their own devices.

Remember: Remote employees need virtual access to everything — not just a few applications or files. Businesses deploying a cloud strategy must provide employees with ways to share information, sync schedules, process important documents, and back everything up in real time — securely.

Comcast Business and many other technology providers offer cloud solutions apps and Software-as-a-Service (in which software lives in the cloud, not on an individual’s computer). To be successful with both cloud and remote work, determine what tools and applications employees need to do their jobs, and ensure that a cloud environment mimics the in-office experience.

The Phone

It’s easy to forget about the humble telephone, but it’s still a key business tool, both inside and outside an office.

Look for a flexible phone system in which employees can use one phone number that switches seamlessly from a desk phone to a mobile device, allowing them to stay connected from wherever they are. One option for a company with remote employees is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) solution, such as Comcast Business VoiceEdge, which offers benefits traditional wired systems don’t, like:

  • The ability to forward a number to multiple phones and reach employees whether they’re on their cell phone, a home landline, or an office phone.
  • Call management and routing, which acts as a virtual receptionist to answer calls and help callers connect to the right person. This includes the option to ring multiple employees in a department, one by one, until someone answers.
  • The ability for employees to check voicemail remotely; receive notifications on a mobile phone when their office line receives a call or voicemail; and use voicemail transcription, which lets employees read voice messages on a mobile phone.

Collaboration Tools

When all employees are in the same office, it’s easy to get together in a conference room or someone’s office to exchange ideas and present information — but when one employee, or everyone, is remote, getting together is not as simple. Collaboration platforms and unified communications systems are key for future workplaces.

For example, in addition to allowing participants to see each other as they speak, web conferencing systems offer tools to share slideshow presentations and documents, easily schedule or change meeting times, and record meetings and presentations for future viewing.

Another tool — group chat software — can make it seem like everyone is in the same room. They can also serve as a productivity tracker. Google or Microsoft Office both offer collaboration apps for chatting remotely and trading files.

As remote work becomes more common, it can introduce challenges when it comes to keeping employees connected, productive and engaged — but the right technologies make it a snap. Comcast Business is here to help.

Filed Under: Comcast Business

Public Safety Power Shutoff

An Xfinity technician examines a forest

Preparing for PSPS Events

Many of us are looking forward to a return to some form of normalcy as we work to rebuild and recover from the public health crisis. Californians are clever, resilient and optimistic people and we will find joy in every season no matter what happens.

While this year will probably feel very different, one thing that will, unfortunately, remain consistent is the threat of wildfires. June 1 was the official start of fire season and at Comcast we are working tirelessly to ensure we continue to serve our customers.

Concurrent with fire season, in many parts of California, we anticipate planned power outages – called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) – during this time, which runs from June through November. When gusty winds and dry conditions are forecasted, combined with a heightened fire risk, electricity providers pre-emptively turn off the power to protect the public.

Comcast’s Internet, TV and landline telephone services for homes and businesses require commercial power to operate. During a PSPS event, these Comcast services may stop functioning within hours after the commercial power is shut off. Mobile phone service may also be affected by a PSPS event.

Comcast understands this disruption to services is frustrating and has a major impact on people’s lives and businesses. The safety of our communities and employees is our utmost priority and Comcast takes care during PSPS events to ensure public safety.

Comcast also takes care during PSPS events to ensure we’re keeping our customers informed. We’ve sent a letter and an email to our customers with important information about how to keep informed during wildfire season.

You may also see public service announcements on your local news channel reminding you how these power outages may affect your services.

Here are a few things you can do now to be prepared:

  • Confirm your contact information at xfinity.com/myaccount—We will use this information to contact you if we expect a service disruption caused by a planned power outage. You can also use My Account to check if your service has been restored.
  • Comcast Business customers can check their My Account app or the Comcast Business Status Center to get information and valuable updates.
  • Download your favorite shows and movies for offline viewing—With the Xfinity Stream app, you can watch shows and movies offline in case you lose power.
  • Download the Xfinity Connect App to receive Xfinity Voice calls via your mobile phone—Xfinity Voice customers can make and receive calls with their Xfinity phone number using their mobile phone.
  • Visit the Comcast California Blog where we will post information, updates and answers to commonly asked questions. On the blog, we’ve launched a special PSPS web page where you can get additional information.
  • Follow us on Twitter — our handle is @ComcastCA and we regularly post valuable updates.

Even if power is off, Comcast’s team never stops working for you. From our family to yours, we hope you remain safe.

Comcast Business

PODCAST ALERT: How Technology has and will help Reopen and Transform the Hospitality Industry in California

2 weeks ago

According to Visit California, the state is expected to lose $78.8 billion in travel spending from the highest travel in 2019 and is not expected to go back to those levels until 2024. Hotels and restaurants are facing new challenges as they prepare to reopen, and health and safety measures are under the microscope like […]

Community Impact

A Look Back at 2020: Our Year in Review

3 weeks ago

Photo caption (Left to Right): Chinese New Year Parade in January 2020, Lift Zones announcement at Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County, a Comcast technician examines an area after it had been burned from a wildfire, Comcast Leaders & Achievers scholarship winner, Black Joy Parade attendees in February 2020, Comcast’s accessibility leader joins a virtual LightHouse for the Blind event.  Across the company and […]

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