Necessary Equipment for the New ‘normal’ Working

Remote Working equipment & software necessities

Decent PC Set Up

It goes without saying, if your main way of working is digital, then having a working computer is key.

Assessing whether your current computer can support your businesses software and demands can be a great way in starting to take a deeper look into your remote working setup. A great idea is to compare it to a typical office setup in your industry. How many monitors will you need? Do you have the hardware to make your work job as productive as possible? These are the questions that you can ask yourself.

You may also need to invest, or ask your employer to include a printer/scanner in your set-up, depending on the industry you are in.

VoIP - Virtual Landline

Voice over internet protocol, also known as VoIP, is not only a cost-effective means of communication, but it can also maintain your professional façade while having employees work from home. Using a virtual landline, you can use our call forwarding service, to direct calls, from your chosen virtual number and forward them to your desired contact number. This is perfect for any business as well as personal use.

If you wish to communicate with family or friends in foreign countries, you can use any local virtual number to avoid high international tariff charges.

Back-Up Drive

When working from home, there is a higher amount of uncertainty and security, the last thing you want is all your work from the past two hours to be deleted when you spill coffee on your pc or your street has a power cut. This is why it's very important to have back up drives and autosaves e.g. Microsoft documents – in the settings you can adjust to autosave every 15 or 30 minutes.

Cloud Storage

Google drives and Microsoft Teams are extremely helpful, perfect for sharing documents with colleagues.

Tools like these can help you communicate and streamline your day-to-day working. No need to fiddle about with email after email of attached files that take an age to download.

Microsoft also has other productivity tools like shared calendars to create tasks and notifications. This can help keep teams organized and in sync with their to-do lists, which in turn will keep the business running smoothly.

Security Software

While working on potentially sensitive documents from home, it is important that any virus protection and security software is up-to-date and working.

When not using your computer, remember to turn it off and for more information on cybersecurity, head to buzz wireless for this informative article.

Supportive Equipment

As some would at work, you may be spending a lot of time at a desk. It is important that you have the right set up like a comfy chair or a mouse pad with wrist support to avoid any strain.

It is also key that you take regular breaks from staring at a computer, similar to how you would at work. When working alone in your own house it would be easy to get sucked up in work, before you know it three hours of staring at a screen have passed. Whereas, in work, you would stop to make a drink or converse with a colleague, make sure to stick to these small breaks to avoid eye strain and overworking yourself.

Strong Internet Connection

There is nothing more annoying than buffering or slow internet. It has the ability to halt your productivity in one strike, as it installs anger into the best of people.

When working from home, it is imperative to acquire a means of a stable internet connection, potentially investing in boosters or alternative options like 4g routers.

Stick to your finishing time

When you plan a finishing time, be sure to stick to it. The opportunity to work late, or have a longer lunch break may seem like an easy decision, but it will just mean that you will have to work into the night and blur the line between work and home.

Using a clocking-in system, or setting alarm clocks throughout the work day, can remind you to take your lunch and breaks on time, and help you end your workday when you are contractually obligated to.

Nice Room Decor

Although it isn't essential while working, having an inviting area to work in can help keep you motivated and sane. A few houseplants or personal figurines may help warm up your desk.

Creating a warm, inviting workspace can actually help you remain motivated throughout your work day. Adding personal items such as photos, candles, wax melts and diffusers can be a great way to surround yourself with familiar smells and faces whilst working through the day.

The addition of houseplants and flowers can also increase the oxygen flow of your home office, which can improve clarity and freshness throughout the day, and help maintain humidity levels.

Home Working Equipment

There are many different ways you can improve your productivity and home office setup, but it will ultimately come down to what works best for you. If you would like to learn more about Virtual Landline's virtual phone numbers, please contact us today.