As we inch closer to Christmas, the weather is becoming more and more unpredictable. For those commuting, the conditions pose a serious problem. Whether it's floods, high winds, snow or ice, on some days it may be difficult to just get out of your driveway.
On those days, it's imperative that your business has a bad weather plan in place. With a well prepared bad weather plan, your business can function as normal regardless of the conditions outside.
Primarily, you need to consider what services your business must always be able to provide. For most office based companies, each employee needs a way to contact other employees, a computer that can access the business' internal systems and a way for customers to contact them.
All of these things can be done remotely, with the right software and preparation - allowing your employees to work from home when the weather prevents them getting to the office.
1. Everyone needs a computer they can take with them
Each employee needs to be able to access their documents, emails and any internal business processes when they work remotely. We make sure that every employee has a laptop, and encourage them to take it home with them during the winter months.
2. Customers still need to be able to get in touch
For customers to contact your employees by phone when they are working remotely, you need a system which supports Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP technology.
This allows users to load up a virtual handset from a computer at home. They can then send and receive calls from customers right from their machine, just as if they were in the office.
3. Employees need access to any central systems
Your business' systems can be accessed by employees working remotely if they use a VPN. This is a Virtual Private Network, and is really easy to set up - you don't need any specialist equipment or advanced IT know-how.
A VPN means that employees aren't restricted to online applications when they are working from home. Anyone working remotely just needs an internet connection, and they can access all of the same systems and operations that they could sitting in the office.
4. Make sure that everything works!
Once all of these are in place, its important that employees try working from home before they absolutely need to. This way you can fix any problems before the bad weather hits, so your business doesn't take a hit too. Also, consider keeping these essentials in your car - just in case.
Transcendit can help your business set up a bad weather plan. For more information, contact us at 0191 482 0444.
