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Hybrid Workplace Guide

Hybrid Workplace Tools from Microsoft for Hybrid and Remote WorkforcesMoving to the Cloud with Secure Hybrid Workplace Transitions

Hybrid workplace transitions are happening all around us.  Fresh on the heels of emergency remote setup comes a mixed relationship of off and on-site concerns.  While moving to the cloud is an excellent way to provide functionality and access to employees anywhere and everywhere, there’s no guarantee security processes won’t be compromised.  By using best of brand software, applications and tools, stakeholders and managers alike can rest assured their cloud strategy holds true.   Check here for a deeper dive on Microsoft Intune, Mobile Device Management and Mobile App Management.

One area of concern largely unaddressed is with mobile device management and application use on company hardware.  As you will see, Microsoft Intune provides complete control and management just as you’d expect from the leading provider of enterprise level software and cloud services.  This of course, works hand in hand with Microsoft Teams, providing a secure and feature rich environment for hybrid workplace transitions in collaboration and communication.  

Secure Hybrid Workplaces and Mobile Device Management Policies

Hybrid Workplace Transitions with Microsoft Intune for Securing Mobile Device Policies

Intune security user typing login and password, cyber security concept, data protection and secured internet access, cybersecurityNew methods of accessing company information and resources without sacrificing security are paramount in hybrid workplace modification.   

Just as Microsoft Teams has filled the collaboration and communications needs for hybrid workforces, Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that focuses on hybrid workplaces, with mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM).  

With Intune, the user controls how your organization’s devices are used, including mobile phones, tablets, and laptops. You can also configure specific policies to control applications. For example, you can prevent emails from being sent to people outside your organization. Intune also allows people in your organization to use their personal devices for school or work.  

On personal devices, Intune helps make sure your organization data stays protected, and can isolate organization data from personal data. Intune is part of Microsoft’s Enterprise Mobility and Security (EMS) suite and fully integrates with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to control who has access, and what to.  Intune also integrates with Azure for data protection. It can be used with the Microsoft 365 suite of products, and you can deploy Microsoft Teams, OneNote, and other Microsoft 365 apps to devices. 

With Intune, users manage devices using an approach that’s right for them.  For organization-owned devices, you may want full control on the devices, including settings, features, and security. In this approach, devices and users of these devices “enroll” in Intune. Once enrolled, they receive your rules and settings through policies configured in Intune.  For more information on the value and necessity of Mobile Device/App Management, visit the Microsoft Intune page directly.

With Microsoft Intune for Mobile Device Management, You Can: 

  • Choose to be 100% Cloud or be Co-managed.  
  • Set rules and configure settings on personal and organization-owned devices to access data and networks. 
  • Deploy and authenticate apps on devices –on-premises and mobile. 
  • Protect your company information by controlling the way users access and share information. 
  • Be sure devices and apps are compliant with your security requirements.  

Teams and Intune form the Hybrid Workplace Transitions Solution!

Microsoft Teams and Intune for secure communication and collaboration in the hybrid workplace.Video is the core connective tissue for organizations to enable hybrid work.  Video conferencing and online collaboration quickly became paramount as organizations of all sizes, across all sectors, quickly deployed new collaboration technology or built upon their existing technology.   

Initially, the focus was on determining what foundation could provide a uniform communications experience.  What could ensure communication channels remained open and worked for both the small minority still in the physical workplace (those in certain job roles and sectors) and the vast majority working remotely?  Is that even possible? 

As the pandemic continued, companies accelerated their plans drastically and the consensus, based on immediate growth and market penetration showed incredible advancements by Microsoft, particularly through their Teams platform.   

According to Microsoft, Teams advanced digital transformation so much, that two years’ worth occurred in just under two months!  The daily usage of  Teams doubled… multiple times.  Currently, the daily active usage of Teams has increased over 230% over the last year, with a base of 145 million daily users who praise the platform ability to communicate and collaborate across entire organizations. 

Hybrid Workforce Transitions – Unified Communication and Technical Equality 

IT Staff Augmentation Support for MSPs and Tier 3 Technical Support, augmented staffing for tech. Teams is a leading meeting, organization and communications platform that additionally allows for chat, file sharing, storage, and calendars. This is well beyond the ability to have HD video and voice call meetings. It is fully integrated with the 365 Suite of programs and supports a full spectrum of unified communication needs. From small internal meetings to large virtual events, MS Teams will easily organize and conduct meetings and even interactive webinars for people with up to as many as 1,000 attendees. 

The richness of features provided by Teams can include end-to-end experiences—like custom registration, rich presentation options, host controls and post-event reporting. Teams has now introduced more than 100 new features over the past year, all built with flexibility. 

Industry opinion is that Microsoft Teams responded and earned their spot as the leader to provide for real time collaboration. As video is THE main function enabling hybrid work, Teams provides reliability and crystal-clear HD audio and video, which provides the ability to note body language when communicating. 

Teams can now also be used in Telephony, further unifying an organizations communications platform, and providing enormous benefits enterprise-wide. 

Now we know the deep connection video can provide. And we know that employee expectations have shifted. We know that remote work can be as, if not more, productive than being in-office. And we know that employers need to pay attention to both maintain employee productivity, and to continue to retain and recruit top talent.