Remote working setups will cause an impact on technology solutions for end-user computing in different ways and may require considerable investments in new or upgraded systems. Businesses are now focusing on optimally industrializing remote working for every employee where flexibility and mobility are critical. When it comes to the new normal, workplaces will now include hundreds and even thousands of home offices, all of which must be equipped, supported, and secured with end-user computing services.
What is an end-user?
In the strictest sense, end-user computing refers to computer systems and platforms that aid nonprogrammers design and engineer applications. However, there is more to end-user computing services and their related technology, virtual desktop infrastructure. In essence, VDI hosts desktop setups on central servers. It is considered a form of virtualization for desktops.
Critical to the success of a EUC or VDI effort is bringing the components of the platform to users and managers without requiring system expertise. It allows a more streamlined introduction of new technologies to end-users. Since there is a wide range of roles and responsibilities, any platform that is utilized should be intuitive, scalable, and manageable. These critical components mitigate the level of expertise required to keep up with the shifting digital workplace. What is essential is that a well-designed EUC or VDI strategy can allow users to access digital environments, and they need to be productive on-premises and to work remotely on the cloud.
End-user devices
A majority of employees will need to be provisioned with new or upgraded devices to meet work from home challenges. For example, upgrades or refreshes to older devices may be required to enable the hardening of devices to mitigate vulnerability to virus attacks and provide data security. A hardened network environment within an office is able to utilize these dated devices to leverage additional resources to do tasks rather than protect. A majority of these devices may be incapable of traditional hardening required on public Internet connections.
Not about cost
VDI and other virtualization capabilities are some options that business owners may want to explore. It helps separate processing and data from remote working tasks. However, experts believe that switching to virtual capabilities has never been about cost and remains complicated, particularly when users are leveraging customized applications. Compared to process workers, knowledge workers are typically more difficult to transition to VDI.
Network connectivity
Companies have scaled their existing network solutions with architectural redesigns that are limited to meet demands in the short term. However, the solutions may not be affordable and secure long-term plans. Experts believe that if there is a critical operating relationship between network and data resources, there will not likely be steps on a redesign until there is an optimal understanding of a business or IT support strategy.
Security
Security solutions for remotely working will be crucial in protecting companies against the challenges of security breaches that could make them vulnerable to liability for unauthorized access to personal data or result in theft of sensitive business information as well as intellectual property.
Experts believe that the diversity and capacity of a company’s end-user devices must be considered in the assessment process and that varying solutions need to exist to enable secure and safe management of gadgets and devices no matter the platform. Other critical parts of security and device management strategies must be a steady improvement in the following:
- Workspace as a service that includes the delivery of virtual desktop applications to mobile devices.
- Centralized communication and operation, which include the integration of messaging, voice, as well as videoconferencing.
- Omnichannel user support, which includes call, chat, emails, as well as virtual agent care support.
Collaborative tools
Since the majority of people have experienced lockdowns, there has been a huge increase in the utilization of videoconferencing and collaborative tools such as Zoom and MS teams. Experts observe that due to the pervasiveness of these Microsoft tools, there will be more adoption of office 365, which is unavoidable.
If collaboration and communication tools were made available for free on a short-term contract and provide companies with temporary access to these Microsoft applications, they are now required to address licensing agreements as well as how they must scale and secure applications across their team. Asset management procedures and systems should be utilized to manage these licensing and subscription control costs.
Conclusion
Since employers are looking to mitigate their real estate footprint and they want to target health and safety concerns and give employees optimal flexibility in the aftermath of COVID 19, industries across the board are likely to see a significant and sustained increase in remote working conditions.
This increase will have a critical impact on end-user computing solutions and services and may require wide-ranging modifications to existing agreements in outsourcing. Experienced advisors can help assist companies in addressing this impact and evaluate negotiating, document changes to outsourcing agreements to justify remote working arrangements.
