It’s the 21st century, which means it’s not uncommon for organizations to have some workers in the office and others telecommuting from various locations. In fact, according to a Global Workplace Analytics report, the number of telecommuting workers has increased 115 percent in the last decade.

Taming a remote workforce is a whole different beast. It requires extra care and attention to keep communication, collaboration and processes under control. It’s a daunting task. But fortunately, an IT managed services provider can help.

Here are 5 managed services for your remote workforce:

  1. VoIP Phone Systems

One of the best remote workforce tools is VoIP. That is because voice over IP phone systems operate over high-speed wireless connections, so it can be accessed from anywhere. Not to mention, you gain valuable features like the ability to enable video calls and dial in for conferences and quickly add new numbers or extensions.

Best of all, it doesn’t break the bank! Many companies are making the switch to VoIP because it saves small businesses an average of 40 percent on their total phone bill, while larger businesses see an average of 50 to 75 percent savings after making the switch.

  1. Managed Security

A secure end-to-end solution is a necessity with such a widespread infrastructure. And this may be the greatest challenge for a remote workforce: how to keep your business-critical data and applications secure when accessed outside the safety of the office. Installing network security provisions and setting up alerts for when problems occur is a good start.

More than half of workers in the US are developing BYOD programs. Oftentimes, BYOD (bring your own device) leaves holes in your security, so some companies have gone one step further. A VPN (virtual private network) is among the safest options for your remote workforce, while you might also want to consider trying out the best cloud computing solutions for a full list of secure productivity tools.

  1. The Cloud

Workers must be able to easily access information when they need it. Without this, your productivity slips, as even the simplest task is made frustrating and complicated.

Cloud hosted applications like Office 365 connect all employees across great distances. Not only do they have the same tools to keep things standard, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype, and Lync, they also have one platform to exchange information and secure files in an easy-to-access location.

In addition, many organizations are switching to cloud-hosted applications and storage options to unleash more processing power and speed up everyday business.

  1. Data Backup and Recovery

What’s the scariest part about a remote workforce? Big time loss – losing files, data, processes and entire systems to the elements, human and computer errors. When disaster strikes, you need a backup plan, and without it, most businesses sink under the pressure.

Therefore, all remote workforces need a data backup and recovery plan. When employees who are all over the place and left to their own devices exchange, store and access critical files every day, you have an entire business in your data stores to lose. A backup plan is your friend.

  1. Remote Managed Services

With managed services, it’s as if you already had your own IT department. And not just your average IT department – a whole team of IT experts with years of collective, real-world experience in solving the toughest problems and keeping up with equipment provisioning. They do all the maintenance, monitoring, securing and backing up for your business’s precious data-stores, while you sit back and watch how smoothly things work.

Many companies choose to employ a remote managed services provider because it means there’s always someone to call when technology goes wrong. And this proactive approach leads to savings on break-fix models in the long run.

What solutions does your organization need to succeed with a remote workforce?

Our business specializes in managed services for your remote workforce. Contact us today, and let’s talk about the best IT tools for you.