Hottest Technology Trends for Remote Teams

Remote work is here and it’s not going away anytime soon. What started as a necessary measure following the COVID-19 outbreak, became a global trend. 

As of now, almost 60% of U.S. employees are working either fully or partially remote, and experts say this share will only grow in the future. 

How will this paradigm shift affect businesses? What are the new factors that will change the way we work? Let’s find out!

Cloud Instruments on the Rise

With more demand for accessibility, cloud services have become a new standard. SaaS tools and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions make it much easier to manage remote teams.  

Countless possibilities offered by cloud platforms mean the need for on-site infrastructure is dwindling. Spending money on managing servers and in-house IT specialists starts looking like unnecessary expenses to business owners. 

Of course, on-premises server rooms will not go completely obsolete. Some businesses will use them for private clouds, others will choose to work in an old-fashioned way to ensure maximum security. Yet the trend is clear: public cloud usage is projected to continue growing rapidly in the next few years.

Cybersecurity Demand is Higher than Ever

Creating a secure environment for a remote team is a must. People tend to be less careful when they work at home. They may be more susceptible to different kinds of threats from malware and phishing to social engineering.

Some of these threats can be mitigated by using VPNs and secure virtual workplaces, but the human factor shouldn’t be underestimated. In the home environment, the line between personal and corporative space is blurred. 

Some employees prefer to use personal devices to perform work tasks; others share sensitive information using public messengers and services like Dropbox instead of certified ones.

Specialized security software that monitors work activity is already available, but there is no way to ensure 100% security unless the employees themselves understand its importance. That’s why cyber security education and training will play a vital part in minimizing the risk and aftermath of possible cyberattacks. 

AI-Powered Assistance Improves Effectiveness

This trend may only be starting, but it’s already a hot topic in the IT expert community. AI-powered tools will continue to be a game-changer in the nearest future. One example is a chatbot that serves as a helpdesk and provides employees with quick solutions to problems. 

Wearable AI accessories help to keep employees’ work-life balance and monitor their health status predicting possible conditions. AI-assisted tools can help managers evaluate employees’ effectiveness and KPIs. And AI already helps to improve video calls by improving visuals and sound quality.

Workflows are Vital

Processes are important for any business regardless of the employment scheme it uses. However, when it comes to remote teams, workflows must be as streamlined as possible: with employees scattered around the globe, any hiccup can end up in huge time and money losses. 

Managing remote teams requires a different approach and specialized software. Numerous tools address this problem including task managers, time trackers, connectivity tools, etc. Mundane task automation is another way to simplify and streamline remote work processes saving employees’ time and increasing their productivity.

Virtual Team Building 

Remote work generally makes employees happier, but at the same time they face multiple challenges, according to Buffer research:

With loneliness and communication being the main struggles, the importance of virtual team building is obvious. It’s hard to feel like a part of a team when you’ve never met your colleagues in person.

New tech can provide solutions for these issues… 

• VR tools may be used for virtual informal meetings
• Gamification and friendly competition can be implemented to increase workers’ engagement
• Innovative onboarding practices can ensure a new employee does not feel disconnected from the rest of the team right from the start

All these instruments are evolving right now, and we will see their impact in the following years as the remote workforce share continues to grow.

Does Your Remote Team Fulfill Their Potential?

We’ve vetted a variety of cloud and security products and processes to increase your remote employees’ productivity and satisfaction.

CompleteCloud and AI Solutions 

CompleteCloud powered by Avatara is an all-inclusive offering that is particularly well suited for companies with compliance concerns and CAD users.

It comes with a built-in set of security tools including email and network security and a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC).

On top of that, we’ve implemented advanced security tools such as Saaslio, NovaSOC, and Cyber Crucible.

AI assistant Ava is a part of the CompleteCloud solution that identifies potential issues and reports back for proactive resolutions. It also offers workers productivity and security risks reports.

Technical Alignment Process

Another way to increase remote team productivity is Brightworks Group’s Technical Alignment process. It helps companies to regularly examine and update their technology-related processes and workflows. 

Streamlined work with streamlined processes and no technology-related disruption means happier employees which leads to increase in worker retention. 

Technical Alignment also plays an important part in new remote workers onboarding. It helps to make it smooth and ensures that technology hiccups don’t interfere with that essential first impression. 

Interested in our services? Reach out and let’s discuss how we can help your business!