Preparing your IT for Coronavirus.

Posted 28th February 2020

With the news that coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has reached Italy with 132 confirmed cases, businesses now need to start considering how an outbreak in Europe will affect their operations.

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has previously never been identified in humans. This means that we don’t have a built-up immunity to it. The risk of similar clusters to the one in Italy happening across the EU/EEA and UK are currently considered to be moderate to high, so it makes sense to build a contingency plan should the UK become more seriously affected.

As COVID-19 spreads there could be some potentially significant impacts on workforces. Current advice is for anyone returning from an infected area or displaying symptoms to call NHS 111 and place themselves in quarantine for 14 days. For businesses, losing key staff could be potentially detrimental. Here are a few things you can do to prepare, hopefully reducing any potential impact.

Enable remote working

You may find that some of your team may need to stay home for a period of time in order to quarantine themselves. This could have a significant impact on your business’ continuity. Using a platform such as Office365 and Sharepoint provides the opportunity for your team to carry on working even if they are at home or stranded somewhere. Has your business thought about testing this remote working concept, before you need too?

Embrace Cloud Solutions

You could also consider implementing a Cloud Solution which can be designed to fit the needs of your business and your workforce. LP Networks range of Cloud Solutions can include VOIP calling (so your customers can still get in touch), hosted desktops, website hosting and secure workplace folders.

Use Microsoft Teams for communication

If some of your team members do end up having to work remotely, Microsoft Teams maybe the right tool to help them stay in touch with the rest of the office. Aside from providing a direct route of communication between employees. Within Teams it’s very easy to modify group memberships, therefore if there is a need for covering a job function, members can be added promptly, and easily pick up work and conversations from other colleagues.

Train staff

It’s also a good idea to train staff members up so they can jump into other job roles. Improving transferable skills not only improves staff morale, but also helps you to run your business with a potential skeleton team.

It’s worth noting that these suggestions will also cover your business in the event of natural disasters, poor weather, and travel disruption.

If you feel your company needs to undergo a digital transformation, contact our team today.