In the event that home working becomes necessary, here are some helpful pointers so you are ready – some need preparing now, or you may have questions that need answering, so please read carefully and contact Support if you have any queries.

Tools to be used:

• Clocking software
• Web app for accessing email
• Cloud productivity apps – CRM, HelpDesk, Messaging etc
• Shared file space in the cloud – for shared files normally accessed at the office
• VOIP phone – either via a handset or a soft client
• PC or laptop from home
• PC at the office
• Sync account on your browser(s)

Daily routine

Clocking

• As part of your duty of care to your employees, you need to know where they are and that they are safe
• A cloud based clocking system answers this requirement and can be accessed either via a web browser or a smartphone
• There are plenty out there and a Google search will provide you with many options
• As part of this, you may wish to check that any employees working from home have a suitable working space, and that the equipment they are using is fit for the job – a simple Skype of Facetime session is a quick way for you to ensure your staff have somewhere safe and suitable to work from

Email

• Ensure your employees can access company email – if you use Outlook or Exchange check out the Microsoft Mail web application
• All of the Office apps for your smartphone are free from the Apple or Google shop, so encourage staff to download and set them up in advance

Cloud productivity apps

• The current situation brings home the need for your business systems to be resilient
• To achieve this, we at Pastel-Liquid have chosen the Zoho range as our supplier day to day productivity apps – this gives us tools such as CRM for sales and marketing, Helpdesk software for the support team, Subscriptions to manage customer billings and payments, for example – over 50 apps are available
• Cliq – a Zoho internal messaging function that you can use to communicate with your colleagues – is especially useful when your staff are all working from home and they need to communicate without blocking work phone lines
• We work with one of the UK’s largest Zoho specialists and can set up a no obligation discussion with them if you wished to go over the option

Phones

• We now have 100% VOIP phones in use in our business and have successfully used them with very few problems for over 5 years now – we recommend them to everyone
• All VOIP phone systems come with a “soft client” which you install on a smartphone and this allows you to make and receive calls as though using your desk phone
• Alternatively, most VOIP phones can be taken home and plugged into your home router and will work as though sat on your desk
• Either option allows you to continue providing service and maintain your business
• We have chosen Plum Communications – https://www.plumcom.co.uk/ – as our provider for the last 5 years and they have provided us with a great service

Remote PC access

• While your staff are working at home, they may use a home PC or a laptop
• this means they may need to connect remotely to their work PC so they can obtain relevant information
• If In this case, remote connection software is needed – Zoho offer Assist which is simple to use and fast – there are many others out there also

Browser sync

• An easy piece of advice is to create a Sync Account on your browser(s) – one for each browser you use
• This saves all of your bookmarks, tabs, password and browsing history
• This means such information is available on your browser wherever you are, and keeps it in sync across all your devices
• If you are unsure of how to do this, Google it or contact our support team – there are simple to follow instructions for each of the main browsers, all of which offer a sync account function

We are happy to discuss any of the above with you at any stage – please call us on 0161 413 5070 and we will do our best to assist you.

Thank you and Good Luck