Collaborative Post¦ You’re probably reading this today because you must start working from home soon. Perhaps your boss wants everyone to spend more time working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or maybe it’s because you’re going to start a new business from home.
Whatever the reason, it makes sense to prepare your workspace and environment as much as possible before transitioning to working from home.
With that in mind, the following seven points illustrate some of the most common things you must sort out before you begin – otherwise you may come across delays or reduced productivity:
1. A Modern Computer
If you’re going to spend much of your working day using a computer, it makes sense to ensure you have the latest technology available to you. Firstly, a modern computer can run all the latest software titles with ease.
Secondly, a system with a good specification will execute tasks quickly, making you more productive and efficient with your work. Lastly, it will be easier to collaborate with other people remotely, such as teammates or clients.
It’s a good idea to opt for a desktop system as they can get upgraded with ease, whereas laptops have limited upgrade routes.
2. High-Speed Internet Access
If you’re going to work from home, it makes sense to have high-speed Internet access. Before I began working from home a few years ago, I was sure to test my internet speed beforehand. It was a good job I did, as it wasn’t very good. This would have been a real problem in Teams calls with screen sharing.
These days, such services are very affordable and your home can likely get a high-speed Internet connection through your BT landline, meaning you don’t need to invest in cable Internet access from Virgin Media, for instance.
When you look at websites like BT Broadband, you can usually run an online test to determine the likely download speed on your line. The type of connection you get will depend on your usage of the Internet.
For example, if you’re going to download and upload large artwork files, a fibre-optic connection makes sense compared with a slower ADSL2+ connection.
3. IT Support
What will you do if you ever encounter a problem with your computer or Internet connection? If you have a knowledgeable IT person in your home, such as a spouse, partner, or family member, you can probably turn to them for help.
However, if you don’t, and you don’t have the luxury of a company IT department if you’re working for yourself, it makes sense to use an IT services company and have them provide you with the support you need.
An IT firm isn’t just there for when things go wrong. They can also maintain your IT infrastructure at home, even if it’s just one PC and an Internet connection.
4. VoIP Phone
How will you handle phone calls? These days, it’s easy enough to give out your mobile number to customers or colleagues. But, a more professional solution would be to invest in a VoIP phone setup.
In a nutshell, you’ve got a telephone number that you can route to an Internet-connect VoIP phone, and because of how it works, you can take it with you anywhere in the world and still have a “local” presence to customers and co-workers.
5. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
As much as people don’t want to admit it, power cuts sometimes happen, and they can spell disaster if those individuals were in the midst of doing some work on their computers.
For a start, any unsaved data will likely be lost forever. What’s more, permanent damage could have occurred to any number of the computer’s internal components, resulting in sometimes expensive repairs.
That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in a UPS or Uninterruptible Power Supply. Whenever a power cut occurs, your UPS will automatically provide battery power to your computer and give you enough time to save your work and shut down your system safely.
6. Ergonomic Chair
When you’re sitting at a desk using your computer for work for most of the day, you want to be sitting in a comfortable chair. The last thing you want to do is experience back and neck pains due to a poorly-designed seating posture.
That’s why you need to invest in an ergonomic chair that will support your body and provide maximum comfort while you work.
7. Dual-Monitor Setup
Finally, the cost of monitors is so low nowadays that it makes perfect sense to have a dual-monitor setup. Doing so helps you better organise your work and means you can have a better-structured working day.
It’s also simple enough to connect two monitors to your computer; all you need to worry about is their placement on your desk!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.