Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the rocket domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /var/www/rahi_io/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114
Collaboration 2023: Long-Term Strategies – Rahi
IT Infrastructure, Unified Communications

Collaboration 2023: Long-Term Strategies

By Prathamesh Rahate

January 18, 2023 - 5 min

Collaboration software became a critical investment for most companies in 2020 due to the need to support work-from-home operations. With remote and hybrid work models now the norm, tools such as messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing remain high-priority technology tools in 2023. Now, however, organizations are looking to enhance the user experience and develop secure, robust, and reliable solutions for the long term.

The sudden upheaval caused by the pandemic forced organizations to figure out remote operations as they went along. That often meant the hurried adoption of consumer-grade and cloud-based collaboration and conferencing platforms. These tools generally enabled some continuity of operations, but there were clear sacrifices in performance and security.

A fragmented collaboration environment also creates significant challenges for users. A recent study published in Harvard Business Review found that employees of Fortune 500 companies switch among various collaboration tools more than 1,200 times each day. The effort required to constantly navigate this environment saps productivity and creates “collaboration overload” that leads to burnout and turnover.

Here are some of the ways that companies can address these issues and refine their remote collaboration strategies in the coming months:

Eliminate Sprawl. Many remote employees have adopted collaboration apps without IT’s knowledge or approval, creating application sprawl that forces users to toggle among different solutions throughout the workday. In 2023, companies should take steps to standardize on a single platform. Having videos, conversations, files, tasks, calendars, images, and more accessible through a common dashboard will improve workflow management, create continuity and eliminate information silos.

Enhance Security. Vast amounts of sensitive information such as financial data, customer information, and intellectual property are exchanged in collaboration and file-sharing environments. While providers are taking steps to shore up their products, businesses must also address security, privacy, and compliance issues. Data loss prevention, content filtering, and encryption features should be installed on all employee endpoint devices to minimize the risk of data leakage.

Modernize the Network. Bandwidth consumption and resource contention can become issues with more users connecting to the corporate network remotely. That can create performance problems for latency-sensitive voice and video applications that won’t tolerate network congestion, packet loss or jitter. Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) solutions address these challenges by allowing a dynamic mix of connectivity options with automatic failover based on real-time network conditions and policy-based controls.

Focus on Quality. As remote workers flocked to video collaboration platforms, they often encountered jittery, grainy video and poor sound quality — often the product of insufficient Internet connections or poor-quality cameras and microphones built into many laptops and other endpoints. Organizations can address quality issues by buying better wireless routers, headsets, and cameras for remote workers, or reimbursing them for the costs of upgrades. Upgrading audio and video in onsite huddle rooms and meeting rooms can ensure that employees have a high-quality experience while working in the office.

Improve Manageability. Studies show that up to a third of meetings start late because participants struggle to get audio and video conferencing tools working properly. Organizations should equip meeting rooms with easy-to-use, tablet-based interfaces that control all A/V equipment. Integrating meeting management and room booking software with calendar, email, and chat functions can assist in planning and scheduling team meetings. These tools can also be used to distribute invitations and agendas, take and share notes in real-time, generate minutes, and set timers to keep meetings on track.

Investments in the digital workplace can help organizations become more agile and resilient. The A/V and collaboration experts at Rahi can help you develop a strategy for enhancing your collaboration platform to provide the long-term support the remote workforce requires.

 

Author

  • Prathamesh Rahate is a Network Engineer at Rahi. Since joining in 2019 he has been involved with delivering Professional Service projects. Starting his career as a Network Support (NOC) Engineer working on network environments like Data Centre, Campus Network & Office Networks, he has now transitioned into a Solutions Engineering role. He is part of the Pre-Sales Engineering team at Rahi. Prathamesh holds a Master’s degree from the San Jose State University majoring in Computer Networks. An avid sports fan, he enjoys Cricket, Soccer and Basketball.

, Sales Engineer

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Mar 22,2023
5 Essential Steps for a Successful Wi-Fi Upgrade

The transition to remote and hybrid work models has underscored just how dependent we’ve become on wireless...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Feb 08,2023
Haas: The Driving Force in IT Procurement

Mark Twain famously said, “The report of my death has been grossly exaggerated.” The same quote could apply to...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Jan 11,2023
Why the Cloud is Driving SD-WAN Adoption

ResearchAndMarkets.com projects that the global SD-WAN market will see a compound annual growth rate of 31.9 percent...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Nov 11,2022
Why More Organizations Are Adopting Cloud-Managed Wi-Fi

Organizations are increasingly dependent on high-speed, high-capacity wireless networks to provide users with access...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Oct 05,2022
5 Ways SD-WAN Addresses Today’s Business Challenges

Companies across all sectors of the economy have embraced digital transformation initiatives in order to accelerate...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Aug 10,2022
Improving Network Scalability and Workload Mobility with VXLAN

Virtualization, cloud, mobile, and other digital technologies have sparked immense innovation over the past decade,...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Jun 30,2022
Can Your Wi-Fi Network Support Demand as Your Team Returns to Work?

Employees returning to the office are entering a different environment than the one they left in March of 2020. There...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Apr 13,2022
WLAN Bandwidth Management Is Critical in the Era of Hybrid Work

The WLAN Upgrade Wireless LAN (WLAN) usage is rising, and many organizations’ networks are not ready to support the...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Jan 26,2022
Choosing the Right Security Tools Starts with the Right Strategy

The Right Security Tool: Why Does It Matter For Businesses? The increasing volume and sophistication of cyber threats...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Jan 19,2022
The 4 Trends in Security that You’ll Have to Look Out From this Year

How the Log4j Flaw will Increase Cyber Threats in 2022? The Log4j flaw, also known as CVE-2021-44228, is a critical...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Jan 05,2022
Rahi’s IT Predictions for 2022 and Beyond

A Look Ahead to the Future This is the time of year when industry analysts and experts make predictions about the...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Dec 16,2021
How to Design and Implement a Private Cellular Network?

What is a Private Cellular Network? In a previous post, we discussed the rapidly growing adoption of private cellular...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Dec 08,2021
Private Cellular Networks Deliver the Benefits of 5G with Greater Control

Private cellular networks: 5G and LTE Wireless carriers are touting the rollout of their 5G networks, which promises...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Oct 28,2021
​​How to Simplify and Monetize Guest Wi-Fi Access

Guest Wi-Fi has been a pain point for years. Layered security requirements, access permissions, disclaimers, and other...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Oct 28,2021
What is Orion Wireless and is it Right for My Business?

Many generations and updates to Wi-Fi technology have entered the market, but there’s none like Orion...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Oct 28,2021
What CIOs Need to Know About Adding Orion Wireless to Network Capabilities

Your email and LinkedIn are flooded with messages from sales reps wanting to pitch new products. The last several...

IT InfrastructureUnified Communications
Oct 28,2021
How to Test Orion Wireless and Get Flexible IT Procurement Options

You read articles, look at industry reviews, attend webinars and speak with different manufacturers. You think you...

Get in touch with our experts for a free 30-minute strategy
consultation

Let our experts design, develop, deploy and manage your requirements while you focus on what's important for your business

Book a Consultation
error: Content is protected !!