The Tabush Group Support Team is seeing many common issues from our clients who are all transitioning to working from home. The following are some recommendations to ensure a good IT setup when working from home.
- Ensure that your local PC has basic antivirus/malware in place.
- Stream video or music from a different device than you are working remotely on, as they can slow your device down. Instead, your smartphone with a Bluetooth speaker works great!
- If possible, connect your PC/laptop to the internet directly (i.e. your router), using an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi is great, but wired is still best.
- If possible, connect all peripheral devices, like printers/scanners and webcams, using cables directly to your PC/laptop.
- If you are using a laptop or MacBook, consider using a full keyboard and mouse. It is much more comfortable! A laptop stand and monitors are also helpful.
- If possible, use a Windows laptop/desktop to connect to a Windows remote access system. This means it is ideal to use a Windows computer if you’re using LogMeIn or Remote Desktop to connect to your office PC. The same is true if connecting to a Remote Desktop Server or a Citrix server via VPN and client.
- Many firms leverage cloud phone systems, and most allow for the installation of a phone app on on your smartphone or laptop/desktop. These apps enable you to make and receive calls from your office phone number/ext.
- Get a Bluetooth headset to make all those calls hands free from your smartphone.
- Keep meetings face-to-face by leveraging a web conferencing platform. Zoom (www.zoom.com) is allowing 40-minute meetings for free.
- Have more conversations and send fewer emails by leveraging a messengering platform, such as Slack, MS Teams, or Skype.
