Virtual workplaces are here to stay, and they will get a lot more common in the coming years. Whether you¡¯re an employee, a freelancer, or the head of your own business, having access to familiar work tools wherever you go is something we¡¯re all looking for. Now that your company is on the cloud, you have many new ways to work from anywhere. You need to know some things if you want to put your business on the cloud for a better work environment or even try cloud migration.
1) Get to know your cloud provider.
It can be hard to choose which one to go with, so start by sitting down and analyzing your needs. If you¡¯re unsure where to start, look into different providers like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Once you have an idea of what service you want, it¡¯s time to get started. Don¡¯t worry too much about the technical aspects; make sure that the provider has a good reputation and is reliable.
2) Decide how you want to work.
Before you even think about putting your business on the cloud, you need to decide how you want to work. Rather than just taking what¡¯s handed to you, it pays off a lot more to create a plan on how you want to work. This will help you determine whether or not the cloud is right for your business. The critical thing to remember with virtual workplaces is that it depends on how well your employees adapt. You can have all the tools in place and still fail if your employees aren¡¯t ok with this new way of working. The key is making sure that employees are comfortable in their new workplace before going live.
3) Make the switch to Office 365 or Google Apps for Business.
Office 365 and Google Apps for Business are the top 2 cloud-based solutions. They offer great features, such as document collaboration, centralized storage, and scheduling tools. To switch to these services, you may have to spend a little more upfront. But once you make the switch, your office will be more efficient and productive than ever before.
4) Choose a Virtual meeting service like Skype for Business.
Skype for Business is one of the most popular choices for a virtual meeting service. This is because it¡¯s easy to set up and uses familiar tools like the Skype app and the web interface. It has features like screen sharing, background noise cancellation, screen capture, and file transfer, which is ideal for business meetings. Another good option is GoToMeeting. This program offers a wide range of features that makes it great for meetings, especially those in which you¡¯re presenting or discussing something with your team. Features like whiteboard mode make this program ideal for brainstorming sessions or presentations with colleagues.
5) Playing by the rules of every workplace is essential.
When it comes to virtual workplaces, there are some rules you need to follow. For example, when you log off your computer or device and want to use a different one, you should disconnect from the VPN (a virtual private network) and other resources that could be used to access your company¡¯s system. You also need to shut down completely when not in use. If you want to put your business on the cloud for a better work environment and keep up with all of these rules, it¡¯s time to start preparing for that transition by following these easy tips and tricks.
