Strategies for Working Remotely in the World of Technology
TechsPlace | The truth is Working Remotely is ideal for many reasons under normal circumstances, and it’s even more attractive today. If you haven’t made the switch, it’s time to learn about this fascinating and practical corner of the IT world.
Working remotely, you will inevitably become your first line of support, and thus you must understand the technology you’ll use. That said, even non-tech professionals should learn some best practices for Working Remotely, as technology continues to transform today’s work.
There will be disruptions to quell, a greater need for collaboration, and new skills to learn. Read on to discover eight useful strategies for better navigating the remote side of the world of technology.
1. Get the right gear and take care of it
First, you’ll need the proper hardware – do you have a functioning iPad, laptop, or home computer? Smartphones won’t work, unfortunately, unlike iPads: iPads are bigger, better, and even compatible with keyboard attachments for added work convenience.
Once you have the right gear, you must then keep your gear in proper working order. The best troubleshooting strategy is to avoid trouble altogether – so be on the lookout for certain scenarios and work preventively.
Don’t share work devices with your family to avoid unintentional issues; if you must, create separate user profiles for them. Additionally, install updates, restart regularly, clear caches, and uninstall unused programs. You can also activate the battery-saver mode and turn down the screen brightness to save power.
2. Establish remote access
Once you have the hardware, obtain the software to establish remote access to your office. There are multiple software solutions to consider, from third-party systems to clouds.
Some systems, like Citrix, allow remote connectivity to office servers, while others, like LogMeIn, allow remote access to office desktops. Conversely, larger firms often use cloud-based software providers, which store company information off-site, virtually – so check out all your options!
But just because you have remote access established, it doesn’t mean your important files are secured forever. Make sure to create regular backups of all your remote files – don’t be caught unprepared when files are corrupted.
3. Have the best internet connectivity possible
At one point, the only way to obtain a stable internet connection at home was through a wired connection. But fewer people have this setup today; and even for those who do, there are additional factors to consider.
With a direct connection, you may run into bandwidth issues, especially with multiple people in your household using it. Talk to them about cutting down on video calls or streaming for when you’re working.
If you lack direct connectivity, use hardware with built-in connectivity like iPads which offer Wi-Fi-based connection or Wi-Fi plus data. Data’s key when there’s no Wi-Fi – so use your smartphone to create a hotspot if necessary, though this can get expensive.
4. Have strong security and practice security-mindedness
Security-mindedness is critical in remote tech industry work. Use software like Dashlane to automatically and safely recall passwords for each website and synchronize all devices with password updates.
Furthermore, utilize multi-factor authentication on any app when possible, don’t click links within emails, and separate personal and private traffic. Log off all corporate apps and networks when the workday’s over to protect against hackers, as idle apps aren’t secured.
Finally, use virtual private networks (VPNs) in public settings to encase communication so no outsiders can access its contents. Additionally, only log on to sites with URLs prefaced with “HTTPS” – especially if you can’t ensure a secure connection.
5. Prepare for video communication
Video communication is thriving and for good reason. Find what method works best for you and your colleagues and learn how to establish the best video connection.
Zoom is the most popular example of real-time video connectivity – call one person or 1,000 people at once. Or simply use FaceTime for basic video-conferencing; either way, seeing people face-to-face is key to sanity and more effective communication.
Additionally, restart your computer before videoconferences: some solutions like Zoom and Google Hangouts prevent each other from working properly otherwise. And upgrade your sound by using a conferencing speakerphone; your camera’s mic doesn’t cancel background noises – but these speakerphones do.
6. Help yourself and know when to ask for help
If you struggle with typing and lack support staff, check out speech-recognition software for some extra help. For example, Dragon translates speech into the typewritten text one word at a time: prepare your work, proofread, cleanup, then send.
Next, improve your search skills: the more you can self-serve, the more you can solve tech issues by yourself. Keep in mind that it’s often quicker to reboot than to troubleshoot – especially for routers, firewalls, apps, and even computers.
But everyone needs assistance sometimes, so know who to turn to for help before trouble arises to save time. They will thank you, and you will thank you.
7. Stay focused and connected
Stay focused by eliminating the very distracting experience of being bombarded by notifications whenever you first log in. Use apps like Freedom and FocusMe to block websites temporarily so you can stay focused on the task at hand.
Collaborate in a single online version of a document instead of emailing said doc to multiple people. Plus, collaborate on video solutions like Intel Unite: wirelessly connect your displays and save work automatically in the cloud.
8. Keep e-Learning
There are now even more opportunities for advancing your tech career via digital courses and online educational content. The industry is expected to grow to a $325 billion industry by 2025 according to Global Industry Analysts.
It’s especially helpful for remote workers who are not onsite to be educated at the physical workspace. Take the initiative to learn more with timely course content, easy-to-use learning management systems, and ongoing technical support.
Working Remotely in the booming tech industry!
There’s no other industry that can so easily pass or fail when remotely utilized. Thankfully, by being aware of the tech you employ, you’ll give yourself the best Working Remotely experience possible.
By following these simple eight strategies, you will better navigate the complex world of information technology. Good luck, have fun, and get to work!
This article is contributed by guest author on techsplace.com.
