Summary:
The way we work has changed, and your IT infrastructure should reflect your teams’ new needs, especially if you operate on a hybrid or remote model. Learn how to choose solutions that keep you connected, streamline communication and keep your business secure.
According to WFH Research, 41% of American workers have a hybrid arrangement or are fully remote. That means millions of workers and companies need IT infrastructure that supports distributed teams.
IT infrastructure comprises hardware, software, networking solutions, operating systems (OS), data storage and more. It allows you to operate smoothly, ensure business continuity across locations and teams, and stay competitive in your industry.
Here are a few factors to consider as you shop for IT solutions to fit your business needs
On-premises vs. cloud computing
Companies have two main choices when it comes to IT infrastructure: on-premises and cloud computing. Each comes with its own advantages and challenges, especially for hybrid and remote teams.
Here are some of the pros and cons of on-premises solutions.
PROs:
- More control over hardware and software
- Ability to build a customized infrastructure
- Performance optimization
CONs:
- High costs and maintenance
- Limited scalability, accessibility and flexibility
- Requires in-house expertise
On-premises solutions can also raise business continuity concerns. Not only do they require redundant access, but they also need backup server and data capabilities, as well as additional power via backup generators — a significant investment.
Cloud computing, a modern and increasingly popular solution, uses remote-hosted servers to manage and store data. Private connections to cloud service providers (CSPs), such as Windstream Cloud Connect, offer better security than a simple Internet connection.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of cloud computing.
PROs:
- Increased scalability and flexibility for remote work
- Low upfront investment
- Up-to-date security
- Seamless collaboration and application integrations, enhancing productivity
- Streamlined business continuity with 24/7 support from experts
CONs:
- Less control over infrastructure solutions
- Less performance variability and customization
Some companies opt for a third choice: hybrid solutions. Hybrid infrastructure combines the flexibility and accessibility of cloud services with the control and customization of on-premises resources — potentially the best of both worlds.
There’s no one right choice here — it all depends on your specific business needs. So look for solutions that support the way your teams work and maximize the advantages of on-premises and cloud.
Communicating across locations
Changing communication channels means there’s a growing need for solutions that support synchronous and asynchronous communication.
One that’s seen a lot of growth in recent years is Unified Communication as a Service (UCaaS). A location and device-agnostic solution, UCaaS marries unified communication tools, such as VoIP, chat, document or screen sharing and videoconferencing, with cloud computing technology.
It streamlines collaboration among in-office, hybrid and remote teams and allows them to respond promptly to customer needs, enhancing the customer experience. UCaaS also secures your contact center and other sensitive data and offers high availability in case of a disaster or outage.
Examples of UCaaS solutions include Microsoft Teams and Cisco WebEx Suite.
A successful IT infrastructure for remote and hybrid work supports integrations with productivity-focused apps like Google Workspace, Salesforce and HubSpot for smoother business operations across locations. As you consider your options, prioritize IT solutions that offer multichannel communication and keep customer data accessible.
Staying secure
Distributed teams come with additional security considerations. Companies with hybrid workers, for example, need to manage security from both on and offsite access points. Remote teams often require an infrastructure that is fully secure and accessible offsite.
Here are some of the top ways to manage security with a distributed team:
- Software-Defined Wide-Area Network (SD-WAN): A resilient network with private connectivity through a managed service provider (MSP), SD-WAN creates a single virtual, secure portal for all work locations.
- IT Managed Services: An ideal option for organizations with lean IT teams that require customized and fully managed network and security solutions for a work-from-anywhere environment. IT managed service providers typically design, implement and continuously monitor your network and security technologies.
- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE): SASE brings cloud networking and security together, replacing VPNs for greater scalability, availability, performance and security connectivity for work-anywhere environments. This advanced framework uses features like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to support remote access, comply with security regulations and enforce organizational security policies.
Other SASE security features include Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker, firewall as a service (FWaaS) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
Whichever option you choose, the key is to ensure that your IT infrastructure includes security solutions that protect your business and employees, wherever they are.
A Trusted Partner for IT Infrastructure
Your IT infrastructure should support your teams effectively, whether they work in the office, from home or both. As you dig deeper into your options, don’t just consider the type of infrastructure you want but also who powers and manages it.
A good IT partner can give you the flexibility, communication tools and security you need to scale successfully.
Windstream offers a variety of IT infrastructure solutions, from IT Managed Services to SD-WAN, SASE, UCaaS and more. We understand the needs of the modern workplace, and we’re ready to deliver the solutions you need to keep your operations secure and running smoothly.
