In a hybrid workplace, information technology (IT) infrastructure is not only used for the traditional purpose of providing access to services like email, document collaboration, and cloud-based applications. It is also used for more advanced IT functions, such as virtualization and machine learning. However, to effectively manage this type of environment, you must be able to integrate your existing systems with new technologies that can help improve productivity.
This guide highlights vital points you should consider when implementing a hybrid IT strategy.
- Establish an IT Team
An IT team is the backbone of any company, and it’s even more critical in a hybrid workplace. Your IT team needs to communicate effectively with other parts of your organization. They need to understand how their work affects the rest of the business. And they need to be able to work together effectively.
When building an IT team, you must determine whether you want staff augmentation or managed services. Staff augmentation is when you hire someone full-time who works exclusively on IT projects for your company, from procurement to delivery. On the other hand, managed services are more like having a consultant on retainer who can address specific needs and issues as they arise.
Either way, you must clearly understand what type of service level agreement (SLA) will best meet your needs and budget before hiring someone full-time or retaining them as a consultant. You can read articles about choosing managed IT services vs IT staff augmentation. This way, you can assess which option best fits your hybrid workplace.
- Create An IT Roadmap
The next step is creating an IT roadmap that outlines the goals, milestones, and activities needed to achieve your strategic objectives. This document provides an overview of the organizational needs and your company’s IT capabilities. This will help you understand how your IT infrastructure supports your business and how it needs to be managed to ensure a successful hybrid workplace.
When developing an IT roadmap, you must define your strategic objectives. This will help you determine which technology needs to be addressed and how it should be implemented. For example, suppose your company is growing in a highly competitive market or wants to improve its customer service experience. In that case, you need to focus on specific areas that require an overhaul.
- Ensure All Devices Are Equipped With Antivirus Software
A good cybersecurity strategy to protect your network from viruses and malware is using up-to-date antivirus software. This can be installed on your devices, including desktops and laptops. You must install this software across all devices and the network, as it will detect threats at all levels of the network.
It’s also a good idea to run this software on each device at least once per month, checking for updates and ensuring that it is up to date. A good antivirus program will also have an auto-update feature that will alert users when new updates are available. This way, if a hybrid user finds something suspicious on their computer or device, they can click a few buttons and fix the issue without contacting IT or support staff.
- Consider Adding More Servers And Storage Devices
A traditional company would have one central storage area for all employees’ files and documents. But if you’re moving toward a hybrid workplace and want everyone in your office to have access, you must ensure everyone has their own storage space and network connection. You must consider investing in additional servers and storage devices, so your team can save their work on these devices instead of transferring them back and forth across the office.
When adding servers and storage devices, consider installing a dedicated server for each user account that needs to be maintained by the IT department. This will allow each user to have their own space to store all their documents.
In addition, you can also add backup software that allows users to back up their files locally or remotely over the internet. For instance, you may invest in cloud-based backup services so users can easily save their documents online for easy access from any computer or mobile device.
- Build Redundancy Into Your Network Architecture
Building redundancy into your network architecture is crucial to creating a solid hybrid IT infrastructure. This means creating multiple paths between servers, workstations, and storage devices so that if one path fails, other avenues are still available for communication.
An excellent way to build redundancy into your network architecture is using multiple data centers interconnected with high-speed connections. If a disaster occurs at one data center, another can continue operations without interruption. This redundancy will also ensure that you have enough capacity as your business grows or the demand for resources increases.
Key Takeaway
So, now that you know the basics of creating a sustainable and effective IT infrastructure, the next step is to get started. While planning and implementing an IT infrastructure can seem like a lot of work, this information is essential to your business’s long-term health as you adopt a hybrid workforce. These insights can make this process as seamless as possible for your organization.
