Small business owners have had their hands full since the onset of the pandemic. Early 2020 saw nearly a quarter of active businesses disappear. And three-quarters of the businesses that survived reported that they would require government assistance to stay afloat. In other words: the research showed clear and long-lasting economic effects for virtually every small business owner in the United States. Today, even as the economy recovers, these effects are being felt.
Cloud infrastructure demands are still exploding as owners look for better cybersecurity, lower costs and easier access for teams that are still working remotely. It has become imperative that leaders identify optimal workflow, data protection and engagement tools to build a reliable business-continuity plan (BCP). Below we outline 4 things small business owners can do right now to get out the other side of the pandemic successfully with the help of ClearONE Inclusive Managed IT Services from ClearFuze.
Time to Move to the Cloud
One of the best ways to “future-proof” any small business is to push for digitization and adoption of cloud services. It’s likely that some, but not all, of a typical business’s data already exists on the cloud thanks to cloud-based email and other applications. Switching to the cloud is more budget-friendly and removes the need to host and maintain proprietary infrastructure. It also can improve the management of security, the licensing and patching of software, etc.
Tighten Cybersecurity Measures
Speaking of security—the basics no longer cut it. Pre-pandemic antivirus and anti-malware efforts must now be matched by sufficient endpoint detection and response (with active monitoring by the experts), cloud-based authentication and profile management, domain name system (DNS) filtering, and advanced phishing and email protection. The ClearONE solution covers each of these elements thoroughly and provides active monitoring with alerts.
Improve VoIP and Other Phone Solutions
Companies that integrate their phone and conferencing tools see better connectivity (and productivity) for workers spread apart by geography. Advanced capabilities are available through many top providers. But here at ClearFuze we’ve turned ourselves into a phone service provider in order to effectively customize VoIP systems for our clients. We can connect calls securely through cell phones and other endpoints so that you can connect perfectly from anywhere.
Prep the Office For Your Return
Remote workers must be able to safely connect with each other. Business leaders are also concerned about maintaining company culture; tools such as Namely and 15Five can increase engagement even when employees are spread miles (or countries) apart. If staffers are coming back to a shared office space, changes will also be required. Desks and workstations are spreading apart—and that means a great deal of rewiring and re-cabling. IT staff can install systems such as temperature sensors with built-in alerts, and assist with sanitization efforts to ensure no one is coming back to the office just to get sick.
Prioritize Team Engagement
With so many people still out of the office, bringing teams together is a big challenge. And what about reinforcing company culture? Tools such as Namely, Lattice, and 15Five all help companies of any size engage with staff. Let us help you to implement the right software for your needs.
Do you need help identifying the IT solutions that will work best for you and your team? Schedule an introductory call with ClearFuze today.