Criticisms of the Hybrid Workplace (and How to Resolve Them)

The world of business has undergone rapid transformation in recent times – and while many businesses are seeing the considerable benefits of a hybrid workforce, some companies are struggling to properly meet all of their employee’s needs.

“Many companies cannot cope with the challenges of the new world of work,” explains Karin Daher, General Manager at Apogee Germany. “They should listen to their employees and take their criticisms seriously. If the problems cannot be solved internally, outsourcing certain tasks to external service providers is recommended.”

As a Managed Workplace Services (MWS) provider, Apogee identifies three areas it can give businesses a helping hand:

Providing optimal hardware

Despite the many inefficiencies this creates for employees, companies commonly opt for the immediately cheaper route of purchasing desktop computers over laptops and mobile devices. However, even when laptops and mobile devices are purchased, necessary measures for offsite working are often lacking - such as security settings, VPN connection to the corporate network, and appropriate drivers for peripheral devices such as printers. It’s no wonder, then, that employees may be dissatisfied with working conditions at home; which highlights just how important it is to equip your staff with optimal hardware.

Engaging with a Managed IT Service (MITS) is a clear solution to each of these problems. For one, companies can lease a scalable number of sophisticated devices through a DaaS solution, all consolidated under consistently priced payment instalments – which, when combined with the many other support features offered by a provider such as Apogee, far exceed the benefits of purchasing devices directly. Additional services include general maintenance support, but a Managed IT Service also includes Imaging Services – meaning that devices can be configured to your company’s exact specifications before they are deployed to staff.

With a Managed IT Service (MITS), your hybrid workers no longer need to struggle around lacklustre hardware which has been purchased for cost reasons rather than performance. Instead, they will be equipped with technology that will allow them to carry out tasks easily and effectively - whether at the office, or in the comfort of their own home.

Environmental protection and “green” solutions

Another common criticism amongst workers is the lack of environmental concern when purchasing new devices that are suitable for hybrid working.  This particularly applies to the practices of disposing of the previous equipment; since this process needs to adhere to specific requirements.

Since many companies will have to make the transition to hybrid work sooner or later, it is advisable to engage with a Managed IT Service (MITS) that provides energy-efficient equipment.  As a subsidiary of HP Inc., Apogee’s are able to provide devices from a leading manufacturer that are ideal for hybrid workers – but, additionally, also offer a Data Sanitisation service, which assures that your redundant equipment has been disposed of correctly and responsibly.

While on the subject of environmentally friendly solutions, Apogee’s Managed Print Service (MPS) clients are able to enrol in PrintReleaf, a platform that converts paper printed into reforested trees. PrintReleaf can make up a significant part of a sustainable printing strategy; and give employees and other stakeholders the assurance that your organisation is environmentally conscious.

Technical support

A recent survey of 2000 professionals by Apogee found that around 19% do not know where to turn for technical support. This alarmingly high percentage clearly shows the urgent need for specialist staff or external service providers – since in order for a hybrid working model to be incorporated successfully, employees must be able to rely on responsive tech support, whether working in or outside of the office. However, internal technical support can be difficult to co-ordinate responsively, especially with many employees working from home.

As a provider of Managed Workplace Services (MWS), Apogee clients gain access to ongoing support, manned by a team of experienced IT experts. Able to proactively monitor the status of client devices, the Apogee support team are generally able to detect and resolve most issues remotely – with more exceptional technical issues being dealt with on the same day by our network of nationwide engineers.

This feature of Apogee’s Managed IT Services (MITS) not only removes the burden of technical support from your IT department –but best of all, this service is already included within the price of a MITS solution; meaning that companies no longer need to keep funds in reserve in case of more stubborn technical issues.

Ultimately, criticisms from employees is to be expected whenever big changes are made – but it is important to note that hybrid working can bring extensive benefits to businesses, so long as they have access to resources that allow them to implement it properly.  Apogee’s Managed IT Services (MITS) solution is an easy avenue to solving most of the common issues prevalent today – and may even put you in a good position to deal with the next big shake-up.

For more information on how our Managed IT Services (MITS) can ease your transition to a hybrid working model, contact us here or fill out the form below.