As the world begins to re-open from Covid-19 closures, we are all left figuring out how to navigate this “new normal.” Some people are returning to fully-staffed office environments. Many are working with partial teams or in shifts due to on-site occupancy reductions. And others are still working from home for businesses choosing to remain remote.
Having flexibility with your staff is great. But if you don’t have the right IT, continuing to effectively run your business with staff and/or customers working remotely may not be sustainable. Chateaux can prepare you for the future with IT best practices that enable you to run your business successfully, whether your employees are working in the office or at home.
Here are five IT solutions that we think are most important to help your business navigate the “new normal” right now:
1. Cloud computing
Cloud computing is arguably the most important solution you need right now. Most businesses would not have been able to continue operating amidst the pandemic without utilizing cloud services. Cloud computing facilitates the access to data and applications from any location using any device that has an internet connection. This means that employees can connect to IT systems from anywhere, at any time—even from their own personal device, if necessary. Working in this way is essential if you’d like to operate your business with employees working from home.
For more information on why your business needs the cloud, take a look at our blog 7 reasons you need cloud services.
2. Microsoft 365
Used by over a million companies worldwide, Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based software suite that combines the familiar Office applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook with next-generation productivity-based tools such as Teams, Planner, Yammer, SharePoint, and OneNote.
These applications are designed to enhance collaboration, productivity and communication. Alongside them, Microsoft 365 also incorporates enterprise-grade security to secure devices, keep customer data safe, and defend against cyberthreats.
Some of the key benefits of using Microsoft 365 for your business include centralized collaboration, predictable spend (costing is per user, per month), ability to access files anywhere, and automatic software upgrades, meaning you always know you are using the latest version.
Use case includes MS 365 implementation for universities to save operation expenses and free up internal IT teams to more important projects.
3. Video Conferencing
Video conferencing has been the IT hero of the pandemic for many. Enabling teams worldwide to stay connected, events to become virtual, and a friendly face to break up what can sometimes be a lonely day working from home. For this one, we love Microsoft Teams, and if you’ve checked Microsoft 365 off the list, then you get this included for free!
Microsoft Teams is the ultimate collaborative communication tool. Not only can you host a virtual meeting with up to 250 attendees, the application also allows real-time collaboration on documents, an instant chat feature, as well as the ability to integrate other apps such as Mail Chimp, YouTube, and web pages into your projects. With a few clicks, you can video call a colleague, share your screen, or even record your meeting for future reference. These capabilities enable employees to work together on projects effectively whether they are sitting in the same room or are hundreds of miles apart.
Use case includes utilizing Teams to collaborate with our international team at Chateaux as well as interacting securely with our clients.
4. API Integrations – eSignatures
API Integration provides a seamless connection between a wealth of cloud-apps, on-premise software, and your data. With the need for digitized services and mobile apps rising, so is the dependency on well-executed API integrations. Integrations have always been a part of Chateaux’s service offerings and our rich history in this space enables us to confidently guide our clients to understand which providers will be best for their business needs.
An API integration that is particularly important right now is an eSignature solution. Integrating an eSignature solution such as DocuSign or Hello Sign into your applications allows you to sign contracts and enter into binding agreements with parties across the globe from your own device. From saving time, physical resources, and money, to enhancing security, they have revolutionized the way agreements are able to be made.
For more information and further examples of API integrations take a look at our service page.
5. eCommerce
With retail stores having to temporarily close and many people still feeling uneasy about going shopping, eCommerce ability has become more important than ever for many businesses.
Having an eCommerce website allows you to expand your brand from only being known for a brick and mortar store, to having an online presence with your products and/or services being available 24 hours a day. You even have the option to offer online customer service and integrate your social media channels to your site. Selling your products online also allows you to tap into the power of customer analytics, from demographic data to products purchased, this information can help you refine product lines, influence your marketing campaigns, and make informed and strategic business decisions. At Chateaux, we have vast experience in creating eCommerce websites, and we make sure each one that we create provides end-users an effortless and fulfilling experience that attracts them again and again.
Visit our eCommerce service page to find out more.
This is just a taster of what these solutions could do for your business. At Chateaux, we pride ourselves on ensuring all of our clients maximize their IT investment by offering training to all clients and their teams. If you have any questions about the solutions discussed in this blog or would like to more, please reach out to us at [email protected].
