Is your business ready for a remote workforce? RealCom provides the telecom expense management tools your business needs. Get started today.
Is Working Remotely the New Normal?
Based on labor data, Tech Republic estimates that just 29% of workers can do their jobs remotely. Many of those who do work from home face slower connections and may not have access to enterprise-level systems they are accustomed to while in the office. This includes Telecom expense management (TEM) systems.
Employers are struggling to expand their work-from-home policies to include as many employees as possible. It may be a good time for company leaders to invest in automated solutions that make this process go more smoothly.
This blog looks more closely at the challenges of working from home during the coronavirus pandemic and discusses the benefits of working with reliable ERP systems during critical month-end timelines.
Things to Consider for Expanded WFH Policies
Making the Decision
The following steps can guide employers in deciding whether to implement work-from-home policies:
- Review existing resources and client agreements to decide whether remote work is feasible.
- Have a plan in place for communications, resources, and expense reimbursement.
- Review insurance policies such as employee benefits and workers compensation agreements to weigh your liabilities and obligations.
- Stay flexible and open to out-of-the-box solutions.
Confirm That Your IT Infrastructure Can Handle Remote Work
Start by addressing the equipment and systems needed by remote employees not prepared to work from home.
- Beef up helpdesk capacity to support remote workers.
- Review security and any bring your own device (BYOD) policies.
Communicate Clearly and Often
Company leaders must keep critical lines of communication open for employees. Examine existing policies and be prepared to implement new ones. Business continuity, cybersecurity, and BYOD policies must be clear to make remote work as secure and productive as possible.
Keep the following tips in mind when establishing communications practices:
- Keep managers on the same page to ensure consistent policy applications.
- Provide clear instructions for system access.
- Distribute tips for a safe “workspace.”
- Be understanding and solutions-oriented.
Ensure Data Security
Work-from-home policies should be consistent with your organization’s written IT security program. This ensures the safe access, storage, and dissemination of confidential business data.
Key safeguards include:
- Requiring VPN access only for secure connections
- Implementing two-factor authentication
- Providing secure laptops to employees
Communicate critical reminders about handling confidential information including:
- Types of business and personal information that should be protected
- Minimum security rule, which states employees should use the minimum information necessary to complete their tasks
- Being aware of email phishing attacks, particularly those using COVID-19 as bait
- Saving company data only on secure networks, not unsecured personal devices
- Avoid printing sensitive materials at home or sending them via personal email.
Choose Reliable Tools, Including Automated TEM Systems
Working from home is much simpler if your company already has reliable Enterprise Resource Planning tools. RealCom Solutions’s software developers have built the Streamline TEM software to address telecom expense management tasks. The platform receives continuous enhancements as a response to customer requests. Streamline offers SOC II certification credentials to meet clients’ security needs.
Here are the top reasons to make Streamline part of your remote work strategy:
- Scalability – Permission-based access for users
- Integration – Manage wirelines, mobile assets, servers and data from the same place. Streamline interfaces with accounts payable systems for easy bill management.
- Web-Based – Easy-access platform is easy to deploy.
Features – Inventory management, invoice payment, reporting, and cost allocation.
How Does This Shorten the Month-End Timeline?
When it comes to validating and analyzing telecom expenses, there’s a lot of information and dense reporting to comb through for many companies. This makes remote work more challenging for telecom expense analysts responsible for signing off on month-end expenses.
TEM systems automate expenses coming from different source systems and provide reports that alert stakeholders of variances and trends. Having key data points available at the click of a button certainly streamlines month-end processes for remote employees in these uncertain times.
Contact RealCom Solutions today for more information on how our Streamline TEM solutions can help your company clear the books faster during the month end.
