The challenge with UC: Supporting remote workers’ communications

For the past few years, unified communications have formed the cornerstone of enterprise processes. These platforms enable co-workers to connect and collaborate with each other, while ensuring that productivity among staff remains up. However, a recent study shows that although UC solutions are meant to bring employees together, this might not be the case when it comes to the remote workforce.

Research from Dell shows that a new challenge is erupting in the business sector. Thankfully, solutions from the biggest names in the tech sector — including Cisco and VMware — can help bridge these gaps and ensure collaborative communication is possible, even when employees are working outside the office.

Dell’s findings

Dell’s research results show a clear connection that businesses make between the need for UC solutions and the need to support remote employees. At the same time, however, these organizations are struggling to properly arm this section of the workforce.

Overall, Dell researchers found that the vast majority of companies — 83 percent — are expecting their remote workforce to grow this year. This will make access to UC solutions even more vital, as systems including VoIP, video conferencing, real-time messaging, file sharing and other platforms will help ensure that those working from home or other locations have access to the tools they need.

Dell also found that 95 percent of businesses “face challenges in delivering a quality UC service to their remote workers,” BetaNews reported. What’s more, almost 80 percent of IT leaders rely on UC users to make them aware of any issues with quality or performance. In this way, if users don’t report a problem, there is little chance of it being fixed.

This can cause shadow IT, or the use of unapproved tools and platforms, to creep up and cause additional security challenges. According to Dell, 77 percent of survey respondents had concerns about this type of technology usage within their business.

While enterprises are struggling to provide quality UC to their out-of-office workers, they are willing to make the necessary investment. Overall, 71 percent of corporations have increased their budgets to allow for more UC support for remote employees.

Working outside the office requires access to critical technological tools.

Trusted solutions provide the answer

This is clearly an issue facing many businesses — and with the growing remote workforce, the problem will only expand unless a solution is found. Thankfully, Cisco, VMware and others are here with trusted, proven solutions that can help ensure quality UC, even outside the office.

Cisco, a leader in unified communications, has everything your organization needs to ensure effective communication and productive collaboration. This includes industry-leading systems for calling and telephony, as well as video conferencing. In this way, employees are able to connect with one another in a secure way, and managers and executives have the visibility they need as well.

However, simply putting these tools in place isn’t enough. A cloud solution in conjunction with an application virtualization system from VMware can ensure accessibility. This way, no matter where employees work from, they can connect with the UC tools that enable them to do their jobs.

Executives don’t have to struggle with multiple vendors to get a streamlined infrastructure to support their UC and remote workforce needs. iT1 Source is a leading technology consultant and solution provider and has partnerships with the best vendors, including Dell, Cisco and VMware. To find out more, contact us today.