THE FUTURE OF
THE WORKSPACE
By Robert Hessel
need to complete. If your industry work
is graphics oriented, the computer you
use needs to have the display capabilities
and space to be able to handle larger
image files. If you need to run multiple
programs at once, your computer must
have the adequate amount of RAM or
random-access memory. Needless to say,
if you can bring your work computer
home with you it’s better, but that’s not
always a possibility. In instances where
there’s no laptop available for use, it’s not
logical to try and haul a desktop computer
home from your office. In those cases, your
computer needs to be equipped to handle
the breadth of work being conducted. An
alternative to this, is using your home
computer to establish a remote connection
to your computer at work. This allows
you to utilize the software on your work
computer without downloading it onto
your personal computer. This is especially
helpful if your home computer does not
have the sufficient amount of memory
or RAM required to run larger and more
intense software.
A fast internet connection is another
component of ensuring successful remote
work. If you find that your connection
is lagging, you can have your internet
provider switch you to a less congested
channel, or you can connect directly to
your modem. Using an ethernet RJ45
cord, you can connect from your modem
directly to your docking station or laptop.
108 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | MAY/JUNE 2020
This gives you a direct connection
and should reduce any lag you’re
experiencing. Another method for
speeding up your connection (albeit
unpopular) is to reduce the amount
of bandwidth being used. The
quickest way to do this is to avoid
using your internet connection for
anything other than work. In other
words, all binge-watching plans are
temporarily on hold and kids in the
home will have to resort to non-
WIFI activities.
Another aspect of preparing for
remote work is how you connect to
your company’s infrastructure or
network. Are you able to connect
securely? Is your connection reliable
and/or safe? Having a VPN connection
is fundamental and is the recommended
option to avoid security breaches while
connecting, but there are other ways to
achieve what you need without sacrificing
your company’s safety. If your company
has a remote terminal server in place
it can also serve as a good option for
remote access. A remote terminal server
is the option that entails visiting a website
(specified by your company) and logging
in with your network credentials. The only
other secure method to connect remotely
would be connecting to a digital workspace
platform. The common denominator is
having the proper IT infrastructure in place
and protocol established so that your team
knows what to do. This is a step that can
always be completed, so if you don’t have
something in place, there’s still time to
implement a plan.
Ultimately, the biggest component is
preserving the delicate balance between
work life and home. This is where good
leadership comes into play. We set the tone
for our company and for our employees
as well, so it’s up to you to model what
you want remote work to look like for
your employees. Having respect for the
work that needs to be completed, while
not taking yourself too seriously is what
makes it all worth it. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Robert Hessel at Source 1
Solutions can be contacted at (727) 538-4114
or by visiting source1solutions.com.
When adaptation is the
new normal, leaning
into fresh techniques
and adjusting to new
changes in the work environment
can sometimes feel like a disruption
in the flow of business. However,
a plan for projected changes is one
of the keys to business survival
and success. Work cultures
and employee expectations
are consistently changing and
evolving, and consideration must
be taken for the new trends in what
constitutes a great opportunity
and work situation. Specifically,
while the world is heading more
and more toward work that can be done
remotely, how do companies adjust to
creating opportunities for employee
flexibility? Working remotely is now one
of the biggest perks or conveniences that
an employer can offer, so how do you stay
in the loop without compromising the
quality of work that is being completed?
The key to transitioning employees from
in-office work to remote work is found in
the overall technological organization of
each company. Does your company utilize
a VPN client that is highly integrated with
your firewall? Is it a stand-alone client? Do
you utilize remote desktop software, or can
your software suite be accessed through a
remote terminal server? If your company
isn’t ready for remote work, a temporary
set up can be achieved with a little
assistance. By partnering with a trusted
company to ensure your success and
allowing them to manage this transition,
or by implementing a new strategy, remote
work can be achieved effectively.
In order for remote work to be conducted
without a hitch, both hardware and
software are equally important. Having
the right technology makes an exponential
difference and efforts should be made to
utilize the same software and hardware
that is being used in office. While having
all of these moving pieces in alignment
isn’t always possible, there are a few key
components with regards to hardware
and software that must be met. The first
is that your computer must be up to date,
with software patches installed, and must
be compatible with the type of work you ADVERTORIAL